I’m at the ‘Institutional Web Managers Workshop’ in Sheffield for the next few days. I’m running a workshop later today, but I’m really grateful to Statistics into Decisions, who have provided sponsorship for a number of attendees, including me – without this I would have just been turning up for my workshop, then heading home – instead I can attend the whole event, and get a chance to hear the other speakers and talk to the other attendees.

The theme of the workshop this year (it’s the 14th IWMW event), is ‘the web in turbulent times’, and opening the conference the Marieke Guy and Brian Kelly (the Chair and Co-Chair of the event) are setting the scene.

Brian reflecting on the fact we’ve enjoyed growth and development in insitutional web investment and activity over the last 10 or so years – up until last year, when the future looked a lot more uncertain. Now we are starting to see cuts being introduced – and these are going to impact on education and the related web community.

During the workshop there is going to be use of various technologies to try things out and build a community. Examples:

• Use of Twitter – can use the hashtag #iwmw10, as well as hashtags for sessions (this session is #p0), and the #eureka hashtag for moments of realisation
• Use of QR codes to play a game
• Use of various technologies including video streams, twitter streams etc. to ‘amplify’ the event and enable participation from those not able to attend in person

What is the purpose of IWMW? Brian and Marieke started to draw up a list – posted at http://iwmw.ukoln.ac.uk/blog/2010/2010/07/the-role-of-iwmw/ and looking for feedback.