Transmission: An interdisciplinary research project exploring making, curating and representing knowledge

Lead Research Organisation: Goldsmiths University of London
Department Name: Sociology

Abstract

Many creative and communication practitioners are using digital technologies for their research. This proposal will harness what is being done outside university-based research to showcase innovative uses of websites and blogs, films, events and objects in the sharing of ideas to a range of communities. It marks a shift away from considering digital technologies as subject matter or method to critical transmission tools and sites of knowledge. It sets out to establish the idea that how researchers make, curate and represent knowledge (beyond talk and text) can engage and involve new audiences, both inside and outside traditional research settings.

The proposal does this via two main activities; a new applied collaborative research project 'Freedom of Movement; the bike, the bloomer and the female cyclist in 19th Century Britain' and an international symposium (with accompanying user-led workshops and exhibition). The research project brings to life hands-on knowledge making process involving new archival research and analysis of existing contemporary cycling data with the making of women's cycle garments from 130 year old patents in collaboration with craft practitioners (tailor, artist and filmmaker). It combines new digital technologies (laptop, camera, video), social networking sites (twitter, blogs), classic tailoring techniques, tweed fabric (with a twist) and a period hand-cranked sewing machine. Documenting the process digitally, giving talks and exhibiting and performing the results in a range of public contexts (such as festivals and a popular central London bike café and workshop) will bring to life multi-dimensional engagements with ideas, practices and technologies, extending the organiser's skills and offering new entry points into social science research for diverse communities.

The international symposium showcases cutting edge projects, provides a platform to debate and discuss the benefits and consequences of practice, develop new skills (via user-led workshops) and generate new relationships for potential future collaborations. Day one will feature presentations, performances, talks and/or tours. Speakers will be encouraged to experiment with the idea of a symposium as a multi-dimensional knowledge platform, mediating conversations, facilitating new entry points into their ideas, exploring the context of transmission and stimulating new outcomes (which may not follow conventions of a speaker and seated audience). Day two will include a series of user-led skills workshops which will enable further discussion and hands-on experience, while encouraging more people to get involved and showcase their work. Objects, photos, websites, films and other materials will be exhibited after the event.

The proposal's focus on new ways of making, curating and representing knowledge is timely due to the current political shift toward open access, as outlined in the Government's 'Open Data White Paper' (Maude 2012) and Willetts's (2012) call for a 'seismic shift' in sharing knowledge. While these calls to action focus on open data access and liberating journal articles from paywalls, this research approaches the issue in a different way; via the potential (and pitfalls) of new forms of knowledge representation made possible through new digital technologies, platforms and materialities. It will enable knowledge exchange between a range of industry, policy, creative and academic communities, developing critical skills and networks for future collaborations, thereby demonstrating the impact of new forms of knowledge transmission and exchange.

Findings will be shared with practitioners, policy makers and researchers through a series of outputs: a dynamic website and blog, an international symposium, user-led workshops, a short policy report, two conference papers, a journal article, a series of short films and two exhibitions.

Planned Impact

The proposal will benefit:
(1) INDUSTRY TECHNOLOGY RESEARCHERS
The project will directly benefit technology industry researchers (-anthropologists, sociologists, designers) at Intel's Interaction and Experience group (US). Led by director Dr Genevieve Bell, this research team has an established interest in innovative methods and experiments in the translation of knowledge to interdisciplinary stakeholders and audiences. Researchers are multi-disciplinary which is essential for the constant and critical challenges of conducting research and then translating it to a range of stakeholders (ie. media, engineers, designers, retailers).

How will they benefit?
- Key members learn new ways of working that explore and exploit new technologies in their translation projects and circulate findings back to peers
- The event develops a non-US footprint of leading players in this field that Intel can draw from for events, talks, reference
- The event develops a series of case studies

Potential impacts arising from the project:
- Dr Bell incorporates findings of the project/s in one of her publicized keynotes thereby extending the project reach
- Highlights from the event published on Intel's public blog
- Dr Bell and PI continue to develop collaborative research
- Collaborative activities emerge between industry researchers and others
- Co-edited publications/ events

(2) KNOWLEDGE PRACTITIONERS
The project will also directly benefit a range of knowledge practitioners such as civil service and cultural institution workers, campaigners, writers, designers and artists with an interest in communicating complex ideas to a range of publics. The project will benefit this group by bringing to light cutting edge research utilizing digital technologies and new sites of knowledge. Specifically, for cycle campaigners, the new project builds on the ESRC funded 'Cycling Cultures' research, which involved UK campaigners, council officers, urban planners and activists. Although historically based, the project is relevant as it focuses on why what cyclists wear is still important in carving out a legitimate presence on the road and in understanding what restricted women cyclists 130 years ago, will provide insights into why British women's cycling uptake remains low today. The nature of the project (collaboration, garments, exhibitions) provides new ways to attract media /general public attention to enduring debates.

How will they benefit?
- Short policy report provide keys insights to practitioners
- 'Freedom of Movement' provides new ways of talking about key cycling issues
- Participants exposed to new ways of working and apply new methods
- Participants expand and develop their collaborative networks

Potential impacts arising from the project:
- Participants return to their studio/office/school and share findings with others
- New collaborations emerge between participants in the form of new projects, publications, joint funding bids

(3) SPECIALIST GROUPS AND GENERAL PUBLIC
Indirectly, the proposal will impact on specialist organizations and companies such as Dashing Tweeds, Look Mum No Hands and the general public.

How will they benefit?
- The new research project will provide relevant 'content for specialist cycling groups, attracting new and diverse audiences to their websites /newsletters
- The use of Dashing Tweeds fabric will expose the brand in new contexts might drive sales
- Exhibition and associate events (talk, organized bike ride) will attract new audiences to sites and demonstrate their support for the cycling community

Potential impacts arising from the project:
- A series of material and technological artefacts (garments, website, film, talk) will be available to present/exhibit
- The website/blog will receive comments and hits from viewers
- The project will attract attention from larger institutions such as Transport for London resulting in invites to talk/exhibit
 
Title Animation of Bikes & Bloomers in collaboration with Ceiren Bell 
Description Animation of Bikes & Bloomers in collaboration with Ceiren Bell - work in progress 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2019 
Impact Animation of Bikes & Bloomers in collaboration with Ceiren Bell 
 
Title Bikes and Bloomers Launch Event and Performance 
Description The 'Bikes and Bloomers' public exhibition and launch featured demonstrations of the Victorian 'convertible' cycling costumes, stories about the women who made, wore and patented them, an exhibition featuring an automaton(live sized wooden articulated cyclists whose legs moved on the bike when a larger handle was turned) and live screen printing of cycling visual culture on t-shirts for people to make and take home. The exhibition was installed for 2 weeks from 13th June 2014. 
Type Of Art Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) 
Year Produced 2014 
Impact I received many emails from participants who enjoyed the evening and prompted them to think differently about women's technological histories. I was invited to participate in a popular BBC program to air in 2015. There is a publicity embargo until this time. The series attracts 2.5 million viewers. 
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/what-a-night/
 
Title Bikes and Bloomers research video 
Description I worked with Goldsmiths Comms to document my research in this 4.33 video. 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2018 
Impact In 2 weeks from its launch, it was viewed nearly 16,000 times (April 2018). 
URL https://www.facebook.com/GoldsmithsUoL/videos/10155493165982849/?hc_ref=ARSafI975El_dt2yGQJQrhv3H-fg...
 
