Neil Selwyn Profile Page

Profile

Name: Dr Neil Selwyn
About:

 

neil_selwyn_thumbnailNeil Selwyn is sociologist working at the London Knowledge Lab. His research and teaching focuses on the place of digital media in everyday life, and the sociology of technology (non)use in educational settings. He has written extensively on a number of issues, including digital exclusion, education technology policymaking and the student experience of technology-based learning. He has carried out funded research on information technology, society and education for the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the BBC, Nuffield Foundation, the Spencer Foundation, Becta, Centre for Distance Education, the Welsh Office, National Assembly of Wales and various local authorities.

 

Main research interests
  • Information technology (IT) and society
  • The use of digital technologies in educational settings
  • The role(s) that digital technologies play in people's everyday lives
  • Digital technology and social exclusion (critiquing the 'digital divide' debate)
  • Public policy making in the 'information age'
  • The discursive construction of digital technologies by commercial and political actors

 

Current research & writing activities
  • A sociological critique of schools and digital technology
  • Web 2.0 applications in (in)formal education settings
  • The globalised distance learner experience
  • Technology disposal

 

Recent articles in academic journals
  • Selwyn, N.,  Boraschi , D.  and Özkula, S.   (2009)   ‘Drawing digital pictures: an investigation of primary pupils’ representations of ICT and schools’   British Educational Research Journal, 35
  • Selwyn, N  (2009)   'Faceworking: exploring students' education-related use of Facebook'  Learning, Media and Technology  34, 2
  • Selwyn, N., Potter, J. and Cranmer, S.  (2009)   'Primary pupils' use of information and communication technologies at school and home'  British Journal of Education Technology, 39
  
Recent books
  • Selwyn, N., Gorard, S. and Furlong, J. (2005) 'Adult Learning in the Digital Age' London, Routledge
  • Selwyn, N. (2002) 'Telling Tales on Technology: Qualitative Studies of Technology and Education' London, Ashgate
  • Selwyn, N. and Gorard, S. (2002) 'The Information Age' Cardiff, University of Wales Press
  • Gorard, S. and Selwyn, N. (2001) '101 Key Ideas in Information Technology' London, Hodder & Stoughton

 

Media appearances

   selwyn_teachers_tv_headshot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watch the March 2008 Teachers TV program 'Online social networks - friend or foe?' in which myself, John Potter, Lynsday Grant and others discuss the potential and pitfalls of web 2.0 in education

 

Links to some online writing and papers
  
  
PhD Supervision

 

I am happy to discuss the possibility of supervising PhD students in a variety of topics providing that (i) the topic is an interesting one and (ii) there is some consideration of the social, economic, cultural and/or political aspects of technology. Other than that I am open to offers - email me with ideas!

 

Contact Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone Number: 0207 763 2151

Publications

Publications:

 

Neil Selwyn: list of publications since 2007 

 

Book in preparation:

•    Selwyn, N.,  Potter, J. and Cranmer, S.  (2009)  ‘Primary schools and ICT: learning from pupil perspectives’  London, Continuum



Edited collections:

•    Selwyn, N.  and Grant, L.  [ed.] (2009)  Special issue of Learning, Media and Technology – issue theme ‘Learning and social software - researching the realities’ , 34, 2
•    Selwyn, N.  [ed.] (2008)  Special issue of Technology, Pedagogy and Education – issue theme ‘Technology, pedagogy and education – glimpses of the wider picture’  17, 2



Full Articles in Academic Journals:

