How do people understand Communication Technologies?
My interests are in how the affordances and constraints of communication technologies affect language, social action, and culture. My primary research area is Computer-Mediated Communication, which I gloss as being about how people make sense of technology and make sense with one another via technology.
My specialisations are in interactive communication technologies such as typographic chat systems and videoconferencing. I am especially interested in how people deal with trouble arising from technology–from anticipated/unanticipated design issues, operational problems, through to difficulties arising from the separation of interactional perspectives.
I collect data through participant observation and recording/remote recording, and then analyse interactions between people–and people and technology–in micro-level qualitative detail (Ethnomethodology/Conversation Analysis).
So far all of my research has been basic research, but I am also interested in applied research such as improved technology development, training, interventions etc. I am also interested in doing more socially responsible/meaningful research that actively engages with practitioners and the wider community.
My second research interest area, yet to be developed, is in the history of popular representations of interactive Communication Technologies.
More…
- Articles
- Awards, Grants, and Partnerships
- Conference Papers
- Consulting
- Editing – Journals
- Education
- Employment
- Honours
- Invited Presentations
- Research
- Service – Community
- Service – Professional
- Teaching
My official work pages
- EMSAH page: E. Sean Rintel – School of English, Media Studies, and Art History
- UQ reSEARCHers page: E. Sean Rintel – UQ reSEARCHers