Title Costume #1 - Alice Bygrave Cycling Skirt 
Description Convertible Cycling Skirt #1. This garment was patented by Alice Louisa Bygrave in the UK on 6th December 1895. It is for 'Improvements in Ladies Cyclewear'. It consists of an 'ordinary' skirt that transforms into safe and comfortable cycle wear via the use of an in-built pulley system, weights, waxed cord and stitched channels. The bloomers, which are revealed when the skirt is transformed, are made of material digitally printed with artwork by Alice Angus that brings to life details of the patent, life of the inventor and influences of the time that would have shaped her invention. This garment is part of a lager ensemble made to complete the Victorian cycling costume. In addition to the skirt the research team made a blouse, bloomers, jacket, waistcoat, scarf and hat decorations. 
Type Of Art Artwork 
Year Produced 2014 
Impact This garment has been worn to present the project findings in various academic and more public contexts. The transformative technology built into the garment is demonstrated on the body. These garments delight audiences and stimulate conversation about the nature of invention and inventors. They draw attention to the important roles women have play in early cycling cultures as inventors, designers and engineers. They also raise questions about what we don;t know about or what has been systematically erased from our records. What other kinds of innovation do not know about because we have not see it? How do we learn to look for these kinds of socio-technical histories? This garment forms one of five in the collection. 
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/category/alice-bygrave-pulley-skirt/
 
Title Costume #2: Julia Gill cycling skirt 
Description Convertible Cycling Skirt #2. This garment was patented by Madam Julia Gill on 16th Feb 1895. It is for 'A Cycling Costume for Ladies'. It consists of an 'ordinary' skirt that transforms into safe and comfortable cycle wear via a cord threaded through a series of rings that are hidden underneath a double frill at the base of the skirt. The wearer raises and tightens the cord, gathering the base of the skirt at the waist, therefore raising it out of the way of the wheels. The double frill, operating as a peplum, hides the gathering device. The skirt is fully lined with an artwork by Alice Angus that brings to life details of the patent, life of the inventor and influences of the time that would have shaped her invention. This garment is part of a lager ensemble made to complete the Victorian cycling costume. In addition to the skirt the research team made a blouse, bloomers, jacket, scarf and hat decorations. 
Type Of Art Artwork 
Year Produced 2014 
Impact This garment has been worn to present the project findings in various academic and more public contexts. The transformative technology built into the garment is demonstrated on the body. These garments delight audiences and stimulate conversation about the nature of invention and inventors. They draw attention to the important roles women have play in early cycling cultures as inventors, designers and engineers. They also raise questions about what we don;t know about or what has been systematically erased from our records. What other kinds of innovation do not know about because we have not see it? How do we learn to look for these kinds of socio-technical histories? This garment forms one of five in the collection. 
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/category/madam-julia-gill/
 
Title Costume #3: Frances Henrietta Muller combination cycling costume 
Description Convertible Cycling Skirt #3. This garment was patented by Frances Henriette Muller on 30th May 1896. It is for 'Improvements in Ladies' Garments for Cycling and other Purposes'. It consists of three part ensemble: a long tailored jacket, a straight skirt with button details running down the front and a combined knickerbocker and vest garment that is worn underneath. The skirt transforms from street wear to cycle wear via the buttons on the skirt which are connected to a series of loops at the waist, thereby raising it up from the ground. The skirt, when transformed, is concealed under the tailored jacket. The skirt is fully lined with an artwork by Alice Angus that brings to life details of the patent, lives of the inventor and influences of the time that would have shaped her invention. This garment is part of a lager ensemble made to complete the Victorian cycling costume. In addition to the skirt, jacket and combined knickerbocker and vest garment, the research team made a scarf and hat decorations. 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2014 
Impact This garment has been worn to present the project findings in various academic and more public contexts. The transformative technology built into the garment is demonstrated on the body. These garments delight audiences and stimulate conversation about the nature of invention and inventors. They draw attention to the important roles women have play in early cycling cultures as inventors, designers and engineers. They also raise questions about what we don;t know about or what has been systematically erased from our records. What other kinds of innovation do not know about because we have not see it? How do we learn to look for these kinds of socio-technical histories? This garment forms one of five in the collection. 
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/category/3-frances-henrietta-muller-cycling-suit/
 
Title Costume #4: Mary and Sarah Pease Skirt/Cape 
Description Convertible Cycling Skirt #4. This garment was patented by Mary Elizabeth Pease and her sister Sarah Anne Pease on 11th April 1896. It is for 'Improved Skirt, Available Also as a Cape for Lady Cyclists'. It consists of an 'ordinary' skirt that transforms into safe and comfortable cycle wear. The skirt is removed at the waist and then tied at the neck to become a flowing cape. The skirt/cape is fully lined with an artwork by Alice Angus that brings to life details of the patent, lives of the inventors and influences of the time that would have shaped their invention. This garment is part of a lager ensemble made to complete the Victorian cycling costume. In addition to the skirt the research team made a blouse, bloomers, waistcoat, scarf and hat decorations. 
Type Of Art Artwork 
Year Produced 2014 
Impact This garment has been worn to present the project findings in various academic and more public contexts. The transformative technology built into the garment is demonstrated on the body. These garments delight audiences and stimulate conversation about the nature of invention and inventors. They draw attention to the important roles women have play in early cycling cultures as inventors, designers and engineers. They also raise questions about what we don;t know about or what has been systematically erased from our records. What other kinds of innovation do not know about because we have not see it? How do we learn to look for these kinds of socio-technical histories? This garment forms one of five in the collection. 
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/category/mary-and-sarah-pease/
 
Title Costume #5: Mary Anne Ward 'Hyde Park Safety Skirt' 
Description Convertible Cycling Skirt #5. This garment - The Hyde Park Safety Skirt - was patented by Mary Ann Ward in the UK on 27th March 1897. It is for 'Improvements in Ladies' Skirts for Cycling'. It consists of an 'ordinary' skirt that transforms into safe and comfortable cycle wear. A series of hidden straps hidden under the waist band of the skirt until needed. The straps feature a series of button holes that correspond with the button detailing on the side of this fashionable yet conventional skirt. The straps turn into gathering devices when they catch every second button, thus shortening the skirt to a desired length. The straps are made of silk printed with artwork by Alice Angus that brings to life details of the patent, life of the inventors and influences of the time that would have shaped her invention. This garment is part of a lager ensemble made to complete the Victorian cycling costume. In addition to the skirt the research team made a blouse, bloomers, waistcoat, scarf and hat decorations. 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2014 
Impact This garment has been worn to present the project findings in various academic and more public contexts. The transformative technology built into the garment is demonstrated on the body. These garments delight audiences and stimulate conversation about the nature of invention and inventors. They draw attention to the important roles women have play in early cycling cultures as inventors, designers and engineers. They also raise questions about what we don't know about or what has been systematically erased from our records. What other kinds of innovation do not know about because we have not see it? How do we learn to look for these kinds of socio-technical histories? This garment forms one of five in the collection. 
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/category/mary-ann-ward/
 
