Lois is a productive researcher with more than 80 publications since the commencement of her academic career. Lois graduated from the University of Wollongong with a Bachelors (Class I Hons) degree in 1996 and a PhD in 2006. Prior to commencing her academic career in 1998, Lois held a number of administrative and management positions in the Public Sector. In addition to these positions, Lois has worked with a number of community-based organisations, in hospitality and retail industry sectors.
Lois has extensive experience in industry-based training, staff development, EEO, HRM, planning, policy and strategy development, government accounting and user requirements definition in systems development. During this time Lois also held a number of elected positions and served on numerous departmental and inter-departmental management committees. She was also actively involved in the Spokeswoman's program administered by the NSW Premier's department.
Lois moved to her current position in Marketing from the Faculty of Informatics, where she lectured in IT following the completion of her PhD in 2006.
Leadership for Excellence in Learning & Teaching Program
Impact
Impact Story
Living Connected: Digital inclusion overcoming isolation of Elders
<p><a href="http://livingconnected.org.au/" title="Living Connected Website" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Living Connected</a> has created a service to improve the digital literacy of older citizens who live in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven.<em> </em>This service applies the results of four year's research into why and how older people use digital devices and on the benefits to social well-being from this use.</p><p>As developed countries struggle to find suitable living arrangements for their ageing populations, many elderly citizens are becoming increasingly marginalized and isolated. Isolation is known to lead to severe problems such as depression. There is a large body of evidence that remaining active and are major contributors to health and wellbeing of the elderly. With age, the physical capability to get out and about diminishes. Meanwhile, digital technology continues to improve, providing new ways to connect with others and engage in exciting new activities.</p><p>The most recent Telstra report on digital inclusion in Australia reveals that older citizens are missing out on the benefits of the Internet; something that the rest of us take for granted. Government agencies, businesses and community services expect everyone to interact with them online and are making it difficult to access service in personal. This is a real challenge for the digitally excluded.</p><p>The mission of Living Connected is to be a not-for profit community enterprise providing services for the social well-being of elders assisting them to set up and use a computer whereby they remain independent, connected and engaged. Research into the outcomes of social services has identified eight domains of wellbeing, three of which are on a higher level than the others: maintaining independence, staying connected and being able to engage in meaningful activities. Our research has demonstrated ways by which computers can be used to improve well-being in these domains; maintaining independence by doing banking and other transactions online; connecting with family and friends through email. Skype, and Facebook and spending spare time sdoing an online course or your familiar history and much more.</p><p>Our research revealed the importance of (1) focussing on 1 or 2 things that each person wants to do. (2) getting the best technology for each person and what they want (3) getting a few 1-on-1 lessons on their own device, just enough to do the one thing they want to do most and (4) having someone they can call on for help when they get stuck.</p><p>Our biggest challenge is to build up a viable and sustainable social business where those who can pay for services but no-one misses out. We have seed funding from NBNCo and Telstra; help from iAccelerate; and a great team, many of whom are volunteers.</p>
<p>Five years ago, the collaborators began research into the ways older people used computers and what benefits they would get from this. We used an action research approach where we ran interventions which took the form of weekly computer classes in aged care facilities. We observed and recorded what older people chose to do, how they progressed and what difference this made to their wellbeing. We received support from the Faculty of Commerce and access to residents of aged-care facilities belonging to IRT and the RFBI. </p><p>At the conclusion of the research, many of the participants wanted to continue these weekly sessions and so, with the help of volunteers, these continued as drop-in help sessions in 2 facilities. A third formed their own computer club. The manager of their services also spoke to us of the need to help older people still resident in their homes. This was seen as an area of great need, as older people, living at home, were often not able to get out much and were becoming isolated from community and services.</p><p>To meet these needs, Living Connected was created as a social enterprise aiming to improve the wellbeing through digital literacy of older people who live in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region of NSW. Based on the core findings of the research we support clients to improve their wellbeing by maintaining independence, staying connected and being able to engage in meaningful activities. Using other findings from the research, we designed the service to focus on the particular needs of clients and not on the technology. We assist seniors individually by helping them to identify what is becoming difficult to do with age and then to understand what sort of computer and ancillaries would best help them overcome those difficulties. They are then guided to setup and use a suitable device whereby they remain connected and engaged in doing whatever it is that they want to do. They are not left to fend for themselves but ongoing support is available through a group of local volunteers.