Digital Rights Mangement and the Online Music Experience


I am a current full time PhD student in the School of ICT at Griffith University. I am nearly half way through the 3 year program, having been successfully confirmed in April 2007.
I have a blog on this topic (http://madmadcreator.livejournal.com/) - feel free to leave me comments :)  A summary of my topic is  below as is a link to my full confirmation report.

The evolution of the technology has seen a move online to access digital music over the Internet, moving from the more traditional option of compact discs (CDs) purchased from physical stores to using online music stores, online communities and peer-to-peer networks. There are many ways for people to purchase music through these new online mediums, as well as varying options for accessing free music. Some of this free music is licensed for free use while other is unauthorised for copying and sharing, thus breaching copyright law.  A result of this new music scenario is the huge growth of online music sales, paralleled by continued reporting of music piracy reducing music sales and revenues. A ‘download culture’ is emerging enabling users to get music from a range of online sources, not all of them legal. Important in understanding how the current problems might shape the future of the industry, it is important to know what people are doing with music; how are they getting music, their use of technology, if technology is limiting their use and how they share music with friends. 

Confirmation Document - click here (its big! 5mb)




Women in IT (WinIT) Project


The WinIT project investigates the lack of female participation in Information Technology (IT) education and professional work. The issue is challenging with no easy solution. This issue is now a well documented research area however the causes and remedies remain puzzling and complex. In our project, we have explored the perceptions of secondary school girls, university women and women working in the IT industry.

Started in 1995 by Associate Professor Liisa von Hellens and Dr Sue Nielsen, our longitudinal study - called Women in Information Technology, or the 'WinIT' project, explores the perceptions and attitudes of girls and women by attempting to understand those that  influence these females to take up and remain in an IT career. I joined the WinIT research team in 2000. Our research to date has been published in many international conferences, journals and books. The team were invited visiting scholars in February 2007 to the Fachhochschule Hannover Germany (University of Applied Sciences and Arts -http://www.fh-hannover.de/de/) to teach our course on 'Gender issues in information technology education and work'.

for more information about the project, see http://www.cit.gu.edu.au/~jenine/WinITProject/index.html
our publications, see http://www.cit.gu.edu.au/~jenine/WinITProject/publications.html
our  course - details coming soon

IT Can Take You Anywhere


Annually in Brisbane Qld, a group of dedicated individuals coordinate a daily IT  role models event, named IT Can Take You Anywhere. The day is a hands on practical day to learn about all things IT. As we have very few girls entering IT as a career, we need to show them that working with technology can be a fun and rewarding career for women. The basis message of the day is this:

"If you study technology subjects it does not automatically mean you are headed for a geeky job in a back room or laboratory.  Technology is now part of every business in every industry. It can literally take you anywhere from dance studios and movie lots to boardrooms or an operating theatre".




On the day, girls from Years 7 to are introduced to technology and the opportunities it offers through fun interactive workshops, competitions, and the chance to talk to women working in a wide range of technology careers. Parents, teachers and guidance officers are also welcome to participate in all of the above along with special sessions held just for them on areas such as subject choices, post secondary study, scholarships and career options. Similar events are run in other states of Australia:

  • New South Wales
  • Victoria
  • Western Australia

I have been involved as a member of the organising committee since 2003 and have participated as a speaker or volunteer since the first event in Qld in 2000. Each year, the event generates more interest than the last, with over 1500 girls attending the full day of activites at Griffith University in July, 2005; the largest event so far. Not bad when we started in 2003 with 80 girls and $1000! :)
 

Go Go Gidgits


Go Go GIDGITS is an online computer club that Queensland school girls can join. Each term, there is a new set of activities on the website for girls to complete. When the girls complete the activities, they send them in to receive Go Go GIDGITS points. Girls and schools with the most points win a cool techie prize. in 2005/2006, I was an online role model and got to chat with the girls who are located all across Qld. I created my own avatar. Click here for more details and to join!

Women in Techology


Regional Tour: In February 2006, a group of WIT volunteers and sponsors delivered three key WIT programs in Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton and Bundaberg.  The "tourists" worked with local employers and WIT members to host an industry breakfast, a hands-on role model day for girls, and a career management workshop. I was the Project Manager for this this tour. It was a blast!

Mentoring: The WIT Mentoring program facilitates the personal and professional growth of their members through the formation of successful coaching and mentoring relationships. In 2006 I was the Program Manager of this activity and it is continuing in 2007. Click here for more details.


Previous Projects


Griffith University ICT Alumni Association - President, Mentoring Coordinator and E-zine Editor

Editor and Author -  Book on ERP systems published by Idea Group in 2005 - Qualitative Case Studies on Implementation of Enterprise Wide Systems 

Invited participant in Girls and ICTs Research Panel - hosted by QSITE 1 July, 2005

Mentor - Griffith University/Office for Women GetSET (Science, Engineering & Technology) Project 2005

Mentor - Women in Technology (WIT) Program 2005/20006

Program Chair, Editor - QualIT2004 and QualIT2005  Conferences - click here for the QualIT website

Teaching (courses) in 2002-2006
 
  • 1111CIT Technical Communication - Queensland Institute of Business & Technology (QIBT)
  • 3190CIT 3rd year IT Project- School of Computing & Information Technology (CIT)
  •  1112CIT Organisational Communication - School of CIT (Convenor)
  •  1111CIT Technical Communication - School of CIT (Convenor)
  •  2172CIT Systems in Organisations
  •  2166CIT Ethical and Professional Issues in Computing (EPIC)
  •  1512CIT Multimedia 1b
  •  1508CIT Introduction to Information Systems

Judging

  • Judging Chair - Qld Women in Technology (WIT) Scholarships & Awards – Secondary School Category, 2006
  • Judge - Qld Women in Technology (WIT) Scholarships & Awards – Bond ICT Executive (Secondary School) Category, 2005
  • Judging Chair - Qld Women in Technology (WIT) Scholarships & Awards – Undergraduate Category, 2003, 2004
  • Judge - Qld Women in Technology (WIT) Scholarships & Awards – Undergraduate Category, 2002
  • Judge - Asia Pacific ICT Awards (APICTA) 2002
  • Invited selection panel member of the ICT Innovators Grants for Schools - Under-represented student groups category. Education Qld, September 2004