Title Digitally printed silk linings: Art/ sociology collaboration 
Description The research team collaborated with an artist, Alice Angus who produced a series of unique visual artworks for each of the 5 costumes. These artworks brought to life the stories of the inventors and patent holders, their key influences and central themes revealed in their designs. Alice worked in the studio with the research team, directly responding to the team's findings and methodological process. She was involved in discussions about the process of conducting an ethnography of making the Victorian Cycling Costumes, the decisions, unexpected happenings, mistakes and challenges along the way. These conversation this sparked rich and complex conversations about method and findings and informed the content and feel of each drawing as it developed. The novelty of the project lies in interweaving archival research with the making of a range of garments, drawn from historic patents in collaboration with contemporary craft practitioners (artist, weaver and tailor). Although collaborations of this nature are not new, the novelty of this project lies in an explicit engagement in the process of making, curating and representing knowledge. It will bring to life findings from the symposium and workshops and provide a platform for discussion and debate about different working practices. Documenting the process, giving talks and exhibiting the results will bring to life multi-dimensional engagements with ideas, practices and technologies, extending PI's skills and offering new entry points into social science research for a non-academic communities. The illustrations were digitally printed onto silk and sewn into each garment as lining. The linings are only revealed when the garment is converted from ordinary street wear into cycle wear. The finished linings are the a record of, and result of those intense drawing activities as well as an interpretation of the research. They operate as another layer of findings in the project and operate as a story telling device when the garments are work and performed. 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2014 
Impact The linings operate as an important part of the project in that the research team can draw on them to tell stories about the process of doing the project and the findings that emerged in the making of each of the Victorian garments. Audience members at talks often specifically ask about the linings of the garments, their illustrative nature triggering conversation and questions. The fact they are sewn in as lining adds another layer to the performance which has delighted audiences and has much to do with the ongoing request that the research team has received to give talks in costume or take the project on tour to different places and for different types of audiences. We have also received many requests to purchase the illustrations in consumable forms such as scarves. 
URL http://proboscis.org.uk/?s=kat
 
Title Open Access Downloadable PDF Sewing Pattern Packs 
Description 6 x Open Access Downloadable PDF Sewing Pattern Packs (total of 9 garments) 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2018 
Impact These packs were launched in April 2018. They have been downloaded 5000 times (so far). 
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/patterns/
 
Title Patterns: Open Source Downloadable Pattern Pack PDFs 
Description Five gifs of the convertible cycling garments: #1 Alice Bygrave's Pulley Cycling Skirt, #2 Julia's Gill's cycling semi-skirt, #3 Henrietta Muller's three piece cycling suit, #4 Pease sisters' combined cycling skirt and cape and #5 Mary Ward's side-button skirt or what was known as the 'Hyde Park Safety Skirt' 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2018 
Impact The gifs were shared on twitter and the research website 
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/gifs-of-the-converting-costumes/
 
Title Poster: Bloomer Making Workshop 2 
Description 1 x A3 colour poster promoting a public event. It was distributed via social media - twitter, facebook, instagram, blogs - on cycling, research and sewing/craft communities and also installed in key popular cycling cafes and university noticeboards 
Type Of Art Artwork 
Year Produced 2014 
Impact The poster helped to make the event a success. It formed part of the overall rich visual branding of the project. The workshop was full within 12 hours and the waiting list was also full within a day. 
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/bicycle-bloomer-making-workshop-ii/
 
Title Poster: Public talk by Genevieve Bell 
Description A3 colour single sided poster that advertised a public talk by Dr Genevieve Bell of Intel, Director of Interaction, Experience and Research. Feb 3, 2014. It was printed and also digitally distributed via social media - twitter, Facebook, instagram, the research blog. 
Type Of Art Artwork 
Year Produced 2014 
Impact The poster helped to make the event a success. It formed part of the overall rich visual branding of the research project. The event was well attended and discussion after Genevieve's talk was diverse and stimulating. 
URL http://transmissionsandentanglements.com/?p=266
 
Title Poster: Public talk by Jackie Orr 
Description A3 colour single sided poster that advertised a public talk by Jackie Orr, Professor of Sociology, Maxwell School, Syracuse University, Jun 11, 2014. It was printed and also digitally distributed via social media - twitter, Facebook, instagram, the research blog. 
Type Of Art Artwork 
Year Produced 2014 
Impact The poster helped to make the event a success. It formed part of the overall rich visual branding of the research project. The event was well attended and discussion after Jackie Orr's performance was diverse and stimulating 
URL http://transmissionsandentanglements.com/?p=571
 
Title Poster: Transmissions and Entanglements #3 program 
Description 1 x doublesided colour poster that doubled as the conference program 
Type Of Art Artwork 
Year Produced 2014 
Impact The poster helped to generate interest in the public events in the 4 day event. 
URL http://transmissionsandentanglements.com/?p=483
 
Title Video: Bloomer Making Workshop and curated bloomer ride 
Description The time-lapse video documents one of the Bloomer Making Workshops and curated bloomer rides around London featuring participants who had made and customised a garment from the Victorian patents produced during the research project. 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2014 
Impact The video was shared via twitter, Facebook and from the research websites by the research team as well as participants to a range of cycling and sewing communities which triggered a jump in interest/hits on the research website. I have used the video in lectures and talks about inventive methods and different modes of knowledge transmission and it generates discussion about the role of object-oriented hands-on practice in research. 
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/video-bloomer-making-and-riding/
 
Title Video: Research practice time-lapse fieldnotes (2nd May 2014) 
Description A Go-Pro wide angled camera was attached to the ceiling of my office and set to take photos every 10seconds for a period of 6 weeks leading to the end of the project. The data was turned into a series of time-lapse videos documenting the collaborative research practice of the interdisciplinary project team. The videos operate as fieldnotes and inventive method for analysing the experience of making as a form of research. 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2014 
Impact These videos are valuable tools for my own analysis as they capture a different top-down perspective of a very busy period of the project. They also operate as provocative tool in presentations for discussions around interdisciplinary practice and inventive methods. They have been shared via twitter, Facebook and from the research websites to a range of cycling and sewing communities. This version was used by Janis Jefferies, Professor of Visual Arts, Goldsmiths for her keynote at Back to the Future for the 2014 Textiles Society of America conference, Los Angeles, Sept 9, 2014 I have used these videos in lectures and invited talks about inventive methods, digital tools and skills and the role of different modes of knowledge transmission. 
URL http://vimeo.com/katjung/making-2nd-may
 
Title Website: Bikes and Bloomers 
Description The website features details of the project, its research context, research team and blog. It also holds instagram, twitter and flickr. 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2013 
Impact The website was designed as a public presence and portal to the project. 
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com
 
Description The aim of the project to explore representations of knowledge from new perspectives - namely the possibilities of new technologies and the making, curating and representing practices of other disciplines - was achieved. It did this in three key ways:

1. Generated an international network. A series of interdsiciplinary networking conferences and events were designed to explore, critique and foster knowledge exchange between a range of industry, creative and academic communities engaged in diverse creative practice. We explored questions - What is invention? What is practice? Are we engaging as practitioners in knowledge making or in world making? How do we keep bodies and materiality IN the exchange and circulation of knowledge? Discovered that these questions and challenges are central across disciplines and discussion provided insights into individual practice. One participant said the event made her 'feel at home instead of always having to defend a practice'. An edited collection with 12 chapters by network members in and outside academia has been written - "Transmissions: Critical tactics fro making and communicating research" by MIT Press, 2020.

2. Put findings into practice. New research project 'Freedom of Movement' (known as Bikes & Bloomers) brought to life insights emerging in the network. Involved collaborations with a weaver, pattern cutter and illustrator and resulted in the production of 5 Victorian cycling garments made from UK patents (total of 29 articles of clothing). All garments hand-made by the research team. We reflexively explored sociology-in-the-making; an explicit research engagement in the process of making, curating and circulating ideas across different disciplines and found new ways (as well as parallel ways) of articulating our work. Foe example, conversations with the tailor explored ideas around translations of ideas in multi-dimensions from 1D drawings - 3D toiles - 2D patterns and back again. The artist worked with the research team to visualise the research process and emerging findings. Resulting artworks were digitally printed onto silk and sewn into finished garments. The research team perform in the garments to present the research which has been greeted with enthusiasm by audiences in Europe, Australia and US. The garments operate as dynamic multi-dimensional sociological arguments and platforms for discussion and debate about different working practices. This project has been made into a book "Bikes and Bloomers: Victorian women inventors and their extraordinary cycle wear" and a series of open access sewing pattern packs available at the project website. They have been downloaded 9,222 times since April 2018.

