Digital Civics and User Experience Design
For UX Design majors, this experience can count as either a course within the UX major or a Globalization selective.
Program Description
In this study abroad program, students will engage in local community informatics projects that have relevance to the urban center of Newcastle upon Tyne, located in North East England. This program will offer students a unique opportunity to work with world-established leaders in digital civics located at Northumbria University and Newcastle University. This program is unique in offering a wide range of inter- and multi-disciplinary experiences that engage with the local target community in England. Students will explore engagement opportunities with local and regional stakeholders in a wide variety of application contexts, including existing strands such as health, education, transport, and social care. The primary language will be in English, and both North Lab at Northumbria University and Open Lab at Newcastle University have agreed to provide on-campus meeting and design spaces during the study abroad engagement. No exchange or credit will be provided from Newcastle University or Northumbria University as part of the program. During the program, students will also have the opportunity to visit historical sites, including Durham Castle, Durham Cathedra, Alnwick Castle, Hadrian's Wall, and several locations within Scotland on a bus tour.
Tentative Program Itinerary
- Tuesday, May 19th- Travel to Newcastle
- Wednesday, May 20th- Arrive in Newcastle upon Tyne, program-included dinner and brief walk around Newcastle
- Thursday, May 21st- Project orientation and assignment to project groups, health and safety briefings, group work time, workshop on Impact in Digital Civics Research
- Friday, May 22nd- Work day, meet and greet and dinner w/Open Lab and Northumbria students and faculty at The Holy Hobo
- Saturday, May 23rd- Travel to Durham, tour of Durham Cathedral, Durham Castle tour, return to Newcastle
- Sunday, May 24th- TBD
- Monday, May 25th - Thursday, May 28th- Reflection session followed by work sessions in project teams for four hours during the day. (Suggestion, but flexible: 10-12, break for lunch, then two-ish more hours). Free time to explore the city and surrounding area otherwise.
- Friday, May 29th- Final project handover and presentations, program-included dinner and farewell to Open Lab personnel at By the River Street Food Market
- Saturday, May 30th - Monday, June 1st- TBD
- Tuesday, June 2nd - Thursday, June 4th- 3-day bus tour to Edinburgh
- Friday, June 5th- Program ends, students make their way home or to their next activity
Click here to apply
Contact program leader Paul Parsons via email with your questions.