JenReviewKevin

Proposal Presentation Review

Presenter: Kevin Reviewer: Jen Barton

1. Did the presentation clearly describe the aims of the research – empirical, conceptual, methodological and practical?

I really liked the specific example of how a blind person might experience a website. Gave me something to hang the rest of the stuff on.

2. Did the presentation provide an overview of what we already know about the research subject, and then explain how the proposed research will create new knowledge?

I really like just the plain comparison between how disability is constructed differently in cyberspace and physical space and how constructed that shows disability to be.

I mostly hear policy implications from your project, which is good. If there is also a more conceptual contribution that you are interested in making just as strongly, you may need to weight your presentation a little bit differently.

3. Did the presentation provide a robust sense of how the research will be carried out, and of the type of data that will be collected?

Why youtube in particular? What makes that a good case study? Why center your case study around particular software as opposed to a particular disability? (I think you have good reasons, I just want to hear them.)

4. Did the research plan presented seem credible and feasible?

Good start—I would want to hear more about specifically where you're going, which groups, etc. Although that slide might have flashed by as I was writing something down...

5. Did the presentation provide a tangible sense of the book and other outcomes of the research?

In a general sense, yes.

6. Did the presentation persuade you that the proposed research is important, in this historical moment in particular?

Yes. Very nicely articulated.

7. Was the speaking style clear, engaging and well timed?

Generally, yes. You are a good speaker overall, and well-organized. The only thing was that you talked faster and faster as you went along. It got a little dizzying

8. Further comments and questions. I really like Ron's comment/question about how the disabled have constructed cyberspace as an addition to how cyberspace is constructed for the disabled and how disability is constructed in cyberspace.