3. Participated in diverse range of public engagement activities. The project gained more exposure than anticipated in non-academic contexts. The research team has given keynotes, public talks, performed in costume, run workshops, participated in festivals, curated expert panels, facilitated sewing workshops, hosted an exhibition, published a website/blog and videos and curated cycle rides in art, design, science, cycling policy, transport, sewing, craftivism and activist oriented events. The sewing workshops are a particular noteworthy experimental and sensory research method that didn't just study patents but put them to work. People responded very positively to being invited 'into' the research, gaining day-long intensive exposure to the project and the embodied experience of making and wearing garments. The project successfully illustrated how far from operating as a point of closure, experimental methods of knowledge exchange mediate new conversations and offer new entry points into social science research for non-academic communities. The project continues to attract attention. For eg. Since Jan 2019, the PI has been invited to showcase the research at the London Bike Show, in 2 x new BBCTV shows, in a popular UK cycling podcast, on live NZ radio, in an Open University seminar series, at the York Festival of Ideas, at the West of England Costume Society conference and an animation of the research findings is currently being made.

This project was also foundational to further funding. The PI was awarded a 5 year ERC Consolidator Grant Award valued at €1,802,154 (2019-2024)
Exploitation Route - Sewing and Cycling intersections: Throughout the project, people have requested copies of the patterns produced in the research project. 6 x Downloadable Open Source PDF Pattern Packs enable individuals to make their own versions of the convertible cycling garments. The sewing workshops run during the funded period of the project 2013/14 were very successful and I have had many requests to run more events. I also get regular requests to purchase finished garments and illustrated silks produced in collaboration with the artist, Alice Angus. We are exploring the commercial aspect of the project

- New experimental research methods. I have given many talks about sewing and wearing of research as sociological methods and the use of time-lapse video in ethnographic study. I use these insights and findings in my own teaching on MA Visual Sociology and in my role as co-Director of the Methods Lab at Goldsmiths. These methods underpin the PIs new ERC grant funded project.

- Ongoing network activities: Members of the interdisciplinary Transmissions network are collaborating on new projects - book proposals, performances, conference panels, journal articles, grant applications. I ran another Transmissions Conference in 2015 that brought the network together to further foster these connections. An edited collection has been written and published by MIT Press (2020). It has been written as a theoretically informed practice guide for students. Authors are presenting a roundtable about the book at the European Association for the Study of Science and Technology (EASST) in Prague in Aug 2020.
Sectors Creative Economy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Transport
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com
 
Description Our research findings continue to attract the interest of art, design, feminist, history, sewing, cycling, transport policy and general public audiences. The impact of the research is evidenced through many invitations to speak, demonstrate research findings and run workshops. Examples include: Science Museum 'Late' which was themed 'Wearable Technology', V&A Design Culture Salon "How is the urban cyclist designed?", Feminism in London annual conference workshop called 'Cycling, Sewing and Suffragette storytelling', London Bike Kitchen Women & Gender variant night 'Show, Tell & Try-on' event, London Cycle Campaign's 15th Policy Forum Seminar series on 'Latest Cycling Research', Somerset House's film screening and panel discussion on the representation of women in STEM industries and the Warsaw Design Practitioner Collective's Conference on mobility and design. The findings have been used to run public sewing workshops and try-on events where people engage with the project by literally getting into it. These workshops have proved popular with some events filling up within 12 hours. We have also presented the research in a public exhibition at a central London bike shop/café and organised a public bike ride (in costume) around key London textiles, patent, feminist and cycling landmarks. The project contributed to and benefited from an increase in media interest in the history of cycling and feminism. The PI was invited on the BBCs Great British Sewing Bee (approx. 2.5m viewers) to talk about the role of the bicycle, emancipation and women's active dress. I have also been filmed talking and demonstrating the project on 2 x BBCTV shows - BBC4 Victorian Sensations and BBC1 Countryfile - broadcast in 2019. The launch of the book in April 2018 - Bikes and Bloomers: Victorian women inventors and their extraordinary cycle wear (Goldsmiths press and MIT press) - has generated substantial media interest, appearing in the Guardian, Times, Telegraph, Daily Mail, Scottish Herald and suburban newspapers, on Irish Newstalk Radio, BBC World Service, BBCs Robert Elm's London show and Sky News, NZ live radio, UK WheelSuckers podcast, as well as cycling, music and imagination festivals. I have been invited to give talks at the London Transport Museum and Google and the project has appeared in the Atlantic and BBC History Magazine. In response to requests, I launched 6 x open access PDF sewing pattern packs (total of 9 garments) inspired by research and patents lodged by Victorian women cyclists. The patterns showcase the research findings and provide instructions for people to replicate and adapt these inventive designs. The packs have Creative Commons licenses and are available for free download on the project website. They have been downloaded 9,222 times (since April 2018). People are sharing their interpretations and creative outcomes via social media.
Sector Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Transport
Impact Types Cultural,Societal
 
Description Panelist at London Cycle Campaign's 15th Policy Forum Seminar
Geographic Reach Local/Municipal/Regional 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
 
Description European Union Horizon 2020 ERC Consolidator Grant
Amount € 1,802,154 (EUR)
Funding ID 819458 
Organisation European Research Council (ERC) 
Sector Public
Country Belgium
Start 03/2019 
End 02/2024
 
Description Wearing the Archive: Mobility clothing, the sewing machine and the researcher's body, Urban Methods on the Move - BSA Cities and Mobilities Study Group Workshop (Sept 15) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact I was invited to present a paper for Urban Methods on the Move - BSA Cities and Mobilities Study Group Workshop, at Goldsmiths. My paper was called 'Wearing the Archive: Mobility clothing, the sewing machine and the researcher's body'. On the basis of this event I was invited to run a workshop at the Feminist Methods Masterclass in 2017.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL https://bsacitiesandmobilities.wordpress.com/2016/08/18/urban-methods-on-the-move-programme/
 
Description Article about Bikes & Bloomers in Brixton Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Article about Bikes & Bloomers in Brixton Blog
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.brixtonblog.com/2018/05/brixton-dressmaker-who-designed-for-freedom/
 
Description Article about Bikes & Bloomers in East Lothian Courier 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Article about Bikes & Bloomers in East Lothian Courier - "Women cyclists 'overcame barriers' with convertible skirts"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/national/16161063.women-cyclists-overcame-barriers-with-conv...
 
Description Article about Bikes & Bloomers in Oxford Mail 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Article about Bikes & Bloomers in Oxford Mail - "Women cyclists 'overcame barriers' with convertible skirts"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/national/16161063.women-cyclists-overcame-barriers-with-convertibl...
 
Description Article about Bikes & Bloomers in South Wales Guardian 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Article about Bikes & Bloomers in South Wales Guardian - "Women cyclists 'overcame barriers' with convertible skirts"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.southwalesguardian.co.uk/uk_national_news/16161063.Women_cyclists____overcame_barriers__...
 
