Digital Futures: Knowledge Networks for Creative Industries. This is a presentation given to the CREATE group at Manchester Metropolitan University. The theme was to explore the potential for a Greater Manchester network of research in education, technology and digital cultures. The presentation showcases work by colleagues across BBC from R&D, Innovation Culture, Learning Innovation and Bitesize.

1. Digital Futures: Knowledge Networks for Creative Industries Dr Adrian Woolard October 2009

2. Most modern technology is created by bringing together & developing capabilities which already exist… The genius lies in the way they are brought together & improved. Lord A. Broers Triumph of Technology, 2005 Reith Lectures

6. CC flickr user: edward@debian.org

12. Learning Open Air (Beta)

16. Deeper reflection than market research

17. Make research more accessible beyond organisation

19. You waste money on market research & consultants but we already know the answer to your questions – you just don’t ask! Unnamed AHRC Research Lead, Knowledge Summit 2006

20. 8 steps… Explore the possibility – what could it mean for the ‘end user’? Run summits – events, gatherings, network Consultation across all relevant groups Formalise – legal, funding & peer review Support programmes properly Keep something back for emerging opportunities Communicate – innovate the medium Reflect well

21. 8 outputs… Alone Together? Social Learning in BBC Blast A Public Voice - Access, Digital Story and Interactive Narrative Inhibited Exploration in Older Customers of Digital Services Listener Online Engagement with BBC Radio Programming The Miners' Strike - A Case Study in Regional Content UGC at the BBC – Understanding its impact upon contributors, non-contributors and BBC News Virtual Worlds - An Overview and Study of BBC Children's Adventure Rock What do Children Want from the BBC? Children’s Content in an Age of Citizen Media

22. SOCIABLE Self- stampers Social Climbers Life-system builders Fighters Nurturers Collector-consumers Power users Explorer- investigators SOLITARY

25. Reflections … Foresight is invaluable & bullishness is essential Demand exceeded funds (FEC !!!) Legal needs to innovate on both sides Balance between industry & academic peer review was challenging to say least It didn’t speed things up in the end Expect churn in industry

26. Looking forward… Digital economy - next generation The North MCUK – New lab, new models incl FIRM Networks, frameworks & how? Impact based

27. Towards 2012 Future of Public Service Broadcasting?

31. Show me the money… pt 1 HEFCE HEIF TSB – Collaborative R&D, KTN’s Research Councils - EPSRC, ESRC, BBSRC, AHRC, MRC JISC SRIF Digital Economy calls – DTC’s, Research Hubs European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) to assist SME’s Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP’s) EU Framework Programmes ( EU FP7)

32. Show me the money… pt 2 RDA’s – NWDA, YorkshireForward, One North East Digital Agencies – NW V&M, ScreenYorkshire, Codeworks Council funding – MDDA, Manchester Knowledge Capital, Creative Sheffield, Creative Hull,… Professional Institutions (eg. Royal Academy of Engineering, Design Council, Arts Council, British Council) MOD Govt Depts special pots (eg. Cabinet Office for Civil Contingency Secretariat) Charities and Trusts Alumni (eg. endowments) oh & industry sometimes… .

33. Final thoughts on exchange… People – diversity, mutual respect Networks – informal, build trust Frameworks – formal, funding Projects – mutual risk Outputs - Impact on user not career

34. Food for thought… http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/booknotes/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/knowledgeexchange/ http://backstage.bbc.co.uk/openlab/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/rd http://backstage.bbc.co.uk/ + http://www.scottberkun.com/books/the-myths-of-innovation/

36. If we acknowledge the importance of technology then we are now in the phase of working out how best to manage & improve it for the public and private good. Paraphrased from Bronac Ferran, 8 Essays 2009.

37. Thanks! Dr Adrian Woolard Project Lead (R&D North Lab) BBC Research & Development Future Media & Technology North Lab, Room 1044 Oxford Road, Manchester M60 1SJ e: adrian.woolard@bbc.co.uk t: adew / bbcrdnorth LinkedIn Group: Friends of BBC R&D North Credit: R&D & Learning Innovation staff for sterling work Illustrations: www.nicolarowlands.co.uk