Summary of the research at the Digital World Research Centre of the University of Surrey. Presented at "Implementing Future Networks, Content and Services with Secure and Efficient Systems." At the University of Surrey 20th Sept 2010

1. User-centred innovation at
Digital World Research Centre
David Frohlich
Director
20th September 2010
www.dwrc.surrey.ac.uk

2. David Frohlich - Background
Hewlett Packard Labs Bristol & Bangalore (1990, 1991- 2004)
Senior Research Scientist
Helen Hamlyn Research Centre, Royal College of Art (2001-2003)
Visiting Industry Fellow
Digital World Research Centre, University of Surrey (2005- present)
Director, Professor of Interaction Design
www.dwrc.surrey.ac.uk

3. History
DWRC was established in 1998 as a multi-disciplinary research centre in the
School of Human Sciences at the University of Surrey. It now resides within the
Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences and is affiliated to the Department of
Sociology. Early work concentrated on understanding the social impact of new
technologies such as mobile phones, e-books and the internet. Current work is
focused on understanding new forms of media production and consumption,
and developing ways of supporting them with novel media genres, formats,
devices and services.
www.dwrc.surrey.ac.uk

4. Current approach
The Digital World Research Centre (DWRC) aims to develop and apply
a process of user-centred innovation in digital media technology, based
on the interplay of user, design, business and technology research. We
also strive to apply this technology for social benefit through various
forms of inclusive research and design.
www.dwrc.surrey.ac.uk

5. Current people
Director David Frohlich
Group Administrator Kristina Langhein
Research Associates Alicia Blum-Ross
Chris Lim
Kristen Eglinton
PhD students Abigail Durrant
Sandeep Chandra Ashwath
Phil Ely
Owen Daly-Jones
Sam Zargham
Connie Golsteijn
Jocelyne Cady Spence
Visiting fellows Risto Sarvas (Helsinki Institute of IT)
Patrick Jordan (Richard Appleby
Ali Al-Azzawi (Openia Ltd)
Jane Vincent (U Surrey) www.dwrc.surrey.ac.uk

6. Research methods
Concept generation Envisionments
Demonstrations
Focus Groups Questionnaires
Iteration
Design
concepts
Field observation User Specifications Lab Experiments
Recordings & logs Requirements
In situ interviews Controlled observation
Real-world Prototyping
Assimilation Prototypes Revision
Activity
Field trials Interviews
Questionnaires
Deployment
www.dwrc.surrey.ac.uk

7. Current and recent work
CURRENT PROJECTS
•Bespoke: Increasing social inclusion through citizen journalism and bespoke design.
EPSRC/Digital Economy project.
•SUS-IT : Sustaining IT use in older people. ESRC/New Dynamics of Ageing project.
•CGM: Community generated media for the next billion. EPSRC/Digital Economy ‘Research
in the wild’ project.
•Lucid: Learning, understanding and communicating about information design. AHRC
Network
•A roadmap for Big Society research and impact. AHRC Connected Communities network.
RECENT COMPLETED PROJECTS
•StoryBank: Sharing stories across digital divides. EPSRC ‘Bridging the Global Digital
Divide’ project.
•Forgotten images: Kodak funded project examining the triggers and patterns for photo re-
use in the home.
•Cross-media communication. BT and DTI funded Knowledge Transfer Partnership.
•Sonic Interventions. Microsoft-funded project on the character and management of the
domestic soundscape.
•Teen use of mobiles. A Vodafone-funded study of the use of mobile phones by 11-16 year
olds.
•Weegie: Community storytelling on the audiophoto desk. EPSRC Leonardo Network
project.
www.dwrc.surrey.ac.uk

8. Further information
David Frohlich
d.frohlich@surrey.ac.uk
Kristina Langhein
k.langhein@surrey.ac.uk
www.dwrc.surrey.ac.uk