Biography
Peter's main research area is information practices associated with engagement with digital systems. In particular, he has an active interest in issues around information literacy, and identity and trust in using online systems.
Peter has a background in information security and governance. He retains an active interest and delivers courses and lectures in these and related areas, including privacy and data protection. He works with partners to evaluate, develop and exploit information systems.
In the past, he has acted as leader of the Social Informatics research group within the Applied Informatics Subject Group (2019 and 2021-22) and as Head of International for the School of Computing (2021-22), with responsibility for supporting the development and promotion of transnational education links to universities around the world. He remains actively involved with both areas.
Peter has led a number of projects into the use of internet technologies by Community Councils in Scotland from a variety of information practice, knowledge management and learning perspectives.
He has carried out other research in library and information science, as a member of the team that conducted market research to training provision for information professionals, and barriers to impact of research on library and information science practitioners.
Peter has been a lead researcher in several e-participation projects (including EuroPetition and eRepresentative) focusing on the links between citizens and their elected representatives. He is on the Program Committee of several related conferences.