(this image is simply a sketch of some things that have made themselves visible and is offered merely as a starting trace of intersecting parts for the research network’s healthy scaling and strategies)
State of Play
The Edgeryders Research Network is in the process of scaling its activities and assets 
. This has most recently focussed on proposing a work package model - of community outreach, stakeholder dialogue and social semantic network analysis - into eight Horizon2020 proposals across five work programmes in the latest round (as above). We anticipate receiving results by early July, with project start dates ranging from October 2018 to early 2019. Should we win even two of these proposals, it will be necessary to address significant operational scaling - such as training through the Academy, community partnerships, project management and technical development. Whether it happens in this round or a subsequent one, preparing for this is a priority.
At the same time, the activities of the research network respond to the interests and drive of its members. At present, numerous interests and prospects have been raised - from applying commons-based and self-organising philosophies in collective research spaces; to project ideas such as a summer school and the recent Econ Scifi event; and important alignment with other Edgeryders’ initiatives like SenseStack.
There’s plenty to consider and for now I’m going to cover a few aspects that are rising to the surface now. These have come through direct conversation from interested people (in particular @alberto) , as well as through a research network brunch in March with @alberto @nadia @amelia @ireinga and @hugi They are framed by me here however this is offered as an (evolving) starting point - this is an open and collective process and I invite you to jump to and tag yourself where you’re most interested, and share ideas and feedback in the forms that suit you.
- Philosophies of scaling
- Interests and needs in scaling
- Processes and operations to scale
- Human resources and shared assets
- Summer projects and next steps
Philosophies of scaling
Some members, are interested in how we co-create a healthy and open research community beyond silos of specific projects. My own research for example, explores processes and practices in collective thinking-making-living for resilient and autonomous livelihoods. Earlier in the year, @asimong and I had a conversation to begin exploring how the Edgeryders research network might scale - the conversation suspended itself in the wave of H2020 proposals and I’d like to open it up again here and now. It’s crux is how we conduct research as a commons. This compliments existing Edgeryders approaches around open knowledge and data, and of course mobilising across our collective intelligence through knowledge sharing and ethnography.
For me, the question has been evolving with the momentum of the Reef ecosystem and SenseStack’s vision. I’m thinking deeply about the composition and intersection of our social, economic and knowledge flows. I’m thinking about the value of these flows and their capacity to self-sustain (across individual to local community to ecosystem). I’m thinking about data and skill-sharing, inclusion and access. I’m thinking about wellbeing and belonging in a network. I’m thinking about curiosity and the paradigm shift. I’m thinking about alliance. And I’m curious as to what you’re thinking about in relation, and how our shared interests and needs can support our scaling.
Here are some questions @asimong and I began asking:
- How do we craft a form of research whose output is knowledge that’s actually available in a useful way to commons-oriented citizens?
- How do we tie this back to the needs of the emerging new society?
- How do we do this in the context of EU research “industry” and the “academic precariat?
- How might our collective research experiment with and apply self-organising and autonomous philosophies?
- How can digital and open technologies support the human living systems we really want and through different modes and mediums of expression?
- Ultimately, how do we support a growing living research community? ”…one that sustains itself not only intellectually but socially, culturally, emotionally… where people care, where people matter… where the research agenda is not set by international capital…”
Interests and needs in scaling
Various interests have been voiced around the research network, others are emergent and more are invited. Those noted include:
- How different projects can be built on and benefit from each other: interdependence and collaboration
- Practice-based and P2P research: citizen-led research, applied research, knowledge and skill-sharing and research towards societal transformation
- Development of ethnographic coding ontologies: evolving open ethnography and multilingual, multimedia ethnographic research across communities
- Scaling the network: collaborative social entrepreneurship, research, mobilsing grassroots impact and collective wellbeing
Processes and operations to scale
Acknowledging the emergent and self-organising approaches cherished and practiced across Edgeryders, a key focus area is how to scale the research network’s activities with simple, effective and welcoming processes. I, in particular, am interestedin being prepared for a collaborative agility in coordinating multiple and interconnected research projects, especially those with higher stakes such as any incoming H2020 projects. Some points of attention and interest raised:
- Project planning: open-source, accessible and agile planning/ reporting tools
- Access: navitable and inclusive pathways for onboarding Edgeryders into the research network’s activities. Aka “plug-in here” where there are clear entry points and a social contract for involvement - ping @ireinga - and knowledge-sharing events - ping @yannick @noemi.
- Documentation: Opportunities for creative collaborations around sharing learnings and developing scalable models through in-situ project participation - ping @natalia_skoczylas @gregoiremarty
- Communications: internal/external communications channels and ease of information access - ping @matthias @owen and @zmorda
Human resources and shared assets
In order to scale we need to consider management of our capacities and assets. This is clearly a huge territory and the following are a few initial thoughts that have arisen from the network.
- Onboarding and sustainability: what models and processes can ensure trustful and welcoming onboarding into the research network’s team and how can they be valued and cared for.
- Activities to sustain the network and available assets: how do we strategise and draw in smarts, collaborators, partners and funds in line with our shared principles
- Shared assets: how do we approach these shared assets - spanning project funds to collective ideas and the wellbeing of the ecosystem as a whole
Projects and next steps
NOW:
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Now is the time to step up and show your interest in the research network’s scaling. This is a collective and open effort and collaboration is key.
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I am meeting with the SenseStack team @nadia @hugi and @matteo_uguzzoni this week to discuss alignment and pathways
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@alberto @yannick @ireinga @mariekebelle and I are meeting to explore potentially develop and hosting an Econ sci-fi event - as per @alberto’s post here, this project is being explored as a first higher profile knowledge sharing event
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We are a subcontractor to a tender with EuroParl that is being submitted this week and I will continue to explore strategic opportunities with the European research environment as per the above posts.
SPRING/ SUMMER:
- Review acquisition strategy and prepare to scale production pending results of H2020 round
- Edgeryders team retreat where overarching longer term strategies and teams will be explored
- Architecting and establishing “plug-in here” process (Collaborator and partner funnel with 3 steps + explicit social contract)
- Documentation (Repository of projects, proposals and previous applications)
- Host 1-2 community calls
- Host 1 reading group (in preparation for Econ sci-fi if go ahead)
- Host 1 meet&greet (integrate into Econ sci-fi if go ahead)
SUMMER/ FALL
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Test and implement effective and open project planning tools in preparation for multiple H2020 projects within the next 12 months
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Econ Sci-fi if goes ahead
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Operational scaling and acquisition campaigning pending Spring/ Summer review