Lynne Siemens

‘It's a team if you use “reply all” ’: An exploration of research teams in digital humanities environments

Given that the nature of research work involves computers and a variety of skills and expertise, Digital Humanities researchers are working collaboratively within their institutions and with others nationally and internationallly to undertake the research. This work typically involves the need to coordinate efforts between academics, undergraduate and graduate students, research assistants, computer programmers, librarians, and other individuals as well as the need to manage financial and other resources. Despite this use of collaboration, there has been little formal research on team development within this community. This article reports on a research project exploring the nature of Digital Humanities research teams. Drawing upon interviews with members of the community, a series of exemplary patterns and models of research collaboration are identified and outlined. Important themes include a definition of team which focuses on common tasks and outcomes as well as a need for responsibility and accountability to the team as a whole; elements of a successful team which include clear task definition and productive working relationships over the life of the project and beyond, a need for balance between digital and face-to-face communication and collaboration tools, and potential for more deliberate training in collaboration and team work. The article concludes with recommendations for the individual team members, project leaders, and teams.

Challenges, Responses and Available Resources: Success in Rural Small Businesses

Abstract Rural communities and their residents aze exploring the potential of small business and entrepreneurship to address the economic changes they are facing. While these rural areas present many opportunities, business people in these areas face challenges which they must navigate to operate successfully. However, little is known about these specific challenges and the manner in which business owners respond to them. This paper reports on a qualitative study of small rural businesses in a rural region of Canada that begins to answer this question. The research found that these owners face particular challenges in the area of market size, labour availability, access to urban centres, infrastructure gaps, and large time demands. As they work to mitigate these, the owners draw upon locally available resources, such as themselves, their family, business, and community. The paper concludes with recommendations for government policies and programs to support economic development in these rural regions.

A tale of two cities: implications of the similarities and differences in collaborative approaches within the digital libraries and digital humanities communities

In addition to drawing upon content experts, librarians, archivists, developers, programmers, managers, and others, many emerging digital projects also pull in disciplinary expertise from areas that do not typically work in team environments. To be effective, these teams must find processes-some of which are counter to natural individually oriented work habits-which support the larger goals and group-oriented work of these digital projects. This article will explore the similarities and differences in approaches within and between members of the Digital Libraries (DL) and Digital Humanities (DH) communities by formally documenting the nature of collaboration in these teams. While there are many similarities in approaches between DL and DH project teams, some interesting differences exist and may influence the effectiveness of a digital project team with membership that draws from these two communities. Conclusions are focused on supporting strong team processes with recommendations for documentation, communication, training, and the development of team skills and perspectives.

“We moved here for the lifestyle”: A picture of entrepreneurship in rural British Columbia

In many rural communities, employment in the natural resource-based sectors is declining. In response, individuals and communities are examining the potential of entrepreneurship to support economic development. However, little is known about these entrepreneurs who operate in often constrained environments. By understanding this, place-specific programs can be developed that support and sustain them. This paper contributes to this discussion with research focused on a rural and remote British Columbia region. The survey results suggest that individuals often start businesses for lifestyle reasons and continue to operate them even when financially marginal. Further, despite perceptions that the rural environment is hostile, entrepreneurial opportunities and resources exist and support local community economic development. Communities, governments, and other support organizations can use these results to develop site- and context-specific policies and programs.

Embedding Small Business and Entrepreneurship Training within the Rural Context

Rural small business owners face challenges that are not generally present in urban locations. As a result, they need training programmes that are specific to this context. This paper presents a framework for such a programme. First, the programme is based on the perspective that rural business owners are strongly motivated, but not necessarily by financial goals alone. Second, the owners must approach the issue of business development with the realization that multiple income sources may be required for business sustainability. Third, the primary resources are the owners themselves, along with their family, their business and their community – all available locally. Finally, the curriculum is delivered using examples of successful rural entrepreneurs.

Time, Place and Cyberspace: Foundations for Successful e-Research Collaboration

Electronic research (e-Research) collaboration tools have created new opportunities for research and communication among individuals. These digital tools facilitate communication and collaboration and allow people across many geographical locations to coordinate tasks and research output. At times, given the extensive use of these tools, teams may have an over-reliance on digital tools to the exclusions of others. Other means to facilitate communication, coordination and collaboration exist and play an important part in effective research. This chapter explores the role of both digital and in-person collaboration tools and considers the need for balance between these within the context of Digital Humanities research teams, a case study population. First the uses, benefits and trade-offs of various communication channels are outlined, particularly within the context of interdisciplinary and geographically disperse research teams. From there, the role of inperson interactions, digital tools and social software within the case study community and their impact on collaboration will be explored. The primary implication from the research is that there must be balance between digital tools and social software and in-person interactions. Technology can supplement, but not replace face-to-face interaction in collaboration totally. Best practices and recommendations for academic research teams will conclude the chapter.

A trip around the world: Accommodating geographical, linguistic and cultural diversity in academic research teams

Those working within the academy are drawing collaborations, both within and across their home institutions, to undertake increasingly complex and sophisti- cated research questions, a trend supported by the granting agencies. Advances in computers and telecommunications have facilitated these collaborations by allowing teams to recruit the right person and expertise, regardless of location. To ensure that they are able to achieve their research objectives, these teams must find methods and means to maximize the benefits associated generally with col- laboration while minimizing challenges and to also address those challenges more specifically associated with the geographical, linguistic and cultural diversity. This article contributes to this understanding by reporting on interviews conducted with individuals with experience in teams that cross geographical, linguistic and cultural boundaries and focus on understanding the benefits and challenges associated with collaboration with membership and the strategies used to strengthen them. Whereas these teams benefit from these collaborations, they experience many challenges, including language and cultural differences, differing access to and comfort levels with technology, and often conflicting requirements from funding agencies and stakeholders. These teams have devised strategies at project and individual levels, with clearly articulated project plans, project li- aisons, flexibility and other soft and language skills, multiple communication channels, and others, to mitigate these challenges. The article concludes with recommendations for funders, projects and individuals.

“It challenges members to think of their work through another kind of specialist's eyes”: Exploration of the benefits and challenges of diversity in digital project teams

Digital project teams are by definition comprised of people with various skills, disciplines and content knowledge. Collaboration within these teams is undertaken by librarians, academics, undergraduate and graduate students, research assistants, computer programmers and developers, content experts, and other individuals. While this diversity of people, skills and perspectives creates benefits for the teams, at the same time, it creates a series of challenges which must be minimized to ensure project success. Drawing upon interview and survey data, this paper explores the benefits, advantages, and challenges associated with these types of project teams. It will conclude with a series of recommendations focused on harnessing the advantages while minimizing the challenges.

Balancing Students’ Privacy Concerns While Increasing Student Engagement in E-learning Environments

The ultimate objective of any learning platform is student engagement with the material, instructor, and classmates. Little is currently known about students’ concerns regarding privacy, confidentiality, and information safety and the potential impact these may have on engagement within an online learning environment. Existing literature and practice must be supplemented with awareness of the importance of student perceptions concerning privacy and confidentiality if online learning engagement is to be maximized. Our exploratory research shows that students do experience concerns, that these concerns can be impacted by the professional school status of the students in question, and that students take steps to create safety accordingly. As a result, student engagement within an online learning environment is different than its physical counterpart. Our findings and subsequent recommendations suggest more can be done to maximize the notion of learning safety and student online learning engagement.