[Swansea Hackspace] University recognition - revised version - reply soon or never

[Gerrit Niezen]

Hi Edwin,

Thanks for working on this. A few comments:

- The most commonly used spelling is "hackerspace", not "hacker space". We could even use the more UK-centric version, "hackspace".
- "Collaborations such as hacker space" should probably be "Collaborations such as hackerspaces" ?
- You say "we quote Chris Vein" but then only quote him in the next paragraph
- We could be more specific about what exactly we want from the university. 
- It's "Swansea Hackspace", not "Swansea hacker space".  Provide a link to our official website http://swansea.hackspace.org.uk/

Cheers,
Gerrit


On 6 Sep 2013, at 09:50, Edwin Beggs <E.J.Beggs at swansea.ac.uk> wrote:

> 
> 
>   Note to this revised version. I have added a sentence about the different subjects encompassed by the hackerspace. About the history of the computer club, I do not know enough to write this. If people propose a couple of sentences, I will add them. Any other edits, please send urgently.
> 
>   Other than that, I propose to send this version. The hackerspace will have an opportunity to look at any response given by the university before deciding anything. If you do NOT want this sent for whatever reason, you have to tell me SOON. As they say in Rome, "Qui tacet consentit" (silence implies consent). 
> 
>    Edwin 
> 
> ********************************
> 
>    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
> 
> 
> **************************************
> 
> 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. It encompasses science, engineering, maths and the arts. 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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> Hackspace at swansea.hackspace.org.uk
> http://stoneship.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hackspace

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