Welcome

This Blog is my artists’ canvas, an opportunity to explore and experiment as I learn how Online Journalism can help people work with each other more effectively to make change happen.

After 13 years working for a large multidisciplinary consultancy I’m returning to university to study for an MA in Online Journalism, so I can follow my dream and help others make use of the online social media environment so we can collaborate and do things better together.

I’m passionate about:

  • Data Visualisation
  • Performance Measurement
  • Local Government
  • Open Data
  • Highways and Transport

I didn’t choose this course because I love social media and online journalism, I chose it because I was scared of them!  Like many professionals in my industry, I felt uncomfortable  and uncertain  about all these online ‘social’ tools; baring myself online for all to see.  Because of this fear, I believe we are missing out on some fantastic opportunities to work together more collaboratively.  I see my job as helping to break down barriers to technology and learning to feel comfortable using it to make our jobs easier and ultimately more rewarding.

So, on my journey of discovery please be gentle with me.  I will almost certainly mess things up, lose pages, or tweet the wrong links.  I may say the wrong things, or write in a confusing style.  But all this is exactly the point.  I’m making these mistakes so we can learn.  I can’t hide – it’s all here, published on the web for all to see.   Hopefully something worthwhile will come out of this experiment in the end!

5 thoughts on “Welcome”

  1. Well I for one, can’t wait to see what thought provoking, well thought out pearls of wisdom we’ll see on here, all I know is, there will be some.

    Good luck x

  2. Hi Theresa, I suggest that you check out the website for FutureFest. There were a lot of presentations on open data and how powerful it could be. The presentations are gradually being edited and posted online so have a look. Martin.

    1. Hi Martin,
      Great to hear from you, and thanks for the heads up about FutureFest. Did you attend? Having just checked out the website (www.futurefest.org) I notice that one of the speakers was Cory Doctorow, the author of an interestingly titled book Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, which I’ve just started reading. Think I’ll have to blog about that, and the latest thoughts on open data emanating from the event.

  3. Hi Theresa
    Welcome to the online world! Look forward to future blogs on subjects that are close to my heart too….
    Good luck!
    Martin S

    1. Hi Martin,

      Great to hear from you, and thank you for your warm welcome to the online world! I look forward to your valuable contributions as part of the discussion. Many thanks 😉

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