Description Article about Bikes & Bloomers in The Times 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Article in The Times - Victorian women wore 'convertible skirts' so they could ride bikes without abuse, academic finds
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/16/victorian-women-wore-convertible-skirts-could-ride-bikes...
 
Description Conference paper at 4S Sydney 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Accepted conference paper: More than Human Encounters with Clothing: Experiments with Sociological Sewing, 4S Annual
Conference, University of Sydney, 29-31 Aug
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Exhibition at Institute of Engineering and Technology, Savoy Place, London 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Bikes & Bloomers Exhibition: Institute of Engineering and Technology, Savoy Place, London, Autumn 2018 - Summer 2019
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018,2019
 
Description Guardian Bike Blog article 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I was invited by the editor of the Guardian's Bike Blog, Alan Evans, to write an article about my Bikes and Bloomers research and book. The 1200 word piece was published on 16th April and has 1378 views (so far).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2018/apr/16/the-ingenious-cyclewear-victorian-wome...
 
Description Guardian Bike Blog article 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Jungnickel, K. (2018) The ingenious cyclewear Victorian women invented to navigate social mores, The Guardian Bike Blog, June 16.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2018/apr/16/the-ingenious-cyclewear-victorian-wome...
 
Description Installation and pocket making workshop at Field Day Music Festival 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact B&B installation and pocket making workshop: Field Day Music Festival, Brockwell Park, London, 2 June.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Installation and talk at Cambridge Cycling Campaign Cycling Festival 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Bikes & Bloomers installation and talk: Cambridge Cycling Campaign Cycling Festival, 27-30 Sept
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Interview about Bikes & Bloomers on LA Public Radio Station KCRW's Design & Architecture show (8/05/18) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interview about Bikes & Bloomers on LA Public Radio Station KCRW's Design & Architecture show (8/05/18)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.kcrw.com/latest/baja-funk-women-cyclists
 
Description Interview about Bikes & Bloomers on Sky News Sunrise (18/04/2018) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interview on Sky News Sunrise (18/04/2018)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Interview on BBC World Service 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I was invited onto BBC World Service (radio) to be interviewed by presenter Dan Damon about my Bikes & Bloomers research and new book on 17th April
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Interview on Sky News 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I was invited onto Sky News on to be interviewed by the News presenter Jonathan Samuels on 18th April to talk about my Bikes & Bloomers research, new book and costumes.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://twitter.com/jonathansamuels/status/986539525454336000
 
Description Interviewed about Bikes & Bloomers for BBC1 "Countryfile" special 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact A few weeks ago I was invited by BBC1 Countryfile to Blists Hill Victorian Town, a period village in Telford, near Birmingham. I was interviewed talking about, cycling in and demonstrating some of the inventive early women cyclists' responses to the challenges to their freedom of movement.

The programme was broadcast on Sunday 19th May.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00059m3
 
Description Interviewed about Bikes & Bloomers for new BBC4 documentary "Victorian Sensations" (16/01/19) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I was interviewed talking and demonstrating B&B costumes with Dr Hannah Fry for a new BBC4 TV documentary on Victorian technology, society and bodies called Victorian Sensations. The four part series starts Wednesday 15th May. My contribution is in the 2nd programme, on 22nd May.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0005h7g
 
Description Invitation to write for BBC History Magazine, June 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Invitation to write for BBC History Magazine, June
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Invited expert on popular BBC program - The Great British Sewing Bee 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The Bikes & Bloomers project team were invited to be filmed for the popular BBC series 'The Great British Sewing Bee' (approx. 2.5 million viewers) on the theme of corsets. The research findings were used by the producers to bring to life the social and cultural history of corsets - the sewing task for participants of that week's program. The PI was interviewed about the history of Rational Dress, importance of cycling for women and changes to the nature of gendered mobility in public space. The program featured footage of the RA dressed in one of the project's cycling costumes. Although this was only a small piece in a larger show, it is clear evidence of the relevance of the theme of the research for a contemporary sewing/popular history audience. The size of the audience was also massively beyond regular exposure for a small research project.

Feminism and the history of cycling is an increasingly popular topic for media. It is probable that thie BBC show was one of the catalysts for the use of the Bikes & Bloomers research in a Guardian article about how the bicycle has been a creative tool for women's liberation throughout the last century. The article has only been published for a few days but it has already been shared 723 times. The journalist referenced the website, the PI and a core finding in the research - the invention of convertible cycle wear by women cyclists. Over the week this has resulted in 1113 page views on www.bikesandbloomers.com

Abrahams, J. (2015) Freewheeling to equality: how cycling helped women on the road to rights, Guardian, http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/womens-blog/2015/jun/18/freewheeling-equality-cycling-women-rights-yemen-bicycle-liberation
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014,2015
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/great-british-sewing-bee/
 
Description Invited panel chair and curator: Design Culture Salon, Victoria and Albert Museum 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The PI curated, chaired and spoke at the event. The panel featured prominent members of the UK cycling community: Dr Rachel Aldred, Senior Lecturer in Transport, University of Westminster, Jenni Gwiazdowski, Founder and Director of the London Bike Kitchen, Carlton Reid, Executive Editor of BikeBiz and author of 'Roads Were Not Built For Cars' and Dr Justin Spinney, Lecturer in Human Geography, Cardiff University. Tickets sold out well before the evening and feedback from the organisers was very positive about the relevance of the theme for the V&A and liveliness of the event.


Increase in twitter activity and blog hits before and after the event.
The V and A published some reflections on the event and this again promoted more attention on the project.
Requests for talks and similar events - people who were unable to attend (due to sold out event) asked to be alerted to future activities
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://designculturesalon.org/2014/10/16/reflections-on-design-culture-salon-10-how-is-the-urban-mob...
 
Description Invited panelist at RADA 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Invited Panelist: RADA's Fierce Feminist Forum, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London, 4 July
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Invited panelist for RMIT Europe event 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Invited panelist: Creative Methods for Social Mapping, RMIT Europe, Barcelona, Spain, 9-10 July
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Invited panelist: Women in Tech: an Intel Centre for Social Computing & FemTech Collaboration, The New School, NYU, 22 April. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.)
Results and Impact I was privileged to be invited to speak on one of two panels of expert women for 'Women in Tech: An Intel Centre for social computing and FemTechNet Collaboration' at NYU on April 22. The first panel 'Women in Tech industry' featured Genevieve Bell (Intel), Anne Balsamo (New School), Elizabeth Churchill (Yahoo), Nina Wakeford (Goldsmiths). I was on the panel 'Women in Maker/Hacker Culture' with Christina Dunbar-Hester (Rutgers), Seda Gurses (ISTC) and Lily Nguyen (ISTC). The event generated a

After the panel I was invited by Parsons, the New School for Design at NYU to take the entire project and all the accompanying activities on tour - ie. talks, exhibition, sewing workshops and curated cycle rides - to New York.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/the-bygrave-cycle-costume-in-ny/
 
Description Invited paper for 'Art and Design by other means: research, methods and practices' at Museu del Disseny de Barcelona (Aug 31) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact I was invited to present a paper on the topic of 'Art and Design by other means: research, methods and practices' at Museu del Disseny de Barcelona, Pl. de les Glòries Catalanes 37-38, Barcelona. The session featured international artists, scholars and practitioners.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://www.sts2016bcn.org/vermouth-session-art-and-design-by-other-means-research-methods-and-practi...
 