</p><p>Although our service was greatly appreciated, it was a challenge to transform from a small group of volunteers to a viable and sustainable not-for-profit business. In August 2016, Living Connected was accepted as a resident start-up at iAccelerate business incubator. We learnt there how to pitch our message so that in early 2017 we received $35K seed funding from NBN Co and the Vita Foundation.</p><p>The Living Connected team now has a mix of contract helpers and volunteers who are all passionate about what we do. <em>Our</em><em> services include</em></p><ul><li>a Home Service tailored to individual needs and with ongoing support</li><li>Drop-In 1-on-1 help sessions on the Innovation Campus and at local community centres</li><li>training for volunteer helpers and carers delivering our services</li><li>setting up computer clubs in aged care facility and running classes on popular topics</li></ul><p>Living Connected provides its services to all who need it as a not-for-profit, community business operating across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven. Living Connected works as the hub of a growing network as we establish partnerships with aged-care providers, local government and libraries, local IT businesses, service organisations and others. What Living Connected does is not always easy. We meet many people who are frustrated trying to get older members of their family to use a computer. However it can be very rewarding to make just a bit of progress. There is great joy to be gained by helping someone, who has never used a computer, to skype to family, surf the internet, do their own online banking and shopping and much more. </p>
Beneficiary
Quantification
Description
Evidence
Description
Supervision
Advisees
Graduate Advising Relationship
Degree
Research Title
Advisee
Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)
A Framework to Improve Engagement of Users of Business Instagram Sites (Current however subject to revision)
Keogh, Penny
Service
Outreach Overview
Lois holds the position of Research Director, Aged Care Crisis Incorporated. She is currently on the editorial board of the Journal of Theoretical and Applied eCommerce Research (JTAER) and the Journal of IS and Small Business (JISSB). She has served as a guest reviewer on a number of prestigious journals including Journal of IS and Small Business (JISSB). Lois also serves on the program committee of a number of national and international eCommerce and IS conferences. Professional memberships include IFITT (International Forum for Information Technology in Tourism); IFIP TC8 (International Forum on Information Processing) Electronic Commerce Research Group Working Party; FITT (Females in IT) Subgroup of AIIA (Australian Information Industries Association); CollECTeR (Collaborative Electronic Commerce Teaching and Research); IADIS (International Association for Development of the Information Society).
Background
Education And Training
Bachelor of Information Technology and Communication (Honors Class 1)
in Business Information Systems,
University of Wollongong
Leadership for Excellence in Learning & Teaching Program
Impact
Impact Story
Living Connected: Digital inclusion overcoming isolation of Elders
<p><a href="http://livingconnected.org.au/" title="Living Connected Website" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Living Connected</a> has created a service to improve the digital literacy of older citizens who live in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven.<em> </em>This service applies the results of four year's research into why and how older people use digital devices and on the benefits to social well-being from this use.</p><p>As developed countries struggle to find suitable living arrangements for their ageing populations, many elderly citizens are becoming increasingly marginalized and isolated. Isolation is known to lead to severe problems such as depression. There is a large body of evidence that remaining active and are major contributors to health and wellbeing of the elderly. With age, the physical capability to get out and about diminishes. Meanwhile, digital technology continues to improve, providing new ways to connect with others and engage in exciting new activities.</p><p>The most recent Telstra report on digital inclusion in Australia reveals that older citizens are missing out on the benefits of the Internet; something that the rest of us take for granted. Government agencies, businesses and community services expect everyone to interact with them online and are making it difficult to access service in personal. This is a real challenge for the digitally excluded.</p><p>The mission of Living Connected is to be a not-for profit community enterprise providing services for the social well-being of elders assisting them to set up and use a computer whereby they remain independent, connected and engaged. Research into the outcomes of social services has identified eight domains of wellbeing, three of which are on a higher level than the others: maintaining independence, staying connected and being able to engage in meaningful activities. Our research has demonstrated ways by which computers can be used to improve well-being in these domains; maintaining independence by doing banking and other transactions online; connecting with family and friends through email. Skype, and Facebook and spending spare time sdoing an online course or your familiar history and much more.</p><p>Our research revealed the importance of (1) focussing on 1 or 2 things that each person wants to do. (2) getting the best technology for each person and what they want (3) getting a few 1-on-1 lessons on their own device, just enough to do the one thing they want to do most and (4) having someone they can call on for help when they get stuck.</p><p>Our biggest challenge is to build up a viable and sustainable social business where those who can pay for services but no-one misses out. We have seed funding from NBNCo and Telstra; help from iAccelerate; and a great team, many of whom are volunteers.</p>
