There are still some outposts of industry amongst the bars and retaurants on the gentrifying streets of east london. This building is on Orsman Road near regents canal in Shoreditch. It’s now used as artists studios but as I passed I had a vision of engineers engaged in research, sat in workshops with calibrated tools. This was a vingette of engineering from the 50’s and 60’s, and likely straight from NASA’s beautiful image archives.

Ah how times have changed. Buildings change, our attitudes about what engineering is have perhaps changed, and through this project we hope to give an idea of how research is changing. More ambitiously, the project asks - how should we describe the relationship between the outcomes of research and our experiences of change? With this in mind we’re been busy visiting engineering departments to interview researchers about what they do and why they do it. I’ll shortly add videos and other documentation to this site, so stay tuned. There are some initial details on this page, get in touch if you want to open your doors and talk about your own work.

Material Beliefs is interested in exploring technologies that are being used to repair and extend the functions of our bodies.

While popular representations of these technologies create discussion and excitement, with your help we would like to show an account of current research activity, and how it is expected to lead to new products and services.

This is a chance for you to talk about the opportunities offered by the technologies you are engaged in, and to describe your enthusiasm for what you are doing.

Let us know if you would like to be interviewed about your work, and we can arrange a visit to suit you.

RESEARCHER – 2 POSTS
Up to £34,888 pa incl
Part time (0.2ftte) 14 months fixed term
New Cross, London

Material Beliefs is funded by the EPSRC and based in the Interaction Research Studio, within the Department of Design, Goldsmiths, University of London. Material Beliefs will focus on technologies which blur the boundaries between our bodies and materials. How can we deploy design to invigorate a public discussion about the value of these forms of hybridity?

The aim of this project is to pair experienced research engineers and designers through a residency program, which will lead to a series of public exhibitions and engagement events. You will be supported in the creation of a collaborative residency based in an engineering department at a UK university. There are two broad phases to the role, with a seven month period of exploratory research followed by a seven month period of design and development.

You will have a Postgraduate design qualification or equivalent and be an experienced maker with a range of design skills and research portfolio. You will have an interest in challenging the role of design research and also have the ability to work in a team and on your own using own initiative.
Excellent communication and organisational skills are also essential.

For further information:
www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/personnel
hr@gold.ac.uk
020 7919 7999
Please quote ref: 07/95RE

Closing date: Monday 26 March 2007 by 5.00pm Interview date: week commencing 9 April 2007

Committed to equal opportunities

Material Beliefs Workshop - 18th April 2007

A one day workshop in London to explore partnerships between engineers and designers for public engagement.

The overall theme of Material Beliefs is to encourage a public debate over the impact of technologies which give rise to novel interactions between our bodies and materials. In what ways will we become extended, dispersed, improved, displaced, or empowered by new arrangements of engineering around and within our bodies?

The workshop is a one day event on April 18th. A group of 30 will be drawn from engineering and design backgrounds, as well as from science communication and social sciences.

In the morning there will be a range of short presentations about recent collaborations between designers and engineers. Moving into the afternoon, there will be a set of activities aimed at creating a model for embedding designers within UK engineering departments, and to hopefully set up some collaborations.

If you be interested in attending the workshop – to see what is going on and to contribute to the activities - please contact Andy Robinson or Tobie Kerridge:

andy@materialbeliefs.com
tobie@materialbeliefs.com

In particular we’re looking for engineers who work in a field related to the project theme (bodies and technology), and are looking for the chance to do exciting collaborations with designers for public engagement.

Thank you for your interest, more details will be posted shortly.

Material Beliefs is an EPSRC public engagement project.

Initially you will be working closely with the co-investigator and researchers to create a programme of collaboration between research groups based at the Department of Design at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Engineering faculties at universities across the UK. Other team members include a film-maker, a photographer and a design consultancy.

Later you will work with the researchers to organise a series of events which show the outcomes of these collaborations to a range of audiences. Events will include large exhibitions, public and higher-ed workshops, a symposium and smaller presentations and debates.

There will also be an opportunity to get involved with other outputs, which will include academic papers, online content and printed project documentation.

You are likely to have broad experience in event organisation within science communication, and preferably be interested in helping to develop a clear and innovative evaluation methodology. Most project activity will take place in London, so it’s an advantage if you are based there.

Other requirements:
• Good communication skills, public speaking, writing and editing
• Familiarity with web based applications, blogging and content management
• Existing links to a network of science communicators
• Links to science and engineering university departments in the UK
• A background in academic research is an advantage

This will be a freelance contract for 50 days over the next 24 months, with a day rate of £160.

Please send a CV and two references with a covering letter to:

Tobie Kerridge
Department of Design
Goldsmiths College
Lewisham Way
London SE14 6NW

t.kerridge@gold.ac.uk

Closing Date: 9th February 2007