To initiate the launch of several research activities involving web metrics and political behaviour (see newpolcom.rhul.ac.uk/web-metrics), the NPCU is holding a one-day workshop on 14 September 2009 to launch our focus on web metrics. The purpose of the workshop is to establish a research theme of Web metrics and political behaviour that will enable both academics and practitioners to debate and to shape an interdisciplinary research agenda that will:

1) Examine the increasing degree to which Web metrics can be used to measure and potentially predict such political behaviour from election voting to terrorism.

2) Bring together the combined expertise and opinions of academics, government and private sector actors to advance research in this field and inform debate.

3) Attract further support and interest from other people to form a community that is at the forefront at the nexus of Web metrics and political behaviour.

Speakers include:

Simon Collister: Head of Consumer Digital, Weber Shandwick

Rob Pearson: Digital Diplomacy, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Simon Bergman: Information Options

Carrie Baker and Dominic Campbell: FutureGov

Dr Maura Conway and Lisa McInery: Department of Law & Government, Dublin City University

Darren Lilleker: Department of Media and Communications, Bournemouth University

Claire Spencer: I to I Research