Mr Steve Thompson
Research Facilitator
Steve Thompson is Community Media Coordinator in the Institute for Digital Innovation at the University of Teesside and is recognised in the UK as a leading figure in the world of community engagement through ICT. Steve began his working life as a Steelworker at Consett Steel Works and then moved to the music industry. In recent years, Steve has managed a community radio station, taught BTEC Music Composition and BTEC Music Technology and now develops and teaches Community Media for the University of Teesside. Steve is involved in research communities such as the University of Teesside’s WISER group (Web Integrated Social Environmental Research) and with several other Universities in the PRADSA group (Practical Design for Social Action). He is a founder member of the international Community Informatics Research Network (CIRN). He has managed the ICT projects Tees Valley Communities Online and E-Create. Both of these projects have been recognised for innovation and invention in the field of community ICT.
Steve is currently working with diverse groups to achieve digital inclusion through community media. These groups, combining a variety of ages and ethnicities. Steve also develops and designs ICT solutions for community groups wishing to engage in community media and is an advocate for the social development and sustainability that open source software affords. Steve has collaborated with and advised many national organisations including NIACE, BECTA and Futurelab and has given keynote addresses at the The Community Media Association, Futurelab, Nesta and Becta Annual Conferences.