Prof Neil Selwyn

Neil Selwyn is a Professor in the Faculty of Education, Monash University. He has worked previously at the Institute of Education - University of London, Cardiff University and the University of Bristol (all UK). Neil's research and teaching focuses on the place of digital media in everyday life, and the sociology of technology (non)use in educational settings.
Neil 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 digital technology, society and education for the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), British Academy, the BBC, Nuffield Foundation, the Spencer Foundation, Microsoft Partners in Learning, Becta, Centre for Distance Education, the Welsh Office, National Assembly of Wales and various local authorities.
Neil is co-editor of the journal 'Learning, Media and Technology', and a regular keynote speaker at international conferences.
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Information technology (IT) and society
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The use of digital technologies in educational settings
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The role(s) that digital technologies play in people's everyday lives
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Digital technology and social exclusion
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Public policy making in the 'information age'
Current research & writing activities
- Digital technology and the contemporary university
- Education, technology and neoliberal ideology
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The policy sociology of education and technology during the 1970s and 1980s
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Ageing and digital technology
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Open data and educational institutions
Recent articles in academic journals
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White, P. and Selwyn, N. (2013) 'Moving on-line: an analysis of patterns of adult internet use in the UK between 2002 and 2010' Information, Communication and Society 16, 1
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Selwyn, N. (2012) 'Making sense of young people, education and digital technology: the role of sociological theory' Oxford Review of Education 38, 1
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Selwyn, N. (2011) 'Its all about standardization' - exploring the digital reconfiguration of school management and administration' Cambridge Journal of Education 41, 4
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Selwyn, N. (2010) 'Looking beyond learning: notes towards the critical study of educational technology’ Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 26, 1
Recent books
- Selwyn, N. (2014) 'Degrees of digitization: digital technology and the contemporary university' London, Routledge
- Selwyn, N. (2014) 'Distrusting educational technology: critical questions for changing times' New York, Routledge
- Selwyn, N. and Facer, K. [eds] (2013) 'The politics of education and technology: conflicts, controversies and connections' New York, Palgrave Macmillan
- Selwyn, N. (2013) 'Education in a digital world: global perspectives on technology and education' New York, Routledge
- Selwyn, N. (2011) 'Education and technology: key issues and debates' London, Continuum
- Selwyn, N. (2011) 'Schools and schooling in the digital age: a critical analysis' London, Routledge
Media appearances
- Watch the Teachers TV program 'Online social networks - friend or foe?' in which myself, John Potter, Lyndsay Grant and others discuss the potential and pitfalls of web 2.0 in education - March 2008
- Radio interview on computers in the classroom with Red Symons as part of the ABC Melbourne breakfast show - March 2012
- I am interviewed as part of the OE1 Radiokolleg programme on education and technology - 'Lernen in der Netzwerkgeellschaft' - May 2012 [in German]
Links to some online writing and papers (in English)
- Selwyn, N. (2012) 'Ten suggestions for improving academic research in education and technology' Learning, Media & Technology, 37, 3
- Selwyn, N. (2011) 'Education and digital technology: the need for social realism?' in Educational Technology Sept/Oct, pp.54-56
- Selwyn, N. (2011) 'Social media in higher education' in 'The Europa World of Learning - 62nd edition' London, Routledge
- Selwyn, N. (2010) 'Degrees of digital division: reconsidering digital inequalities and contemporary higher education' Revista de Universidad y Sociedad del Conocimiento, 7, 1, pp.28-37
- Selwyn, N. [ed] (2008) 'Education 2.0? Designing the web for teaching and learning' ESRC Teaching and Learning Research Programme commentary
- Selwyn, N. (2008) 'A circus of ideas: revisiting Archigram's visions for education and architecture in the information age' London Knowledge Lab Occasional Paper
- 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 Counselling
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Selwyn, N. and Facer, K. (2007) 'Beyond the digital divide: Rethinking digital inclusion for the twenty-first century' Bristol, Futurelab. Accompanied by a follow-up Q&A piece with eGov Monitor
Links to some online writing and papers (in Chinese, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French)
- Selwyn, N. (2013) '‘提升教育与技术研究水平的十条建议’ Distance Education in China, May/June
- Selwyn, N. (2012) ‘I Social Media nell’educazione formale e informale tra potenzialità e realtà’ Tecnologie Didattiche, 20, 1, pp.4-10
- Selwyn, N. (2011) 'En defesa da diferenca digtal: uma abordagem critica sobre os desafios curriculares da web 2.0' in Dias, P. and Osorio, A. (eds) 'Aprendizagem (in)formal na web social' Braga, Centro de Competencia da Universidade do Minho
- Selwyn, N. (2010) 'Большая разница' Год безопасного Интернета, 3, pp.48-52
- Selwyn, N. and Gouseti, A. (2009) 'Escuelas y web 2.0: una perspectiva critica' paper from Educatio Siglo XXI, 27, 2
- Selwyn, N. (2008) 'O uso das TIC na educacao e a promocao de inclusao social: uma perspectiva crÌtica do Reino Unido' Educacao & Sociedade, vol, 29, no.104, pp.815-850
- Selwyn, N. (2007) 'Les jeunes et leurs besoins d'information dans le cadre de la societe de l'information' Bruxelles, la Direction de la Jeunesse et du Sport du Conceil de l'Europe/ Agence Europeenne pour l'information et le conseil des jeunes


