<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div><br></div><div><br></div><div> 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. </div><div><br></div><div> 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...</div><div><br></div><div> Edwin</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>**************************************</div><div><br></div><div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; ">Hacker spaces are a diverse collection of societies now present in many cities worldwide (for a world list, see <a href="http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/List_of_Hacker_Spaces">http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/List_of_Hacker_Spaces</a> ) which are for (to quote from the Nottingham hacker space at <a href="http://nottinghack.org.uk/">http://nottinghack.org.uk/</a> ):</span></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><br></span></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; ">"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."</span></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><br></span></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; ">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. </span></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><br></span></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; ">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. </span></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><br></span></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; ">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.” </span></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><a href="http://open.nasa.gov/blog/2012/06/29/the-power-of-hackathons-in-government/">http://open.nasa.gov/blog/2012/06/29/the-power-of-hackathons-in-government/</a></span></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><br></span></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; ">NASA itself has held the world's largest hackathon, in 83 cities in 44 countries on all 7 continents - See more at: </span></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><a href="http://open.nasa.gov/blog/2013/04/19/worlds-largest-hackathon">http://open.nasa.gov/blog/2013/04/19/worlds-largest-hackathon</a></span></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; ">In the UK, an interesting article on crowdsourcing and innovation is:</span></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/local-government-network/2013/apr/26/councils-hack-day-geek-squad-problem-solving">http://www.theguardian.com/local-government-network/2013/apr/26/councils-hack-day-geek-squad-problem-solving</a></span></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><br></span></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; ">There is now a hacker space in Cardiff, with its own accommodation: <a href="http://cardiff.hackspace.org.uk/wiki/Main_Page">http://cardiff.hackspace.org.uk/wiki/Main_Page</a></span></div><div style="font-size: large; ">For a list of UK hacker spaces, <a href="http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/United_Kingdom">http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/United_Kingdom</a></div><div style="font-size: large; ">Notable ones are London <a href="http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/London_Hackspace">http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/London_Hackspace</a> and Nottingham (listed above)</div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><br></span></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; ">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.</span></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><br></span></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; ">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. </span></div></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><br></span></div><div style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; ">********************</span></div></body></html>