•    Selwyn, N.,  Boraschi , D.  and Özkula, S.   (2009)   ‘Drawing digital pictures: an investigation of primary pupils’ representations of ICT and schools’ British Educational Research Journal,  35 
•    Selwyn, N. (2009)  ‘Crime and prejudice: exploring the victimisation of undergraduate students’  International Review of Victimology, 15, pp.205-222
•    Selwyn, N. (2009)   ‘Faceworking: exploring students’ education-related use of Facebook’ Learning, Media and Technology  34, 2
•    Selwyn, N.,  Potter, J.  and  Cranmer, S.   (2009)   ‘Primary pupils’ use of information and communication technologies at school and home’ British Journal of Educational Technology, 39  
•    Cranmer, S.,  Selwyn, N.  and  Potter, J.   (2009)   ‘Exploring primary pupils’ experiences and understandings of ‘e-safety’ Education and Information Technologies, 14
•    Selwyn, N. (2008)  ‘A safe haven for mis-behaving? An investigation of online mis-behaviour amongst university students’  Social Science Computer Review  26, 4, pp.446-465
•    Selwyn, N.   (2008)   'Realising the potential of new technology? Assessing the legacy of New Labour’s ICT agenda 1997-2007'   Oxford Review of Education, 34, 6, pp.701-712
•    Selwyn, N. (2008)  ‘‘High-jinks’ and ‘minor mischief’: a study of undergraduate students as perpetrators of crime’ Studies in Higher Education, 33, 1, pp.1-16
•    Selwyn, N. (2008)  ‘‘Not necessary a bad thing …’: a study of online plagiarism amongst undergraduate students’  Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 33, 5, pp.465-479
•    Selwyn, N.  (2008)   ‘Undergraduates’ use of the internet for academic information’    Active Learning in Higher Education, 9, 1, pp.11-22
•    Selwyn, N. (2008)   ‘O uso das TIC na educação e a promoção de inclusão social: uma perspectiva crítica do Reino Unido’   Educação & Sociedade, vol, 29, no.104, pp.815-850   
•    Selwyn, N. (2008)   ‘Constructing the challenge of digital didactics: the rhetoric, remediation and reality of the UK Digital Curriculum’  Seminar.net, 4, 1
•    Selwyn, N. (2007)  ‘Curriculum online? Exploring the political and commercial construction of the UK digital learning marketplace’  British Journal of Sociology of Education, 28, 2, pp.223-240
•    Selwyn, N. (2007)  ‘Hi-tech=guy-tech? An exploration of undergraduate students’ gendered perceptions of information and communication technologies’ Sex Roles, 56, 7-8, pp.525-536
•    Selwyn, N.  (2007)  'The use of computer technology in university teaching and learning: a critical perspective' Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 23, 2,  pp.83-94
•    Selwyn, N.  and  Powell, E.   (2007)   ‘Sex and relationships education in schools: the views and experiences of young people’  Health Education,  107, 2, pp.219-231



Review & Short Articles in Academic Journals:

•    Selwyn, N. and Grant, L.   (2009)   ‘Learning and social software - researching the realities’  Learning, Media and Technology, 34, 2
•    Selwyn, N.  (2009)   ‘Too much information?’    Learning and Teaching: the International Journal of Higher Education in the Social Sciences
•    Selwyn, N.    (2008)   ‘From state-of-the-art to state-of-the-actual’ Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 17, 2, pp.83-87
•    Selwyn, N. and Gorard, S.   (2008)  ‘What computers can’t do for you’  Adults Learning, 19, 6, pp.26-27
•    Gorard, S.  and Selwyn, N.  (2008)  ‘The myth of the Silver Surfer’  Adults Learning, 19, 5, pp.28-30
•    Selwyn, N.  (2007)   ‘e-learning or she-learning? Exploring students’ gendered perceptions of education technology’ British Journal of Education Technology, 38, 4, pp.744-746



Book Chapters:

