3 research outputs found
Recommended from our members
Comparative evaluation of the MAZI pilots (version 3)
This deliverable is the third of three, reporting on the comparative evaluation of MAZI pilots (Deliverable 3.10). Across the course of MAZI, the pilots have engaged with communities in different ways, for different purposes. Common to all pilots has been the focus on using and developing the MAZI toolkit in order to facilitate Do-It-Yourself (DIY) networking. This has involved collaborations characterised by inter-disciplinarity, where academic and community partners have worked together to find effective ways of engaging the communities in meaningful ways.
In the previous version of this deliverable (D3.9), we defined our analysis methodology, which builds on the logic set out in the first report (D3.8). In this report, we will discuss the results of using of Realist Evaluation (RE) to form case studies (characterised by context, mechanism, outcome configurations) and Activity Theory (AT) to characterise each pilot as a separate activity system. To identify the generative mechanisms, we investigated the tensions and conflicts between the technical and semiotic levels of the pilotsâ activity systems. Evidence generated was presented alongside the insights from the MAZI handbook to inform best practice for supporting the MAZI toolkit.
Comparing across the pilotsâ, we reveal tensions and conflicts between the technical and semiotic levels of the activity systems and the generative mechanisms used to meet the project and communitiesâ objectives. This emphasised the importance of understanding the context, e.g. by valuing the time spent with communities and the importance of learning their language and vocabularies, and respecting others capital. It revealed mechanisms for understanding location, the importance of stories and storytelling, designing collaborative activities and embracing opportunities for conversations. It also echoed the need to identify key roles, guises and actors for DIY networking and the importance of the principle of adding value rather than adding work
Recommended from our members
D3.8 Comparative evaluation of the MAZI pilots (version 1)
This deliverable is the first of three reporting on the MAZI pilotsâ comparative evaluation. We report on progress towards developing a comparative evaluation approach that will draw from the four MAZI pilots to inform the project, to understand progress and enable lessons learned to be applied across MAZI and beyond.In this report we introduce our approach to a comparative meta evaluation strategy in the context of MAZI, taking into account the rich diversity of the consortium partners, their wide range of disciplines, and the different contexts of the pilots. Given this diversity, we emphasise a participatory approach to evaluation, drawing from partnersâ academic disciplines and practitioner fields to inform the development of an evaluation framework. Each partner brings with them their own paradigms and methodologies for analysing progress, and a âone size fits allâ approach to evaluation applied to all pilots risks losing the richness each has to offer. Therefore, we have found it necessary to begin the process through negotiating a set of high level, lightweight instruments that can initially engage each pilot team in the activity, and elicit data while enabling the reporting of local diversity.We briefly describe the diversity of contexts, then introduce our participatory approach to engaging with partners. We introduce the first set of tools used to gather data and report on initial data gathered from the two pilots that are underway, Nachbarschafts-Akademie / Neighbourhood Academy (NAk, Berlin) and CreekNet (London).We conclude by outlining the coverage of the second version of this deliverable (D3.9, to be reported in M26) and the third version (D3.10, to be reported in M36)
Recommended from our members
Community partners acting as insider researchers to facilitate a Do-It-Yourself networking
In the paper we explain the role and facilitation of autoethnography to support the development and use of a Do-It-Yourself networking toolkit. The EU-funded MAZI project has been experimenting with the use of low-cost hardware wireless technology and open-source software for developing a toolkit that can be controlled and deployed by local actors. The goal has been to foster social cohesion, conviviality, knowledge sharing, and sustainable living by bring together those already living in physical proximity. To achieve this, community partners in four pilots across Europe (London, Berlin, Zurich, Kokkinopilos) have played an integral role as âinsider researchersâ. Researching social life in this way has been messy, uncertain and emotional and has required methods that are agile enough to accommodate the chaotic nature of social interactions (Adams et al., 2014; Gilbert, 2008). Our community partners have had to blur the boundaries between acting as members of their communities whilst also researching and reporting on local activities as members of the MAZI consortium to develop fit-for-purpose technology. Reflecting on our comparative evaluation we offer insights into how DIY networking affords opportunities for autoethnography; facilitating learning through the critique of cultural beliefs, practices, and experiences of engaging with the toolkit