Description Invited paper: Socio-Technical Mobile Devices of Resistance: Victorian inventors, women cyclists and convertible cycle wear patents, Technological Conditions of Interventions: History, Epistemology, Dramaturgy, Digital Cultures Research Lab, Leuphana University, Lüneburg, May 19-21. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact This event was so well received that DCRL invited all speakers to write chapters for a book: In Caygill, H., Leeker, M and Schulze, T. (eds) Inventions in Digital Cultures: Action, Resistance, Critique, Digital Cultures Research Lab, Leüphana University, Germany. This is due out early 2017.

I was also invited to return to the Digital Culture Research Lab again in July 2015 to give a talk for their Research Lab Semester Closing Event - Un/Stable Infrastructures, Digital Cultures
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://www.leuphana.de/en/research-centers/cdc/news.html
 
Description Invited talk and installation at London Transport Museum's Open Museum weekend, Acton Depot 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I was invited to give a talk and host a day long installation at London Transport Museum's Open Museum weekend, Acton Depot. The Depot is open to the public three times a year. On 22/23 April the theme was 'design' and I was invited to give an hour long talk and host an outdoor installation/stand where people could learn about the Bikes & Bloomers research and try on costumes.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/museum-depot/open-weekends
 
Description Invited talk and workshop: Feminism in London 2014 conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact My talk and workshop were fill to capacity - 25 people.
The talk sparked questions and discussion afterwards about the role of women in Victorian society, cycle wear and citizenship. I was asked for copies of the talk and powerpoint slides. We then started a making/sewing session with a range of materials I supplied. I offered participates three different ways of getting into my research: Try on some of my hand0made 1890s garments, read through some of the printed copies of cycle wear patents and make small scale versions of or make a Victorian tie-on pocket. People enthusiastically got involved in all theree activities and I barely had to time to take any photos as people were constantly telling me terrific stories about past cycling family members, asking questions about garments or showing me their sewing results.


One of the participants who tried on one of the convertible cycling garments produced a time-lapse video - http://bikesandbloomers.com/brilliant-stop-motion-animation-of-the-pease-sisters-cycling-cape/

I was asked if I would run more of the full day bloomer making workshops. I invited people to put their names on a list if they wanted more information about any upcoming talks or events and 15 people put their names on the list.

I received emails from participants afterwards telling me how much it appealed to people of all ages - "My niece and nephew really enjoyed it. My nephew really found it an interesting topic - so glad he soaked it all up. My niece enjoyed the sewing"

My blog post documenting the event was retweeted by a range of people with large followings - Genevieve Bell, Intel Fellow (10.8K followers), Ben Hammersley, Technology writer (14.3K followers), Dallas Campbell (11.6K followers) and Feminism in London (1685 followers)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/fil-2014-suffrage-cycling-and-sewing-a-story-telling-making-workshop/
 
Description Invited talk to Google 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Invited Talk: Bikes & Bloomers: Victorian women inventors and their extraordinary cycle wear, Google, Central London Office, 12 Apr.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Invited talk to London Bike Kitchen, bike co-op 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The PI was invited show and tell research findings at the London Bike Kitchen's Women and Gender Variant (WAG) Night. The LBK is a not-for-profit community run organisation deeply involved with grassroots cycling culture, encouraging cycling by helping people fix and maintain their bikes. The PI gave a talk, demonstrated a convertible cycling costume and invited the 12 attendees to try on Victorian cycle wear. The results were well documented on twitter under the hashtags #lbk and #bikesandbloomers


After the talk, the members of the not-for-profit co-op expressed interest in further sewing workshops and making the patterns available
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/another-show-tell-and-dress-up-session-london-bike-kitchen/
 
Description Invited talk: Politics of Pockets and other stories about gender, mobility and invention, WAGFEST 2 - London Bike Kitchen Women and Gender Variant Festival, DIY Space for London, Nov 28. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact LBK WAGFEST is the London Bike Kitchen Women and Gender Variant Festival. This event generated positive feedback (in person, on social media) and Dr Sheila Hanlon and I have been invited to present again T SPIN London in May 2016
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL https://www.facebook.com/events/513103158852974/
 
Description Invited talk: Closing Plenary: Transmissions and Entanglements: making, curating and representing research - London ESRC Doctoral Training Centre Annual Conference, London School of Economics, Mar 23-24. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact This event was held at LSE for ESRC funded research students to explore and discuss ways of creating and communicating their research. My talk generated lots of questions and discussion afterwards. The organisers wrote: "Our keynote speakers, Bill Gaver and Kat Jungnickel have been instrumental in supporting the theme of "creating and communicating" for this conference by bringing in diverse perspectives and original approaches to the research process and we are grateful to them for agreeing to come and speak."
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL https://esrclondonblog.wordpress.com/2015/03/23/london-esrc-dtc-annual-conference-2015-programme/
 
Description Invited talk: Data Practices: The Design and Social Science Seminar Series 2013-14, Goldsmiths, UK, Feb 5. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact ongoing I was invited to present a talk - Dresses and Data: Methods for making archival materials matter - as part of the Goldsmiths Design and Social Science Seminar. 45 staff and students from sociology, computing, design, fashion and drama attended the Design and Social Science Seminar.



My talk provoked questions about the burgeoning analytic interest and methodological preoccupation with data and the shifting terrain of data practices across design and social science.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://goldsmithsdesignblog.com/2014/01/07/design-and-social-science-seminars/
 
Description Invited talk: Fashion Studies/ Design Culture Conference Series, University of Southern Denmark 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact I was invited by the Department of Design and Communications, University of Southern Denmark in Kolding to present with a panel of speakers from Brighton, Stockholm and Denmark to 150 students and staff from Design, Arts, Communications and Fashion. The premise of the panel was an attempt to bring together Fashion Studies and Design Culture which are often approached as separate fields of practice as well as of academic inquiry. We presented our current research and explored the convergences as well as the divergences between fashion studies and design culture. The panel generated much discussion during and after the event.



I was contacted by several attendees for further information about my research and references.

I was invited by Professor Guy Julier, a Visiting Professor of Design Culture at the University of Southern Denmark in Kolding, to chair and curate a 'Design Culture Salon' at the Victoria and Albert Museum on the theme of Cycling and Design on 10th October 2014. These events are very popular with a diverse public audience and always over subscribed.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
URL http://designculturekolding.org/2013/11/
 
Description Invited talk: Invisible Design: Interdisciplinary Design Conference, Institute of Design, Warsaw 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact I have been invited to give a keynote on an expert panel at INvisible Design; Interdisciplinary Design Conference in Warsaw that brings together design practitioners from all over Europe. I will be wearing one of special hand-made cycling costumes, and demonstrating it's inventive deliberately concealed technological nature while talking about the intersections of mobility, bodies, gender and public space.

I have yet to do this event. I anticipate that this will expose to a range of new audiences in Europe.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description Invited talk: Keynote: Defiant Design: Stories of Victorian women cyclists, material invention and convertible costumes, Textile Institute's Annual Roy Godden Lecture, Royal College of Art, Jan 20. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact As a result of this event I was invited to give a key note to the West of England Costume Society in Bath in November 2016.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Invited talk: London Cycle Campaign, 15th Policy Forum Seminar 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The PI was invited to be a panellist presenting 'Latest Cycling Research' at the London Cycle Campaign's 15th Policy Forum Seminar held in the Department of Planning & Transport Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, University of Westminster. Although the panel was academic, the audience was made up of 45 urban planners, transport engineers, policy makers, researchers, campaigners and activists.

I was part of an expert panel - Alan Latham (University College London), Ian Garrard (Brunel University) and Jo Wood (City University London).

