About
The WSI is strongly committed to bringing international excellence to provide research evidence and support to communities in Southampton and the surrounding region working with local people and organisations. Regional policy and ‘levelling up’ is a government priority. WSI research is used by public and private service providers and policy makers who want to promote pathways to innovation, and economic, social and cultural development. Our region in central southern England combines urban, coastal and rural areas which provide both unique socio-technical opportunities and challenges. New developments such as Fawley Waterside promise to deliver innovations in social and technical community planning.
Research proposals under this theme might address some of the following, but all ideas are welcome:
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Over-simplistic ideas of an English North –South mask ‘hidden’ deprivation in affluent areas. Despite its perceived affluence relative to other parts of the UK, pockets of severe multiple deprivation exist across the South Coast region and our neighbours can feel even more cut off from communications, digital services, and opportunities. How can this be changed?
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Despite the interconnectedness of online life, place and local identity have become a key focus of analysis for social intervention and devolved decision-making. Has the advancement of the web effected local communities and hubs detrimentally or how can it help those communities to recover what they have lost?
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How can socio-technical approaches meet environmental, health, education, jobs and skills and other societal challenges for the region surrounding the University of Southampton?
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How can open and ethical sharing of big data, data science and AI help develop the region and improves the lives and communities of inhabitants of our region?
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How can sociotechnical approaches inform safer, greener and fairer transport systems within the region?
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How can sociotechnical affordances improve inclusive community participation in local decision making?
Theme Leads
Professor Pauline Leonard
Email:
Pauline.Leonard@soton.ac.uk
Dr Matt Ryan
Email:
M.G.Ryan@soton.ac.uk