Victoria Wang

Deviance in a Cybercommunity

Thesis Abstract:

Are cybercommunities new "hotbeds of deviance"? Current research on deviance in cybercommunities seems to suggest that some fundamental characteristics of these communities, such as anonymity, have resulted in high levels of deviance. To achieve a fresh and deeper understanding, this thesis explores, theoretically and empirically, the nature of deviance in cybercommunities in the context of a thorough sociological account of the conditions and characteristics of modernity. Drawing on ideas mainly from Giddens' theories of modernity, the formation and various aspects of cybercommunities may be understood as extreme products of modernity.

This research aims to meld theory and empirical work together to achieve a coherent account of deviance in cybercommunities. Giddens' theories form an abstract framework, which places the research in a particular theoretical position where the relevance for criminology of the general social theory of Giddens, is analysed. During the empirical investigation, these theories are used as a set of guidelines to direct and shape the identification of the four main research themes: norm, power, self-identity and conformity, as well as, the collection of data. Next, Giddens' notions, such as time space distanciation, reflexivity, trust and risk, alongside the four main themes, are centre to the reflexive and coherent account of deviance in Second Life in Chapter Five (Understanding Deviance in Second Life). In accordance with the interpretive relationship between theory and empirical work, this research couples a grounded theory approach with adaptive theorising. Special attention is paid to the use of technologies that are native to cybercommunities in the research process.

The cybercommunity Second Life is selected as a research field, because it may be understood as an exemplar of modernity, both sociologically and technologically. Through an in-depth analysis of data gathered from online participant observation, questionnaire and discussion in a Second Life residential forum, this research shows that the deviance in cybercommunities may not necessarily mean any 'real' deviance in these communities, but reflects some broader social anxieties born out of, and associated with, the conditions of modernity. The thesis concludes by stressing the questionable effectiveness of technology as a regulator, both in Second Life and in the real world, and advocates the importance of social bond as a mediator of deviance.

PhD Supervisors

Professor Kevin R. Haines

Professor John V. Tucker

Publications

Journal

1. Wang V., Tucker J.V. & Haines K., Phatic technology in modern society, Technology in Society, 2012, in press.

2. Wang V., Haines K. & Tucker J.V., Deviance and Control in Communities with Perfect Surveillance - The Case of Second Life, Surveillance & Society (2011), 9(1); ISSN: 1477-7487.

3. Wang V., Tucker J.V. & Rihll T.E., On phatic technologies for creating and maintaining human relationships, Technology in Society, Vol.33 (1-2), 2011: 44-51.

4. Chen, T.M. & Wang, V., Web Filtering and Censoring, Computer, IEEE Computer Society, March 2010: 94-97.

5. Wang, V., Tucker, J.V. & Haines, K., Phatic Technology and Modernity, WebSci’ 09: Society On-Line, Athens, Greece, 18th-20th March, 2009. WebSci 09: Society On-Line 2009

6. Wang, V., Why do people participate in cybercommunities?, WebSci’09: Society On-Line, Athens, Greece, 18th-20th March, 2009. WebSci 09: Society On-Line 2009

Conference

Wang V., Deviance in a Cybercommunity, The First Welsh Criminology Conference, Gregynog Hall, 6th-7th April, 2009.

Wang V., Grounded Theory in the Cyber Context, British Society of Criminology Conference, LSE, 18-20 September, 2007.

Wang V., How is crime defined, experienced, understood and governed in cybercommunities?, British Society of Criminology Conference, LSE, 18-20 September, 2007.

Other Research Interests

6. Methodology and methods for social research in cyberspace, including the designing and programming of online survey

Research Positions

Bridging the Gap Research Officer (October 2010 - October 2011, full time)

Department of Computer Science, School of Physical Sciences, Swansea University

Honorary Research Fellow (May 2010 - )

Centre for Criminal Justice and Criminology, School of Law, Swansea University

2evaluate Research Officer (January 2010 - July 2010, part time (0.6))

School of Humanities, Swansea University

I am responsible for investigating the use of a range of Web 2.0 technologies in student-based learning. The project is inter-disciplinary and will explore generic applications of technologies within the e-learning environment at Swansea.

Research Assistant (January 2008 - July 2008, part time (0.5))

Institute of Advanced Telecommunications, Swansea University

I was responsible for designing online research methods, questionnaires and carrying out online research.

Teaching Positions

Part-time Lecturer/module leader (2009 - 2010)

Department of Humanities, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff

HMX222 Globalisation and Culture & HMX221 Digital Culture and Technology. I am also responsible for the supervision of a third year dissertation.

Teaching Assistant (2006 - 2010)

Centre for Criminal Justice and Criminology, Swansea University

I have been responsible for over 40 hours of seminars and 20 hours of lectures in the area of Theoretical Criminology at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels.

Guest Lecturer (2006 - 2010)

Department of Computer Science, Swansea University

I have been responsible for 10 hours of lectures in the areas of Internet History and Computer Science and Society.

Assistant Tutor (2006 summer and 2007 summer)

Department of Adult Continuing Education, Swansea University

I was responsible for 24 hours of teaching in the area of criminology, specialising cybercrime. The program - “Reaching Wider Reaching Higher” was run by the Department of Adult Continuous Education, Swansea University, which is designed to widen access into higher education for underrepresented groups of young people in Wales through increasing their educational aspirations and attainment.

Education

2005 - 2009 PhD Criminology, Swansea University, UK (Graduation - July 2010)

2002 - 2005 BSc Computer Science, Swansea University, UK

Third year project “An Investigation of Computer Crime” - supervised by Professor John V. Tucker

2001 - 2002 A Levels, SATs & SATIIs Nang Yang Junior College, Singapore

SATs & SATIIs in English Writing, English Proficiency, Mathematics II, and Chinese

1999 - 2001 O Levels Chung Cheng High Secondary School (main), Singapore

English, Chinese, Chinese Literature, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Pure Physics, Pure Chemistry, and Geography

Dr. Victoria Wang

PhD Criminology (2009)

Centre for Criminal Justice and Criminology,

School of Law, Swansea University

BSc Computer Science (2005)

Department of Computer Science,

College of Science, Swansea University

Email: vichil471026@hotmail.com

Looking for research opportunities, i.e. a fellowship

Research