[Swansea Hackspace] University recognition

[Edwin Beggs]

    Hi! I am considering trying to get the hackerspace officially  
recognised by the University (or at least the College of Science) as  
part of its third mission. I am not sure what this will mean  
practically, but it will hopefully make dealing with the university  
easier! The third mission is about the local economy, and that is what  
I have tried to address here. If this works, maybe we should try to do  
something with Swansea Council.

   I enclose a possible letter to the Chair of the College of Science  
Third Mission committee - not sent yet. Comments would be good -  
either edits or other things. Is this a good idea in the first place?  
I think so, but you may think of possible problems...

        Edwin


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Hacker spaces are a diverse collection of societies now present in  
many cities worldwide (for a world list, see http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/List_of_Hacker_Spaces 
  ) which are for (to quote from the Nottingham hacker space at http://nottinghack.org.uk/ 
  ):

"Who is it for? If you like to build, make & learn it’s for you.  
You’ll probably be interested in learning about and sharing knowledge  
of electronics, crafts, robotics, DIY, hardware hacking, photography,  
computing, reverse engineering, prototyping, film making, animation,  
building RC vehicles and other creative challenges and projects."

They are a collection of individuals, collaborating together by  
pooling resources and expertise. For many members, it is about their  
hobbies. However a look at the computing industry will show that a  
number of large firms (eg. Apple and Google) have grown from very  
small beginnings, and have been set up by a few people collaborating  
together. Collaborations such as hacker space offer the opportunity  
for people to problem solve for industry or to set up their own  
businesses after prototyping new products. With its traditional  
reliance on industry, this is doubly important for South Wales, and  
for this purpose it would fall under the remit of the University's  
third mission.

To illustrate the increasing emphasis on grassroots or bottom up  
collaborations for innovation even at the highest levels, we quote  
Chris Vein (US deputy Chief Technical Officer for government  
innovation) on hackathons, intensive collaborations. Hackathons could  
be held by any organisation, but hacker spaces are natural places  
where such activities would fit.

Chris Vein (US deputy CTO for government innovation) has continually  
supported the use of hackathons in developing government innovation.  
He noted that these events were exceptional as a ‘sensemaking’ tool  
for government, encouraging agencies to “…find groups of people, bring  
them together around an issue or problem that needs to be fixed, then  
step out of the way and let the collective energy of the people in the  
room come together and really take that data and solve things in  
creative and imaginative ways that we would never have done ourselves.”
http://open.nasa.gov/blog/2012/06/29/the-power-of-hackathons-in-government/

NASA itself has held the world's largest hackathon, in 83 cities in 44  
countries on all 7 continents - See more at:
http://open.nasa.gov/blog/2013/04/19/worlds-largest-hackathon
In the UK, an interesting article on crowdsourcing and innovation is:
http://www.theguardian.com/local-government-network/2013/apr/26/councils-hack-day-geek-squad-problem-solving

There is now a hacker space in Cardiff, with its own accommodation:   http://cardiff.hackspace.org.uk/wiki/Main_Page
For a list of UK hacker spaces, http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/United_Kingdom
Notable ones are London http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/London_Hackspace  
and Nottingham (listed above)

In Swansea a hacker space has been meeting about fortnightly, and  
hopes to obtain a permanent base and its own equipment. At this stage,  
without its own facilities, it is difficult to gauge how many people  
might eventually become involved.

We ask that the University consider ways of supporting Swansea hacker  
space. Such help might include advice, awareness raising, donation of  
redundant equipment, etc. Recognition by the University or College of  
Science would be helpful. The hacker space would itself, in the best  
traditions of grassroots organisations, remain independent and run by  
its members.

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