•    Selwyn, N.  and  Gorard, S.  (2010)   'Digital divide or digital opportunity? the role of technology in overcoming social exclusion in U.S. education' in Kasi, E.  (ed)   ‘Social exclusion: a reader’  Jaipur, Rawat Publications
•    Selwyn, N.  (2009)   ‘The ‘new’ connectivities of digital education’  in  Apple, M., Armand Gandin, L. and Ball, S.  (Eds) ‘International Handbook of the Sociology of Education’   London, Routledge
•    Selwyn, N.   (2009)   ‘Rethinking education in the digital age’  in  Prior, N.  and  Orton-Johnson, K.  (eds) ‘Rethinking sociology in the digital age’   Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan
•    Selwyn, N.   (2009)   ‘A new education for a new digital age? Towards a critical analysis of young people, education and the contemporary digital landscape’ in Schelhowe, H., Grell, P. and Marotzki, W. (eds.)   ‘New digital spaces of culture and education’  Germany, VS Verlag Wiesbaden
•    Selwyn, N.    and   Facer, K.     (2009)   ‘Beyond digital divide:  towards an agenda for change’  in Ferro, E.,  Dwivedi, Y., Gil-Garcia, R.  and Williams, M.  (Eds)  ‘Overcoming Digital Divides: Constructing an Equitable and Competitive Information Society’   Hershey PA, IGI Global
•    Selwyn, N.   (2009)   ‘Exploring people’s use of public internet sites’  in  Murdock, G. and Golding, P.  (Eds)  ‘Unpacking digital dynamics: participation, control and exclusion’  Cresskill NJ, Hampton Press
•    Selwyn, N.   (2009)   ‘Business as usual? Exploring the continuing (in)significance of e-learning policy drives’  in  Brown, M. (ed)  ‘Education in the digital age: critical perspectives on (e)learning’  Otago, Otago University Press
•    Selwyn, N. (2007)   ‘Technology, schools and citizenship education: a fix too far?’  in  Loader, B.  (ed)  ‘Young citizens in a digital age: political engagement, young people and the internet’  London, Routledge ISBN 97-80-41540912-4 (pp.129-142)
•    Selwyn, N.  (2007)  ‘New technologies, young people and social inclusion’  in  Kutscher, N. and  Otto, H.  (Eds)  ‘Grenzenlose cyberwelt? um verhältnis von digitaler ungleichheit und neuen bildungszugängen für jugendliche’   Aachen, Shaker Verlag  (pp.31-44)
•    Selwyn, N.   (2007)  ‘Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose - considering the probable futures of education technology’ in Kritt, D. and Winegar, L (Eds) ‘Education and Technology: Critical Perspectives and Possible Futures’  Lanham MD, Rowman and Littlefield 




Other Publications (articles in non-academic publications, working papers etc.):

•    Selwyn, N.  [ed]  (2008)   ‘Education 2.0?  Designing the web for teaching and learning’  Teaching and Learning Research Programme Commentary, London, TLRP  ISBN 978-0-85473-829-8
•    Selwyn, N.  (2008)  ‘Developing the technological imagination: theorising the social shaping and consequences of new technologies’  in Livingstone, S. (ed)   ‘Theorising the benefits of new technology for youth: Controversies of learning and development’   University of Oxford/ LSE
•    Selwyn, N.   (2007)    ‘Young people and their information needs in the context of the information society’  Brussels, Directorate of Youth and Sport of the Council of Europe /European Agency for Youth Information and Counseling 
•    Selwyn, N.  and   Facer, K.   (2007)  ‘Beyond the digital divide: Rethinking digital inclusion for the twenty-first century’  Bristol, Futurelab
•    Laurillard, D.,  Kolokitha, M.,  Mellar, H.,  Selwyn, N.  and   Noss, R.  (2008)    ‘Learning through life: the role of technology’  [Report for the UK Government’s Foresight project: Mental Capital and Mental Wellbeing]    London, DTI Office of Science and Innovation
•    Selwyn, N.  (2007)  ‘Citizenship, technology and learning – a review of recent literature’ Bristol, Futurelab




Book Reviews in Academic journals:

•    Selwyn, N.    (2008)   ‘Review of Buckingham  -  Beyond technology: learning in the age of digital culture - IBSN 978-0-7456-3881-2’  book review in Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 17, 2, pp.165-166
•    Selwyn, N.    (2007)   ‘Gibbs & Krause - Cyberlines 2.0 - ISBN 1-875408-42-8’ book review in British Journal of Educational Technology  38, 3, pp.543–544
•    Selwyn, N.    (2007)   ‘Review of Lim, Cher Ping - The science and art of integrating ICT in Singapore schools - ISBN 981-05-5842-2’ book review in British Journal of Educational Technology, 38, 2, p.37




Invited papers, talks and keynote presentations:

•    Selwyn, N.   (2009)   ‘The digital and the curriculum’ invited paper to Portuguese Association of Educational Telematics 6th International Conference in Information and Communication Technologies in Education, University of Minho, May 14th to 15th
•    Selwyn, N.   (2009)   ‘Digital natives – myth and reality’ invited presentation to CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals) London seminar series, London, March 10th
•    Selwyn, N.   (2008)  ‘Children’s perspectives on in-school / out-of-school ICT’  invited presentation to ‘Dream of virtually reality: learning, ICT and the primary school’ conference, London, 19th November
•    Selwyn, N.   (2008)    ‘Re-imagining the school as a ‘loose space’ for digital technology use'   keynote paper presented to  E-start International Conference on Digital Literacy, Brunel University, London, 17th to 18th November
•    Selwyn, N., Potter, J.  and  Cranmer, S.   (2008)  ‘Learners and technology 7 to 11: an investigation of primary pupils and ICT’ invited paper presented to BECTA Harnessing Technology Annual Research Conference, Sheffield, 6th November
•    Selwyn, N.   (2008)    ‘Social networking and education'   Keynote paper presented to Konferanse Om Sosial Web Og Læring, ITU - Network for IT-Research and Competence in Education, University of Oslo, 16th October
•    Selwyn, N.   (2008)    ‘Realising the potential of new technology? Assessing the legacy of New Labour’s ICT agenda 1997-2007'   Keynote symposium paper presented to 2008 BERA annual meeting, Edinburgh, 3rd-6th September
•    Selwyn, N.   (2008)   ‘The use of technologies in education and the promotion of social inclusion: a critical perspective’  keynote presentation to  ‘Education, equality and social justice in Brazil, India, South Africa and UK: The use of technologies in education and the promotion of social inclusion’ symposium, Campo Grande, Brazil  24th April
•    Selwyn, N.   (2008)   ‘A new education for a new digital age? A critical analysis of education, technology and the contemporary digital landscape’ keynote speech to the ‘Neue Digitale Kultur- und Bildungsräume’ symposium Conference of the German Association for Educational Science (DGfE), Dresden 17th March
•    Selwyn, N.   (2008)   ‘Faceworking: exploring students’ educational use of Facebook’ paper presented to the Information Systems Research Forum (ISRF) seminar series, Information Systems and Innovation Group, London School of Economics, 13th March
•    Selwyn, N.   (2008)   ‘Developing the technological imagination: theorising the social shaping and consequences of new technologies’ paper presented to ESRC seminar series ‘The educational and social impact of new technologies on young people in Britain’ University of Oxford, 12th March
•    Selwyn, N.   (2008)   ‘’E-government for all? an overview of recent research and theory on digital exclusion in Europe’  paper presented to ‘E-Government for Low Socio-Economic Groups:  ‘E-Government and Social Inclusion - Barriers, Opportunities and Future Direction’ symposium, Brussels, 11th March 
•    Selwyn, N.   (2008)   ‘‘omg tha Neil Selwyn bloke is a cock!’ - exploring students’ educational use of Facebook’ paper presented to the Education, Culture and Society seminar series, Cardiff School of Social Sciences, 31st January
•    Selwyn, N.   (2007)  ‘’Young people and their information needs in the context of information society’ invited paper presented to ‘Colloquy on youth information’ – Budapest, 26th-27th November
•    Selwyn, N.   (2007)   ‘Facebook as a new communication channel and its social significance’ paper presented to  ‘The future of telecommunications’ conference,  LSE/Foundation of German Business, London,  October 26th to 28th
•    Selwyn, N.   (2007)    ‘Web 2.0 applications as alternative environments for informal learning - a critical review’  paper presented to OECD-KERIS expert meeting -  Korea, October 16-19th
•    Selwyn, N.   (2007)   “Counter-acting the digital divide - what digital literacies should schools seek to cultivate in their students?”  invited paper presented to the e-start European Symposium on Digtial Literacy and e-inclusion in Schools, Eugenidis Foundation, Athens, 21st May
•    Selwyn, N.   (2007)  ‘Digital inclusion for young people: ensuring opportunities for vulnerable groups’ remarks to Westminster eForum Keynote seminar: UK Kids online: young people, media literacy and the digital divide,  London, 24th April
•    Selwyn, N.  (2007)  ‘‘With the click of a button you can do pretty much anything’: an investigation of online plagiarism amongst UK undergraduate students’  paper presented to City University of Hong Kong, Department of Public and Social Administration, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, 7th March
•    Selwyn, N.   (2007)  ‘Digital inequalities: redressing social inclusion and ICTs’ paper presented to ‘Re-imagining citizenship for a digital age’ seminar, Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr), London, February 27th