Questions in the discussion afterwards opened up issues around contemporary cycle wear, how women still report abuse from fellow road users and how this might be factors contributing to low women's cycling rates.


Really interesting and diverse questions and discussion after the presentation.
Jump in twitter activity about my project and increase in followers
Increase in activity on my blog
Invited to be part of a radio program (that is still in discussion)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://lcc.org.uk/pages/current-cycling-research
 
Description Invited talk: Research Seminar Series, Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact I delivered a talk while dressed in one of the initial versions of a Victorian Cycling Costume- (Extra) Ordinary Cycle Wear: Historic patents, convertible clothing and the contested nature of gendered mobility in Victorian Britain. The audience consisted of design, fashion, art, illustration and art history students and staff. There were lost of questions about the research, methods and also the practice of performing in consume - what this added to the project and the critical role of the body in my research.



After the talk/ demonstration I was invited to speak at Temporal Design: An Interdisciplinary Workshop 28-29th May 2014, Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh. Unfortunately I had to decline due to other commitments.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/tiger-riding-lady-dresses-skirtaloons-and-other-frock-stories-in-scotlan...
 
Description Invited talk: SPIN London: the cycling festival, for London Bike Kitchen, Old Truman Brewery, May 20-22. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact SPIN London is one of the largest cycling cultural events in the UK
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Keynote at Mobilities, Literature, Culture Conference, Lancaster University. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact I was invited to give the keynote at the Mobilities, Literature, Culture Conference, Lancaster University on 21-22 April . My paper: Secret Cycling Selves: How Victorian Women Negotiated Multiple Mobile Identities Through Patented Cycle Wear.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://moblitcult.wordpress.com
 
Description Live interview about Bikes & Bloomers on BBC Radio London's Robert Elms Show (28/04/18) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Live interview about Bikes & Bloomers on BBC Radio London's Robert Elms Show (28/04/18)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0637sqx
 
Description Live radio interview about Bikes & Bloomers on NZ Radio "The Nights" (21/01/19) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Live radio interview about Bikes & Bloomers on NZ Radio "The Nights" (21/01/19)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/nights/audio/2018679136/victorian-women-and-early-cycl...
 
Description Making Inventions Count: The gender politics of design patents, for the panel 'Counting by Other Means' at 4S/EASST Annual Conference, Barcelona (Sept 1-3) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact 4S (Society for the Social Study of Science) and EASST (European Association for the Study of Science and Technology) is run every four years. It brings together international scholars in the field of Science and Technology Studies. This event was on the theme of how STS is performed 'by other means'. I was invited to be on a panel about 'Counting by Other means' organised by Professor Sarah Kember (Goldsmiths) and Dr Alex Taylor (Microsoft). The room was at capacity and the response was productive. There are discussions about turning panel talks into an edited collection.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://www.4sonline.org/blog/post/4s_preview_counting_by_other_means
 
Description Masterclass at Australian Centre for Public History, University Technology Sydney, Australia 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Masterclass: Making Things to Make Sense of Things: Inventive practice in the archive, Australian Centre for Public History, University Technology Sydney, Australia. 1 Nov.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description OpenSpace Seminar at Open University 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Open Space Seminar: Politics of Patents: Researching Making and Wearing Clothing Inventions, Open University, Feb 12
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Panel organiser and talk: Society for the Social Study of Science (4S) conference, Buenos Aires, Argentina 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.)
Results and Impact The talk sparked questions and discussion afterwards

Given the positive response to the panel we discussed putting together an edited journal
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description Panel speaker for a London Waterstone's event: 'Rise Up Women! Celebrating one hundred years of the vote' 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I was invited to be a panel speaker at a London Waterston's event - 'Rise Up Women! Celebrating one hundred years of the vote' on 29 Jan. It was a tickets event and sold out.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rise-up-women-celebrating-100-years-of-the-vote-tickets-41758220963?a...
 
Description Panelist at Somerset House Screening and Discussion 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The PI was an invited panellist for an event at Somerset House featuring the screening of The Ladies Bridge documentary - a film about the construction of Waterloo Bridge by women during WWII. The event was ticketed (£6) and sold out well before the screening. The panel discussed the depiction of women through history and current female representation in STEM industries such as engineering and archaeology. This was a valuable opportunity to speak to an art and film audience about women as inventors and patentees in late C19th Britain.

The project gained attention on twitter and the website also reported increased traffic.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/the-ladies-bridge-documentary-screening-with-panel-discussion-and-qa-mon...
 
Description Paper given at the day long conference 'Gender, Sexuality and The Sensory' hosted at University of Kent, Canterbury 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact I was an invited speaker for Invited speaker for the day long conference 'Gender, Sexuality and The Sensory' hosted at University of Kent, Canterbury, UK on Friday 19th May. My paper was titled: Sociological Sewing: Sensory Encounters with Women's Invention in the Archive.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://www.kent.ac.uk/sspssr/news-events/gender-sexuality-sensory.html?tab=speakers-and-abstracts
 
Description Public Event: Bloomer Bicycle Ride 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact As a follow up event to the Bloomer Making Workshops, the research team invited members of the public to join a curated bicycle ride into London's rich cycling history. participants were invited to wear clothing they had made during the workshops. We traversed the city by bicycle, weaving together some of the lesser-known stories about inventive women who made, wore and patented extra-ordinary 'convertible' cycle wear, history of Rational Dress movement, textiles history and local patent agents. Participants talked about how the event enabled them to put some of these stories into physical contexts and learn much more about their own city than they had known before.


Increase in social media around the project before and after the event.
Increase in people requesting more information about upcoming events.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/video-bloomer-making-and-riding/
 
Description Symposium organiser: Live Transmissions - Critical conversations about crafting, performing and making 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Type Of Presentation workshop facilitator
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact LIVE Transmissions was a 4 day conference of a series of critical and creative events curated across a week in June (11-14th) designed to explore how we transmit and entangle social worlds through new forms of description. It included talks, DiY sewing workshops, performances, exhibitions and even a curated bike ride around London. It involved open public events and smaller more intimate invited interdisciplinary events to enable opportunities for making, discussions and debates. It brought together a range of people who translate and transmit their research findings in inventive ways and resist tidying or flattening their research in order to represent it, instead actively and often provocatively maintaining both openness and complexity in research outputs. This kind of work re-inhabits the social world, entangling with bodies and ideas and inviting unexpected happenings. We will explore through hands-on object oriented and embodied means a spectrum of modes of description and debate their potential for unlocking new expressions of the social. It was an exciting and exhausting week but it was generative of discussion around key themes in the project and also further consolidated the network of inventive practitioners that I had been developing through the project.

I received lots of positive feedback from participants: For eg. Many said that it provided an opportunity 'To feel at home instead of always having to defend a practice' and 'Thanks once again for inviting us to your amazing gathering this summer! It's super-thrilling to be around you and in the events that you put together. This time we appreciated the thoughtful and small and slow start of making bloomers, your introduction and the encounter with the others. All the speakers during the Thursda
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://transmissionsandentanglements.com/?p=583
 
Description Talk and installation at London Transport Museum's Late Debate - 'Women of the Future' 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I was invited to do a Pechakucha talk (20 slides 20 seconds each) and host an installation at the London Transport Museum's Late Debate 'Women of The Future', on Feb 8.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/events-calendar/shaping-ldn#women
 
Description Talk at Science Museum 'Late' on Wearable Technology 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Findings from the Bikes & Bloomers research project were recognised as relevant to a popular science audience. This is evidenced by an invitation to participate in the London Science Museum 'Late' in March 2015. Held monthly, Science Museum 'Lates' attract audiences in excess of 4000. Politically, this was a valuable opportunity to locate the innovations of lesser-known women inventors in a prestigious science institution. The fact that a project on Victorian women's cycle wear was invited to be part of a 'Late' on 'Wearable Technology' was also evidence of the relevance of the research to a contemporary audience and popular area of interest. The PI was invited to set up a pop-up exhibition and present/perform (twice) during the evening. This involved a 20min talk, demonstration of Victorian convertible cycling costumes and the audience was invited to try on a range of available garments and see how they felt on a stationary period bike. The response was very positive and energetic, to the point where participants were still dressed in garments when the second talk commenced.

