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Title: Digital Civics and User Experience Design
3 credits: TECH 28155/28155H for undergrad students or TECH 69000 for grad students
Location: United Kingdom
Dates: May 14-30, 2025
For UX Design majors, this experience can count as either a course within the UX major or a Globalization selective.
Estimated Program cost: $2500
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 13th- Travel to Newcastle
Wednesday, May 14th- Arrive in Newcastle upon Tyne, program-included dinner and brief walk around Newcastle
Thursday, May 15th- Project orientation and assignment to project groups, health and safety briefings, group work time, workshop on Impact in Digital Civics Research
Friday, May 16th- Work day, meet and greet and dinner w/Open Lab and Northumbria students and faculty at The Holy Hobo
Saturday, May 17th- Travel to Durham, tour of Durham Cathedral, Durham Castle tour, return to Newcastle
Sunday, May 18th- Free day
Monday, May 19th - Friday, May 23rd- Reflection session followed by work sessions in project teams for four hours during the day. (Suggestion, but flexible: 10-12, break for lunch, then twoish more hours). Free time to explore the city and surrounding area otherwise.
Saturday, May 24th - Sunday, May 25th- Free days
Monday, May 26th- Final project handover and presentations, program-included dinner and farewell to Open Lab personnel at By the River Street Food Market
Tuesday, May 27th - Thursday, May 29th- 3-day bus tour: The Isle of Skye & the Highlands
Friday, May 30th- Program ends, students make their way home or to their next activity
Contact program leader Paul Parsons via email with your questions.