What is this about?
It is about developing more effective and socially useful approaches to technology innovation. This initiative links three academics from the University of Sussex with tech entrepreneurs. It is designed to look at how social science research can help tech innovators move beyond models that assume that if tech receives investment and market share, then it is automatically socially useful.
With a better understanding of social knowledge and people’s real, active experiences, could we create better, more useful and more positive technologies?
The goal of the project is to help tech innovators (including our own FuseBox) and purpose-driven communities consider how they might integrate approaches derived from academic research into their practices.
Programme of Events
This initial 3-month programme with the University of Sussex runs from Jan to the end of March 2021 and looks to actively explore this perspective through the work, publications and engagement of three researchers:
- Professor of Science and Technology Policy at SPRU, Andy Stirling
- Professor of Technology and Society at SPRU, Adrian Smith
- Professor of Design and Creative Technology, Ann Light
We have paired each of these individuals with experienced and successful individuals from the digital/tech sector:
- Andy Stirling with Natalie Burns (Strategy Director at United Us),
- Adrian Smith with Rosie Sherry (Community Lead at Indie Hackers and founder of the Ministry of Testing)
- Ann Light with Ann Longley (Founder of Something New Together).
What has happened?
Natalie Burns & Professor Andy Stirling: The Politics of Uncertainty
What are the implicit assumptions in dominant innovation models and what an alternative approach might look like?
- Watch Professor Andy Stirling's talk on The Politics of Uncertainty
- Tune in to Natalie Burns in conversation with Professor Andy Stirling
- Catch up on the Roundtable event with Natalie Burns & Professor Andy Stirling
Rosie Sherry & Professor Adrian Smith: Grassroots & Community Innovation
What lessons can we learn from self-organised communities who engage with and adapt tech to suit their aims?
- Watch Professor Adrian Smith's talk on Grassroots & Community Innovation
- Watch Rosie Sherry and Professor Adrian Smith in conversation.
- Catch up on the Roundtable event with Rosie Sherry & Professor Adrian Smith
Ann Longley & Professor Ann Light: Designs to Reshape Humanity
How can design and design practices be re-thought to centre on social and environmental justice?
Get involved
If you have any questions or would like to find out more about the Society>Tech initiative, please get in touch.