Oxford Professor of Internet Studies appointed Chair of Ofcom Advisory Committee
5 February 2009
Professor William Dutton, Director of the Oxford Internet Institute (OII) at Oxford University, has been appointed as Chair of Ofcom's Advisory Committee for England and Member of the Advisory Committee for the South East region. The appointment is for a period of three years.
Professor Dutton, Director of the OII and Professor of Internet Studies at Oxford, is an expert in emerging technologies, and how they shape both policy and the citizen and consumer experience. A Fellow of Balliol College, his department focuses on the societal implications of emerging technologies like the internet. His research includes the Oxford Internet Surveys (OxIS), surveys regularly undertaken since 2003, which look at the influence of the internet on everyday life in Britain. He is also Principal Investigator of the Oxford e-Social Science Project (OeSS), which examines the increasing role that advanced information and computer technology plays in the conduct and sharing of scientific digital research, and the benefits that such pooled knowledge can bring to the global community.
Ofcom, the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, announced the appointment of eight new members, including the new Chair today. The England Advisory Committee provides advice to Ofcom about the interests and opinions, in relation to communications matters, of people living in England. The Committee's remit includes: identifying issues affecting the communications sector, with particular reference to the sectors where they have particular knowledge or expertise; offering comment, as appropriate, on consultations undertaken by Ofcom; giving advice on the promotion of media literacy; and providing advice on matters affecting consumers of the communications industry.
Commenting on his new appointment, Professor Dutton said: 'I am delighted by the opportunity I've been offered and look forward to working with Ofcom. The internet, and media and communication generally, will play an increasingly crucial role in the economy of the Southeast, England and Britain.'
For more information or for a photograph of Professor William Dutton, please contact the University of Oxford Press Office on 01865 280534 or email press.office@admin.ox.ac.uk