BESPOKE: Insight Journalism as a catalyst for community innovation and engagement

Introduction

Methodological blueprint

'Digital Buskers' out and about in Preston

Digital production of the 'Buskers'

The 'Buskers' at UCF

The CCTV on the streets of Callon

1st iteration of the 'Family Hedge'

2nd iteration renamed the 'Talking memory box'

Memory box in use in Preston primary school

'Viwepoint' in use at local Preston shop

'Wayfinder' directing people in Preston

main funders

This innovative design and journalism research project sought to develop and test a new method for community-led innovation. This multi-partner collaboration between a community in Preston and journalism and design researchers explored how a new method of 'Insight Journalism' could be used for social innovation, engagement and as a resource to drive a design process which seeks to make bespoke responses to the issues and concerns identified through the journalistic process.

The BESPOKE project has been funded by the RCUK as part of the Digital Economy Programme and is a collaborative project between five UK research institutions with David Frohlich (University of Surrey) as Principal Investigator and Co-Investigators Justin Marshall (University College Falmouth), Paul Egglestone (University of Central Lancaster), Patrick Olivier (Culture Lab, Newcastle University) and Jon Rogers (University of Dundee).

The BESPOKE project ran from April 2009 until June 2011. An exhibition of the design responses created throughout the project was held at the V&A in September 2011 as part of the London Design Festival. See the News section of our research pages for further info.

Exhibitions, Outputs & Impacts

Exhibition and presentation at the V&A

As part of the London Design Festival BESPOKE demonstrated a range of devices that where developed throughout the project. This exhibition was held within the Sackler Centre at the V&A between September 17th and 23rd, with an associated presentation by many members of the research team in the Hochauser auditorium on the 20th.

BESPOKE publication available in print and as pdf

The 'newspaper' we created to accompany the BESPOKE exhibition is packed with articles about all aspects of the project, from many different perspectives and authors. It also contains a methodological 'blueprint', which seeks to break the project down into simple stages and describes the overarching activities undertaken in each. To accompany this we have also created a project 'timeline' with useful practical hints for others thinking of using 'insight journalism' as a method.

This publication is now available for free download on the BESPOKE project website:
If you would like a paper based version then contact Justin and he can post you a copy: justin.marshall@falmouth.ac.uk