QUT Digital Media Research Centre @ the 2024 Woodford Folk Festival
Event Details: Data Donation by QUT DMRC @ 2024 Woodford Folk Festival
When: 29 December 2024 to 1 January 2025
Venue: Arbour, Woodford QLD
Discover the Digital You at the 2024 Woodford Folk Festival: Online Safety, Cinema, and Data Donation
This year, the Queensland University of Technology’s Digital Media Research Centre ( QUT DMRC) will bring a unique and interactive experience to the Woodford Folk Festival. As part of our ongoing collaboration with the Australian Internet Observatory, we’re inviting you to engage with us at the Data Donation Stall. This booth will be offering festival-goers a chance to explore their digital selves in a fun and informative way — by revealing the hidden world behind their data.
For the first time, the DMRC will be hosting a hands-on, interactive stall dedicated to Data Donation—an immersive experience that gives festival-goers a closer look at their digital footprint. You may be surprised at how much data you generate every day, from the ads that pop up on your Facebook feed to the playlists you listen to on Spotify.
Our trained algorithm whisperers will help you interpret this data, offering personalised readings of your "digital self".
Through this stall, in collaboration with the AIO, we aim to deepen your understanding of your personal data and its role in the broader digital landscape. Over the course of the festival, the Tree of Data will grow, visually displaying how individual digital choices come together to shape our collective online culture. It’s a unique opportunity to reflect on how your digital choices contribute to the bigger picture and how you can better understand and control your digital identity.
But that’s not all! The QUT DMRC will also host three thought-provoking panels tackling some of the most important issues surrounding online safety, the future of cinema, and children’s digital lives. So whether you're curious about how your data shapes your digital footprint or interested in the changing landscape of media, we’ve got you covered this festive season.
The 5W’s of Online Safety: Who’s Responsible for Protecting Us Online?
On Sunday, 29 December, from 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm at The Arbour, the DMRC team will host The 5W’s of Online Safety, a panel that dives into the often-complicated landscape of digital security. Featuring Lucinda Nelson, Benson Rajan, Dr. Ehsan Dehghan, and Professor Daniel Angus, this session will unpack the key questions surrounding online safety: who is responsible for ensuring our security? What are the biggest dangers we face online? Why does online safety matter more than ever in our hyper-connected world?
Whether you're a parent, teacher, or just a concerned citizen, this discussion is essential for understanding how to stay safe in an increasingly digital society.
Living Cinema: Is the 'Death' of Moviegoing Really the End?
Cinema is a cherished part of Australian culture, but recent trends have suggested that moviegoing is on the decline. On Tuesday, 31 December, from 8:00 am to 8:45 am, Dr. Ruari Elkington and Dr. Mark Piccini from the DMRC will take a closer look at this "death of moviegoing" in Living Cinema – What We Really Mean When We Talk About the (Latest) Death of Moviegoing. Is the cinema industry really in danger, or are we just entering a new phase of moviegoing in the digital age?
This session will explore the cultural importance of cinema, the challenges posed by streaming services and digital entertainment, and the opportunities for reinvention in the face of these shifts. Film lovers and industry professionals alike will find plenty of food for thought here.
The Kids Are Alright: Debunking Fears About Children’s Digital Lives
On Wednesday, 1 January, from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, join Dr. Aleesha Rodriguez, Professor Daniel Angus, and Philippa Amery from the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child for The Kids Are Alright – Unpacking Some Fears About the Digital Lives of Children. This panel will address the growing concerns around children’s increasing digital presence, tackling common myths and misconceptions while offering evidence-based insights into how kids can thrive in a digital world. Parents, educators, and anyone who cares about the next generation will benefit from this insightful and reassuring discussion on the future of kids’ online experiences.
Join QUT’s DMRC at the 2024 Woodford Folk Festival for a deeper understanding of the intersection between digital media, society, and the pressing issues of our time. For more details on these sessions and timings, visit the Woodford Folk Festival website.
The Australian Internet Observatory is a partnership between RMIT University, Queensland University of Technology, The University of Queensland, The University of Melbourne, Swinburne University of Technology and Deakin University and received investment from the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC). The ARDC is funded by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).
