AFTER five years of evening classes and a further 12 months producing a 16,000 word dissertation local councillor Geoff Settle has been awarded an MSc in Information Systems at the University of Chester – thanks to warrington-worldwide!
Geoff who represents the Poulton North Ward on Warrington Borough Council, said: “I am very grateful to the 400 citizens in the towns of Warrington and Douglas (Isle of Man) who completed my seven page questionnaire. I shouldn’t forget members of the warrington worldwide forum who took part in my on-line surveys and discussion forum threads. This has definitely been the hardest piece of work that I have undertaken but it has been the most satisfying.”
The idea for his dissertation came during the induction week for newly elected councillors in May 2010. He added: “The research title ‘e21st Century Councillor’ was used during one of the training sessions and I knew that it would make an ideal topic. It was a great excuse to study people’s perceptions of how council members communicate especially using modern technologies like email and social networking sites. During the life time of the study there were also many examples of the changing political uses of the new technologies to draw from in the towns as well as national and international examples that hit the headlines.”
Geoff studied at the University of Chester’s Fearnhead Campus which is only a five minute walk away from his home. His son is also studying there and is on track to complete his degree in sport’s coaching (specialising in rugby league) this year whilst his daughter aims to graduate at Keele University in 2013.
Geoff added: “Nick and I are both lucky to have a University on our doorstep. I have seen it develop from strength to strength over many years and with the Wolves making it their centre of excellence it has added something very special to my ward.”
Geoff has the choice of receiving his degree from either the University of Chester or the University of Liverpool. “My wife is a secretary at the University of Liverpool and normally she plays a role in organising the degree ceremony. It will be nice for her to watch the proceedings this year as part of the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall audience in July.”
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