Unsolicited feedback from the Science Museum: "Thanks again for your marvellous talk at the Science Museum. We got such great feedback from the audience, I only wish we could have had it three times rather than two on the night!"

After the talk, the website received increased traffic and attendees of the talks asked about future sewing workshops and when the sewing patterns would be made available.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/show-and-tell-and-try-on-at-the-science-museum/
 
Description Talk: INCITE-ing Transformation in Social Research: Inventive dialogues between sociology, technology development and creative practice. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.)
Results and Impact I gave a talk about my critical making practice at the INCITE seminar on Saturday 12th October - INCITE-ing Transformation in Social Research: Inventive dialogues between sociology, technology development and creative practice. It brought together speakers from sociology, technology development, design and art history. Talks addressed the impact of the work of INCITE - Incubator for Critical Inquiry into Technology and Enquiry - over the last decade and look forward to the new theoretical and methodological agendas which are being forged by its former students and researchers.The event featured contributions from eight speakers who had been aligned to INCITE at some point throughout the last ten years. It was quickly oversubscribed by MA Visual Sociology and Digital Sociology students as well as other related courses.

Some of the questions that my talk addressed:
What are the opportunities and challenges for social research and sociological methodology as they encounter the worlds of technology development and design?
Does social research emerge more creative and inventive in these collaborative engagements, or merely face series of disappointments?
Is it a process of translation or transformation? How can we think critically about such attempts to participate in making?


After the talk I was contacted by several MA and PhD students to talk about the benefits and challenges of engaging in practice-based research using experimental methods.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://transmissionsandentanglements.com/?p=116
 
Description Talk: Invited talk at RMIT's Digital Ethnography Research Centre (DERC) - Locating the Mobile workshop, Melbourne, Australia 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.)
Results and Impact Larissa Hjorth is part of my research network and invited me to present at her event. I gave a talk about my emerging research: 'Touching and Being Touched: emergent media methods, and modes of transmission'. It generated questions about inventive methods and the role of the researcher in the production and circulation of knowledge.

Larissa Hjorth invited me to be on her project advisory group due to my expertise in terms of methods and knowledge transmission.
Together we co-wrote an article for a special edition of Visual Studies - 'Methodological Entanglements in the Field: Methods, transitions and transmissions. Visual Studies, Special edition: Visualising Ethnography: Ethnography's Role in Art and Visual Cultures, 29(2), pp. 136-145.
Larissa has asked me to be involved in her forthcoming symposium 'Ambient Play - Digital creativity, play and labour in everyday life' in RMIT Europe in Barcelona in June 2015.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/bloomers-southern-hemisphere-style/
 
Description Talk: Web Development Skills: Improving Digital Literacy for ECRs in Academic Practice, London 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.)
Results and Impact My experience and expertise in knowledge exchange and digital technology research practices was identified by colleagues at the University of East Anglia and Queen Mary. Together we ran a one-day intensive workshop on Web Development Skills. My talk on 'Web Design Principles - Visual Web Literacy' focusd both on the design aspects of academic websites and on collaborations between academia and non-HEIs, in both engagement and enterprise'. It sparked discussion about the epistemological and practical challenges of digital research.


Participants in the workshop were very enthusiastic about my work and we discussed various issues - benefits, challenges and practicalities of manning an online research identity. They were tasked with putting their new found skills into practice and I am involved in a design-crit of their final work in Dec 2014. I was also invited, given the success of the project, to be part of a further bid to re-run and extend the project in 2016.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://chasedigitalliteracy.wordpress.com
 
Description Wheel suckers podcast 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I was invited to talk about the Bikes & Bloomers research and book on the WheelSuckers podcast. It is a "tandem" cycling industry comedy podcast hosted by Alex from cafe/bar/workshop Look mum no hands! and Jenni from the DIY bike workshop the London Bike Kitchen
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://soundcloud.com/wheelsuckerspodcast
 
Description Workshop: Bloomer Making Workshop 1 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact I was invited to give a lecture and full day workshop for 10 postgrad students from MA Fashion at Goldsmiths. The aim was to stimulate student engagement with critical making practices in research. The workshop began with a lecture followed by discussion about key themes and ideas in the research. The students spent the rest of the day making and customising their own versions of 1890s cycling bloomers from patterns and instructions provided by the research team. Not only did they spent the whole day working on these materials but also invested time throughout the following week but several also contacted the research team for extra guidance and to talk through ideas. This was the first Bloomer Making Workshop and it was so successful that I ran four full day events during the project and two smaller versions at other public events.

Students were invited to presented their final pieces at our 'Show and Tell: Dresses, Drinks and Data' event in the Sociology Dept at Goldsmiths - http://bikesandbloomers.com/show-tell-dresses-drinks-and-data/ This event opened up the studio, revealing our practices and work-in-progress to interested staff and students. Students wore their garments to the event, demonstrated them and talked about the experience of getting into a research project by literally making a garment. Months later, several also advised the research team that their final work was influenced by their participation in the workshop. The workshop was such a success that I ran six successful events in total (4 full day and 2 smaller versions) for different audiences.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/category/1-goldsmiths-ma-fashion/
 
Description Workshop: Bloomer Making Workshop 2 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact This all day Bloomer Making Workshop was targeted at the general public and held at a popular cycling cafe and workshop - Look Mum No Hands. 12 people signed up within 12hours - and the waiting list was also full within the day! The event was advertised and discussed via twitter, facebook and the project website. People sent photos of finished garments weeks later and some talked about how it triggered either a renewed interest in sewing or introduced them to a brand new skill. The collaborative experience of sewing and talking about the research proved to be (as before in Bloomer Making Workshop 1) a very productive and generative method.

Increased social media around the workshop - twitter, facebook and eventbrite. Generated interest and grew the public presence of the project.
I was invited to run more of these events in public contexts - Feminism in London 2014 conference (Oct 25), London Bike Kitchen (Nov 24).
People also send me pictures of people seen 'in the wild' in these costumes and some even turn up at my talks in bloomers they have successfully made with my patterns or at my workshops.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://bikesandbloomers.com/bloomer-making-day-ii-review/
 
Description Workshop: Bloomer Making Workshop 3 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact I started the full day event with a talk - 'What do bloomers have to do with sociology?' This was followed by a full day bloomer making workshop. It formed part of a four day Live Transmission event, curated across a week in June. It was attended was a mix of public practitioners - arts, design, writers, filmmakers, sociology, art history. Participants asked questions during and after my talk. Participants said it was both a relaxing and stimulating day which opened up for discussion, improvised, hands-on and object-oriented ways of thinking about and through knowledge production. It also prompted rich discussions about ontologies of how we come to know things.

Discussion from the event together with the networking that took place helped to provide a warm and collegial start to the rest of the events - such as the public talk that followed, the conference and launch night of the 'Bikes and Bloomers' event.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://transmissionsandentanglements.com/?p=500