Combatting Isolation in Research, using an Online Community.

Abstract

Presentation by GÉANT Future Talent Programme 2023 participant Jenna Barry, from Technical University of the Shannon. Supported by the Irish NREN HEAnet.

Jenna is currently doing a PhD in Intellectual and Social Isolation in research culture, and using Virtual Communities of Practice (vCoP) as a possible solution to create connected and collaborative environments. Previously, Jenna worked in the Limerick Institute of Technology on a science and engineering industry project focusing on branding, user experience, front-end design and development.

Jenna's background is varied with an MA in Interactive Multimedia from the University of Limerick; HDip in Creative Multimedia Programming from LIT; PgD in Innovation, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship from the Innovation Hub at University College Dublin; BA in Photography from the University of Wales and certificates in Training, Big Data, and Technology Enhanced Learning.

A Community of Practice (CoP) is a group of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do, learning how to do it better as they interact regularly. vCoP is an online CoP connected through technology and, in this instance, on an Enterprise Social Network (ESN). An ESN is a social network used in enterprise settings to bring together people who share the same interests - using the platform to engage and improve knowledge collectively. It is regarded as Enterprise 2.0. Coming together as a community and working as a unit may help encourage and strengthen the knowledge economy - decreasing isolation and increasing connection, communication and collaboration.