<p>Five years ago, the collaborators began research into the ways older people used computers and what benefits they would get from this. We used an action research approach where we ran interventions which took the form of weekly computer classes in aged care facilities. We observed and recorded what older people chose to do, how they progressed and what difference this made to their wellbeing. We received support from the Faculty of Commerce and access to residents of aged-care facilities belonging to IRT and the RFBI. </p><p>At the conclusion of the research, many of the participants wanted to continue these weekly sessions and so, with the help of volunteers, these continued as drop-in help sessions in 2 facilities. A third formed their own computer club. The manager of their services also spoke to us of the need to help older people still resident in their homes. This was seen as an area of great need, as older people, living at home, were often not able to get out much and were becoming isolated from community and services.</p><p>To meet these needs, Living Connected was created as a social enterprise aiming to improve the wellbeing through digital literacy of older people who live in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region of NSW. Based on the core findings of the research we support clients to improve their wellbeing by maintaining independence, staying connected and being able to engage in meaningful activities. Using other findings from the research, we designed the service to focus on the particular needs of clients and not on the technology. We assist seniors individually by helping them to identify what is becoming difficult to do with age and then to understand what sort of computer and ancillaries would best help them overcome those difficulties. They are then guided to setup and use a suitable device whereby they remain connected and engaged in doing whatever it is that they want to do. They are not left to fend for themselves but ongoing support is available through a group of local volunteers.</p><p>Although our service was greatly appreciated, it was a challenge to transform from a small group of volunteers to a viable and sustainable not-for-profit business. In August 2016, Living Connected was accepted as a resident start-up at iAccelerate business incubator. We learnt there how to pitch our message so that in early 2017 we received $35K seed funding from NBN Co and the Vita Foundation.</p><p>The Living Connected team now has a mix of contract helpers and volunteers who are all passionate about what we do. <em>Our</em><em> services include</em></p><ul><li>a Home Service tailored to individual needs and with ongoing support</li><li>Drop-In 1-on-1 help sessions on the Innovation Campus and at local community centres</li><li>training for volunteer helpers and carers delivering our services</li><li>setting up computer clubs in aged care facility and running classes on popular topics</li></ul><p>Living Connected provides its services to all who need it as a not-for-profit, community business operating across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven. Living Connected works as the hub of a growing network as we establish partnerships with aged-care providers, local government and libraries, local IT businesses, service organisations and others. What Living Connected does is not always easy. We meet many people who are frustrated trying to get older members of their family to use a computer. However it can be very rewarding to make just a bit of progress. There is great joy to be gained by helping someone, who has never used a computer, to skype to family, surf the internet, do their own online banking and shopping and much more. </p>
Beneficiary
Quantification
Description
Evidence
Description
Supervision
Advisees
Graduate Advising Relationship
Degree
Research Title
Advisee
Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)
A Framework to Improve Engagement of Users of Business Instagram Sites (Current however subject to revision)
Keogh, Penny
Service
Outreach Overview
Lois holds the position of Research Director, Aged Care Crisis Incorporated. She is currently on the editorial board of the Journal of Theoretical and Applied eCommerce Research (JTAER) and the Journal of IS and Small Business (JISSB). She has served as a guest reviewer on a number of prestigious journals including Journal of IS and Small Business (JISSB). Lois also serves on the program committee of a number of national and international eCommerce and IS conferences. Professional memberships include IFITT (International Forum for Information Technology in Tourism); IFIP TC8 (International Forum on Information Processing) Electronic Commerce Research Group Working Party; FITT (Females in IT) Subgroup of AIIA (Australian Information Industries Association); CollECTeR (Collaborative Electronic Commerce Teaching and Research); IADIS (International Association for Development of the Information Society).
Background
Education And Training
Bachelor of Information Technology and Communication (Honors Class 1)
in Business Information Systems,
University of Wollongong