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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.

In the second stage of the study we are working with local community centres and village halls in our case study villages to study how they form digital hubs. We are using action research will be undertaken to measure the effect on social inclusion and sense of place of the inclusion of a level of access to superfast broadband in public spaces.

The research has three objectives:

Work package 1: identify a pattern of social connections in a village, how people operated within ICT social networks and how this might relate to the place in which they chose to enact social behaviour through analysis of qualitative data from diary studies and interviews with residents in five neighbourhoods. This will establish how people understand and act upon their interactions with technology in their everyday life not necessarily in a purely spatial sense, but more importantly how they are situated within their social networks.

Work package 2: through the results of an observational study of digital interactions within key public spaces within five neighbourhoods it will be possible to understand how public or communal spaces within a neighbourhood are affected. Drawing on the knowledge gained from the empirical diary and public space studies to develop a design-based intervention to directly impact upon the possibility for connecting mediated networks and public spaces in order to reinforce and strengthen local social cohesion and to overcome digital divides.

Work package 3: to share and disseminate the results of the research with four key audiences; local community, academics, general public and agencies or organisations concerned with future planning of communities.