About the event Online communities are the foundation of the social web.  UX practioners frequently encounter challenges when designing appropriate online community platforms that will encourage interaction and engagement. Do the fans/likes and comments on a Facebook page constitute a community? Are rewards and points in a gamified community the tools to keep users returning? The UK UPA... [read more]

About the event Online communities are the foundation of the social web.  UX practioners frequently encounter challenges when designing appropriate online community platforms that will encourage interaction and engagement. Do the fans/likes and comments on a Facebook page constitute a community? Are rewards and points in a gamified community the tools to keep users returning? The UK UPA January event will bring together a panel of industry leaders who will share their perspectives and experiences on how design can foster (or inhibit) online community interaction. We will consider how user experience in online communities has evolved in tandem with technological tools and the growing platforms for communication.  We will discuss the challenges of fostering community and if the very definition of online community has changed and evolved as a result of new technology.   Logistics of the event Date - Thursday, 19 January 2012 Time - 6:30pm for 7pm start Location - SapientNitro, 8 Spital Square, London, E1 6DU Format of the evening 6:30 - 7:00 :: Meet and Greet 7:00 - 8:00 :: Talks by 4 speakers (details below) 8:00 - 8:30 :: Q & A (moderated by Andrea Lewis) 8.45 - 9.30 :: Networking Please start tweeting your thoughts now and also during the event! About the speakers Kam Star, Chief Play Officer at PlayGen: Gamification and community engagement  Games are amazing