Conventional models for digital technological developments tend to prioritise a linear approach around individual leaders (“founder worship”), a Venture Capital-based investment model, a high financial valuation, and market dominance through fast and aggressive scaling. But the search for innovation alternatives is important because these dominant models, popularised in Silicon Valley and beloved of policy elites, have often resulted in the increased concentration of power and resources, and in community alienation. How might digital be done more democratically and sustainability?
As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, Adrian Smith and Adrian Ely from SPRU organised an event with Phil Jones from Fusebox to explore with digital developers what might be learnt from grassroots innovation. You can read what we learnt here.
Grassroots Innovations 