UK Digital Economy Crucible 2017 is coming near you…

By Tashi Gyaltsen, CHERISH-DE Project Officer

On the road…

I am thrilled we are launching the campaign for UK Digital Economy Crucible 2017. We are starting our promotional event at Newcastle University on 14^th November followed by University of Stirling on 24^th November, University of Nottingham on 8th December, and UCL on 20th Jan 2017. We are currently looking at other venues, including The Alan Turing Institute, Southampton, Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Ulster in the coming months. We will update the locations and dates on our blog and on Twitter when they are confirmed.

Looking at 2017…

This is our second year, and we are passionate about making UK Digital Economy Crucible bigger and better. We are looking for enthusiastic and ambitious researchers/lecturers (1-7 years since completing PhD) from diverse backgrounds from all UK universities. We will kick-off the residential skills lab in our hometown Swansea on 18th and 19th of May 2017, followed by Edinburgh on 22nd and 23th of June, and complete the programme in London on 27th and 28th July. We will build on the many positives and learn from our challenges from 2016 to ensure UK Digital Economy Crucible 2017 is even more immersive and collaborative. To reinforce our community of dedicated digital researchers, we will also be holding an Alumni gathering on  November 3rd, 2017 where the Crucible participants can catch up, discuss further collaborations and emerging opportunities, and pitch for seedcorn research funding available to them.

UK Digital Economy Crucible is for all disciplines…

Digital Economy is essentially an economy that is powered by interactions and transactions that is done on digital computing technologies. It is all around us and embedded in almost everything we do these days. Contrary to common belief, the development of digital economy does not entirely fall on computer science. Far from it, and more importantly, it needs the research, expertise and collaboration from diverse disciplines, including engineering, social and human sciences, media, arts & humanities, law and criminology, business management, maths and biology. The ultimate aim of the CHERISH-DE is to make a real difference to people’s lives, and we can only achieve it through interdisciplinary effort that captures many aspects of our lives. This is where the UK Digital Economy Crucible comes in and offers that unique platform for researchers/lecturers to get together in a series of skills labs, acquire leadership skills in their careers, and collaborate on innovative research ideas. The programme also provides exclusive opportunity to interact with distinguished speakers in the field of digital economy and other crucial actors such as media, industry, general public, funding councils and Parliament.

And some tips…

It will be highly competitive to get a place on the programme this year. And I hope some tips may help you put in a strong application. First of all, write your application in plain language as our review panel will consist of people from different backgrounds. Stick to the criteria as marking on each question will be based on them, and bear in mind that the purpose of the Crucible programme and CHERISH-DE is to work together to enrich people’s lives through practical innovation of technology. So be clear about how your research can help and its potential of achieving greater impact through collaboration and use of technology. And finally, it is highly recommended that you read up on Digital Economy from sources such as EPSRC, UK Parliament, UK Government and CHERISH-DE website before starting your application. If you have any questions or concerns about eligibility, process or application, please do not hesitate to get in touch (tashi.gyaltsen@swansea.ac.uk).

Good luck and hope to see you soon!