Academic Conference Papers:

•    Selwyn, N.   (2008)    ‘The political and economic (mis)shaping of education technology: a critical analysis’ paper presented to the 2008 AERA Annual Meeting, New York, 24th-29th March 
•    Selwyn, N.   (2007)   ‘‘Screw Blackboard... do it on Facebook!’: an investigation of students’ educational use of Facebook’ paper presented to  the ‘Poke 1.0 - Facebook social research symposium’, University of London, 15th November
•    Selwyn, N.   (2007)   ‘The role of intergenerational relationships in adults’ (non)use of information technologies’ paper presented to Royal Geographical Society, IBG conference, London, 28th-31st August
•    Powell, E.  and Selwyn, N.    (2007)   ‘Exploring young people’s use of family and friends to access sexual health information and advice’ paper presented to the Place-Based Sex/Sexuality and Relationship Education Conference,  Institute of Education, University of London,  May 23rd

Students

Students:

Chris Shelton - 'Beliefs about technology held by teachers in higher education' [p/t PhD]

Malini Gulati  - 'A critical analysis of impact of blogging on learning in Higher Education'  [f/t PhD - IOE Centenary Scholarship]

 

Anastasia Gouseti - 'Web 2.0 and e-twinning in secondary schools'  [f/t PhD]

 

Faezeh Seyedarabi - 'PoSTech (Personalised Search Tool for Teachers)'  [p/t PhD]

Catherine Chabert (Cardiff) - 'A comparative study of the UK 'e-University' and the French 'campus numeriques' policy initiatives' [p/t PhD]

LKL News

Neil Selwyn is featured in the following news items:
 
DateTitle
Thursday, 29 November 2007The place of distance education within the student life-world
Wednesday, 19 September 2007Learner Voice and Technology: 7 to 11
Wednesday, 18 July 2007LKL Open Evening 2007

Full LKL news listing

LKL Events

List of events at the London Knowledge Lab with Neil Selwyn:
 
DateTitle
Thursday, 06 March 2008Symposium on Learner Voice and technology: 7-11
Thursday, 15 November 2007Poke 1.0 - a Facebook social research symposium
Monday, 14 May 2007From ‘computer whizz-kids’ to the ‘myspace generation’...

Full LKL event listing

LKL Research

Neil Selwyn is participating in the following LKL research projects:
 
Title
Foresight 2030
Learner voice and technology: 7 to 11
The place of distance education within the student lifeworld: a study of international distance lear

Full LKL research projects listing