VOME
About VOME
The purpose of VOME (Visualisation and Other Methods of Expression) is to explore how user communities engage with concepts of information privacy and consent in on-line interactions.
Researchers from the Information Security Group (ISG) at Royal Holloway, University of London, are participating in a three year collaborative research project with consent and privacy specialists at Salford and Cranfield Universities, Consult Hyperion and Sunderland City Council, to explore how people engage with concepts of information privacy and consent in on-line interactions.
The aim is to develop richer models of user requirements which ultimately enable users to make clearer on-line disclosure choices about how they manage their identity. It is anticipated that this research will contribute to removing some of the barriers that inhibit the use of on-line services through the development of software prototypes which better reflect user’s concerns about privacy and consent. In turn this will facilitate the development of systems by service providers and manufacturers that make users feel secure and confident in the way their identity information is handled.
My role in VOME
During my time at Royal Holloway University, I was approached by the Lead Researcher,and asked to handle the projects Systems Administration. My role at VOME is handled as a contractor, and not directly related to my role at Royal Holloway.
Challenges
The challenge I initially faced was being both the ISG Systems Administrator, and the VOME Systems Administrator. This means that during my work day, I have to be able to think objectively and independently about both roles, keeping my responsibilities in mind, but simultaneously not letting my work from one affect the other. This can be problematic on decisions that affect both groups, as the decision I make for one cannot have repercussions for the other.