Julie Freeman - Postgraduate Profile
Current Research
My research project, Viable Democracy? Local Government and the Connected Citizen, investigates local government policy frameworks and the impact they have upon constituents’ capacity for democratic participation and connection with government through networked communication technologies. By utilising a ‘grounded’ theoretical approach, I aim to provide empirical evidence of the ways democratic participation and enactment of public life are taking place in contemporary society. I hope to furthermore illustrate the ways in which local governments can potentially facilitate new forms of civic engagement by adapting their practices through information and communication technologies to create new public spaces.
Academic Qualifications
PhD Candidate, Monash University, September 2006 – present
Bachelor of Communication (Honours), Monash University, 2004
Bachelor of Communication, Monash University, 2001-2003
Research Activities
Publications
Freeman, J. and Hutchins, B. (in press) ‘Balancing the Digital Democratic Deficit? E-Government Strategies, Local Politics and Citizen Engagement’, Media International Australia incorporating Culture and Policy.
Freeman, J. (2008) Review of Couldry, N., Livingstone, S. and Markham, T. (2007) ‘Media Consumption and Public Engagement: Beyond the Presumption of Attention’, Media International Australia incorporating Culture and Policy, No. 128, p. 156.
Freeman, J. (2007) ‘True/False’ Question Modules, Companion Website for Holmes, D., Hughes, K. and Julian, R. (2007) Australian Sociology: A Changing Society, 2nd Edition, Sydney, Pearson Education, available at http://wps.pearsoned.com.au/au_hss_holmes_soc_2/
Conferences
Freeman, J. (2008) ‘Civic Connection and the Availability of Action-Contexts’, International and Intercultural Communications in the Age of Digital Media, School of English, Communications and Performance Studies, Monash University, 11-13 August.
Freeman, J. (2007) ‘Viable Democracy? Local Government and the Connected Citizen’, Emergent Voices, School of Political and Social Inquiry, Monash University, 27 November.
Freeman, J. (2007) ‘Bypassing Bipartisanship: Local Government and the Role of ICTs’, Communications, Civics, Industry, The Australian and New Zealand Communication Association Conference, La Trobe University, 5-7 July.