![A small village on the coastal line in Cornwall [shutterstock_87644971]](https://d3bpgcke55gfwt.cloudfront.net/rails/active_storage/representations/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBbmZRIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--981da29652989d7157cc45e57b70215aa0786412/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaDdDRG9MWm05eWJXRjBTU0lJYW5CbkJqb0dSVlE2RkhKbGMybDZaVjkwYjE5c2FXMXBkRnNIYVFKWUFta0NMQUU2Q25OaGRtVnlld2s2RTNOMVluTmhiWEJzWlY5dGIyUmxTU0lIYjI0R093WlVPZ3B6ZEhKcGNGUTZEbWx1ZEdWeWJHRmpaVlE2REhGMVlXeHBkSGxwVUE9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoidmFyaWF0aW9uIn19--42754237235ba1e6f9325deaf83c5a2657141cd3/shutterstock_87644971_cropped.jpg)
This half-day event with invited guests from Cornish villages talked about the role of technology within their community. The event was held at several venues in Cornwall with a live video link-up of a series of village halls across the county with the University.
Through the video link we showcased examples of what the future of digital connectivity and the community might be, with each village hall presenting some examples of initiatives they have been involved in together with an opportunity for discussion about how technologies are shaping rural communities.
The event was an opportunity to share some recent research outcomes from the Digital Neighbourhoods research project and for the audience to engage in feedback on the research on the social and spatial effects of broadband in rural communities.
Event venues
• The Centre of Pendeen, Church Road, Pendeen, Penzance TR19 7SE
• ClayTAWC Centre, The Old School, Fore Street, St Dennis PL26 8AF
• St Breward Memorial Hall, Limehead, St Breward, Bodmin PL30 4LU
• Boardroom, Room 602, Rolle Building, University of Plymouth
• ClayTAWC Centre, The Old School, Fore Street, St Dennis PL26 8AF
• St Breward Memorial Hall, Limehead, St Breward, Bodmin PL30 4LU
• Boardroom, Room 602, Rolle Building, University of Plymouth
The project has worked with the following communities, and we are grateful to them for their time in contributing to the research: Pendeen (The Centre of Pendeen); St Breward (St Breward Memorial Hall and the residents of St Breward); Stoke Climsland (the Old School); St Dennis (ClayTAWC); Liskeard (Liskeard library); Treverbyn (Treverbyn Together); and St Day. This has partnered with the Superfast Cornwall Digital Inclusion programme of digital inclusion training in village and town venues in Cornwall.
The Digital Neighbourhoods research project investigates the role of superfast broadband access on rural neighbourhoods. It studies the impact of the integration of online social networks with place-based networks for rural communities.
The study aims to investigate the link between the use of public spaces, such as libraries, and social integration, through community based online social networks, as an approach to overcoming digital divides.
Research is being undertaken in a series of case study villages in Cornwall, beginning with studies to identify a pattern of social connections at neighbourhood places and how people operate within ICT social networks.