This month, first one in 2011, I'll be taking the stage to talk about a topic which VRM has led me to in the last couple of years. It is a phenomenon or movement known by several names - Personal Informatics, Quantified Self, Self-tracking, Bodyblogging, Lifeblogging, Personal Analytics and probably a few more I haven't come across yet. To me it's many names is a sign of something gathering momentum as people from different backgrounds, interests and motivations are finding common ground. 

I plan to talk about the bigger picture of Personal Informatics, what it means for personal data and individual's ability to manage them and of course, how it relates to VRM. 

Personal informatics is a class of tools that help people collect personally relevant information for the purpose of self-reflection and self-monitoring.

To you and me, it's a way of collecting data, my own, specific and personal to me, about an area of my life - activity or interest - and then making sense of that data. By analysis, visualisation, pattern-spotting, simple reference etc. 

Many applications in this space are health related as chronic condition management or wellbeing & fitness require long term data gathering and management. But there are many more areas covered. 

Instructions for arrival: (Important - please read!)

Their building is immediately at the south end of Blackfriars Bridge on the Tate Modern side of the road. If you get lost, call me (Adriana Lukas) at 07876757129.

Once you enter the building, please report to security in reception directly in front of you. They need a list of people coming beforehand, so please do sign up as soon as you can so we can provide them with the number of attendees.

It is a long way to the boardroom so would those who aim to make it for 6pm congregate in the lobby. We'll then take everyone to the meeting room. If you are going to be later, please let us know and somebody will pick you up. Being late without notification makes it unfair for the person waiting downstairs until everyone gets there and missing the discussion upstairs. With a bit of consideration this can be easily avoided. Best thing is to text me or someone at the meeting you know to let us know when you get there and somebody will come and escort you to the room.