Karen George
Complexity of Community Engagement
Nationality: British
Year of entry: 2011
Status: Full Time
Research area: Information Behaviour
Research group: Information Management Innovation (IMI)
Research topic: Complexity of Community Engagement
Research supervisors: Dr Petia Sice, Dr Jeremy Ellman, Prof Bob Young, Prof Safwat Mansi and advisors Graeme Arnott and Keith Stead Director of Rickter Ltd
Background and Experience:
2011-14 Northumbria University at Newcastle CEIS School (PhD programme member)
2009-10 Northumbria University at Newcastle CEIS School (MSc Business Information Systems Management)
2006-09 Operational Manager (Community Facilities, Newcastle City Council)
2002-05 Community Services Officer (Community Facilities, Newcastle City Council)
1997-02 Assistant Community Services Officer (Community Facilities, Newcastle City Council)
1988-97 Manager (Park View Sports Complex)
1996-96 Community Coordinator (Seconded to Community & Leisure Services, Newcastle City Council)
Research description:
My exploratory study aims to investigate the complex characteristics of communication and information management amongst stakeholders in community engagement, and to explore applicability of information communication technologies (ICTs) for community engagement to support collaborative practices and multi-criteria decision making.
My PhD builds on my MSc dissertation, Strategic Information and Knowledge Management in the Community Sector. Part of the PhD research involves evaluating a collaborative international study focused on Community Engagement for employment and training of socially isolated people; immigrants, homeless, third generation unemployed and long term carers. The main part of the research will be focused in Tyne and Wear within the ‘Big Society’ looking at governance of Community Engagement involving local government, partners and the local community where the research will involve sense making via interviews and workshops.
