Mobile First Technology Initiative Partnership Workshop

About the Workshop

The Mobile First Technology Initiative Partnership Workshop was hosted at the Future Inn in Moncton, New Brunswick on January 10th, 2014. The purpose of the workshop was to engage and seek input from representatives of a broad cross section of stakeholders in the ICT sector, including academic researchers, the private sector, and public-sector organizations. The objectives of the workshop were to: increase awareness of the opportunities in mobile first strategies; promote the development of a broader research consortium around the Mobile First Technology Initiative; encourage the development of more industry-sponsored research projects at NBCC; facilitate greater interaction within the mobile domain among SMEs in the Atlantic region; and discuss related topics, such as the management of intellectual property within research consortia.

This workshop is part of NBCC's strategy to involve new academic researchers and industry partners in the Mobile First Initiative. NBCC identified mobile first as a strategically important area for innovation and skills development through a consultative process involving stakeholders in New Brunswick's information and communications technology ecosystem.

Speakers

Catherine Middleton, B. A. (Queen's), MBA (Bond University, Australia), Ph. D. (York). Dr. Middleton holds a Canada Research Chair in Communication Technologies in the Information Society. Her research focuses on the development and use of new communication technologies, with specific interests in mobile devices and fixed and wireless broadband networks. She is also interested in how Canadians use (or don't use) the internet in their daily lives.

Dr. Middleton's research has been funded by SSHRC, Infrastructure Canada, Institute for a Broadband-Enabled Society, Statistics Canada and Ryerson University. Her research projects have investigated the use of ubiquitous communication technologies (like Blackberries) in organizations, the development of next generation broadband networks, competition in the Canadian broadband market, and Canadians' internet use. She was the Principal Investigator for the Community Wireless Infrastructure Research Project and is the Co-Investigator on the Canadian Spectrum Policy Research Project.

John Weigelt is responsible for driving Microsoft Canada's strategic policy and technology efforts. In this role, Mr. Weigelt helps business and governments innovate with technology while avoiding the unintended consequences that might arise. He leads Canadian outreach for Economic Development, Privacy, Security, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Government 3.0, Accessibility, Environmental Sustainability and Interoperability.

John is a member of the science and technology advisory committee of Innovacorp, the internship review committee for Auto21 and is a board member of ICTC.

David Foord has more than 20 years experience in contract drafting, technology transfer, and intellectual property and innovation management. He has work experience in both university and private sectors, including positions with Simon Fraser University, the University of New Brunswick, and Atlantic Hydrogen Inc. Major accomplishments in the information-technology sector during his direction of the UNB technology transfer program from 1999 to 2000 included transactions and projects in support of the development of Q1 Labs, Green Imaging Technologies, and Inversa Systems. At UNB he authored or co-authored over $7 million in successful Tri-Council innovation funding programs.

David is a member of the Licensing Executives Society and a Certified Licensing Professional. David holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Campion College, a law degree from Dalhousie University, and a doctorate in interdisciplinary studies from the University of New Brunswick. His doctoral studies focused on the history of science and technology and the field of innovation studies. He is a part-time faculty member at St. Thomas University.