Catalyst is a research project that aims to use digital technology for social change. It brings together community members and academics to co-create prototypes through various programs like Serendipity Cafes and Launchpads. The event highlighted the Catalyst overview and opportunities for involvement, including a showcase of prototypes like #Pat that were developed through their citizen-led process of co-research and co-production.
2. Today’s event
Catalyst Connects
13.45 Catalyst Overview
14.00 Catalyst Serendipity Café: Grand Challenges – Eric Gill
15.30 Tea Break
16.00 Show & Tell – Sun Terrace
17.15 Future Opportunities
Prototype Launch
18.30 – 20.00 Patchworks
3. Catalyst research aims
• Digital Technology for Social Change
• Understanding behaviour
– Why do people participate (or not) in
society/civic actions?
• Tools for change
– Next generation social tools for social change
• Citizen-led
• Inter-disciplinary
14. Get Involved - opportunities
• Expressions of interest for Serendipity
cafes - looking for 2nd half of 2013
• Applications to Launch pads – deadline
14th December 2012
• Round 3 Sprints – call opens 2013
15. Project criteria
• Contribute to the Catalyst research aims
• Develop a prototype of a new digital
technology that supports citizen-led social
innovation
• Community-Academic partnerships
Patchworks as an example: Research Sprint – 8 MonthsIs it possible to co-design, with homeless communities, a simple and cheap health monitoring and communication tool using the methods and materials of ‘personal manufacturing’ (DIY-Bio/garage science)? Working with Madlab & SignpostsWe briefly describe current Catalyst projects, to give a flavour of the research. #patchworks involves Lancaster’s School of Healthand Medicine, Lancaster Environment Centre, Signposts (a community resource centre in Morecambe), and MadLab, a Manchester-based not-for-profit community of hackers and innovators. In the project, Signposts volunteers are co-designing a prototype tool using cheap, open source technology that can help to improve support services for the homelessIntro to Patchworks and Ref to the SRA abstract ‘routine chaos’http://vimeo.com/43110132Good refs to Chaotic LivesCornes, M., Joly, L., Manthorpe, J., O'Halloran, S. and Smyth, R. (2011). Working Together to Address Multiple Exclusion Homelessness. Social Policy and Society, 10, pp 513-522 doi:10.1017/S1474746411000261Brown, P., Morris, G., Scullion, L. and Somerville, P. (2012) Losing and Finding a Home: Homelessness, Multiple Exclusion and Everyday Lives. University of Salford. Accessed via http://www.homelesspages.org.uk/node/24491Fitzpatrick, S., Johnsen, S. and White, M. (2011). Multiple Exclusion Homelessness in the UK: Key Patterns and Intersections. Social Policy and Society, 10, pp 501-512 doi:10.1017/S147474641100025X Rogers, R., (2009). The End of the Virtual: Digital Methods, Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2009. Young, S. D. and Rice, E. (2011). Online Social Networking Technologies, HIV Knowledge, and Sexual Risk and Testing Behaviors Among Homeless Youth. AIDS and Behavior, 2011, Volume 15, Number 2, Pages 253-260
Note: Tim Dant will say a few words about Launch pads as part of Future Opportunities
Qualitative, quant & computing science digital and development