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Conference explores the link between the digital age and loneliness

30/01/2018

The University of Wolverhampton is hosting an International conference which focuses on exploring the link between loneliness and the use of mobiles and social media.

Dr Bianca Fox, Head of Film, Media and Broadcasting in the Faculty of Arts School of Media, is organising the ‘Loneliness in the Age of Mobile and Social Media Conference’ which is funded through the Early Researcher Award Scheme (ERAS), the School of Media and the Centre for Film, Media, Discourse and Culture at the University of Wolverhampton. 

Keynote speakers include Wolverhampton South East MP, Pat McFadden, Dr Shakuntala Banaji from the London School of Economics (LSE), Dr Jennifer Lau and Dr Zeena Feldman from King’s College London and Dr Kellie Payne from Campaign to End Loneliness.

Academics from America, Germany, India, Pakistan, Israel and China will be running sessions including exploring the relationship between mobile, social media use, personality and loneliness; negative experiences with smartphones; community and online connections and how they are affected by the digital age.

Dr Fox said:  “With the Campaign to End Loneliness launched in 2011, the BBC documentary The Age of Loneliness in 2016 and then the launch of Jo Cox's ‘Commission on Loneliness’  in January 2017, loneliness has increasingly been making the headlines and dealing with it is generating intense debates in the UK.

“Loneliness is associated with various health problems and in recent years has been associated with internet addiction and mobile phone use and addiction.  This conference will open up the debate for more detailed scrutiny into research that is taking place and also include panel sessions will explore how people can feel isolated by the increasing use of mobiles and social media.”

The conference is taking place on Friday 23rd February 2018 from 9.30 am until 6.30 pm at the University of Wolverhampton in Millennium City (MC) Building, Room 331.  Registration is FREE.  Book tickets through Eventbrite.

ENDS

For more information please contact the Media Relations Office on 01902 32 2736 or 01902 518647.

Date Issued: 30th January 2018

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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