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At a glance
Description
Without hardware, there is no science. From Hooke’s microscope to the Hubble telescope, instruments are modern science’s platforms for producing knowledge (Liboiron, 2017).
Design and development of technology continues to take place in the (cis) male-dominated environments of engineering companies and university. Producing technology is often associated with being masculine and handed over to female-identified makers to act upon and to assimilate technology (Wuschitz, 2017) .
This is bias reflected in maker-communities (Holbert, 2016; Media, 2015; Moilanen, 2012), creating environments where underrepresented groups such as women,* trans* people or persons of colour do not feel welcome.
Adding to the problem is the fact that many female-identified technologists devalue their own expertise and qualifications (Newman et al., 2016). They also tend to demure their skills in applications, which often also results in lower salaries for equal labour (National Science Board, 2016).
It has often been mentioned in recent years how a Western-centric, post-colonial perspective fails to recognize innovation in engineering solutions that take place in developing countries. However, we have identified similar problems in Western-based hacker-spaces (FabLabs) (Wuschitz, 2017) .
The social function of the commons was especially important for women, who, having less title to land and less social power, were more dependent on them for their subsistence, autonomy, and sociality (Silvia Federici, 2004).
BODIES OF KNOWLEDGE* aim to demonstrate how underrepresented groups such as women* trans* and/or people of colour can take a much broader scope in the development chain, from design to manufacturing and the mainstream adoption of technologies.
Open Source Technology and Art Based Research is at the root of our philosophy, it enables us to share and collaborate without restrictions. This project aims to create a feminist maker space from which to evolve as people and as community.
There is an impediment in recognition of the contribution of women* and gender non binary to technology. We want to create and share infrastructure; Mutual self-help through sharing and learning.
*BODIES OF KNOWLEDGE is a term coined by Njideka Stephanie Iroh and Marissa Lôbo in “Bodies of Knowledge – Multiplying Marginalised Subjectivities of Utopia through Art and Storytelling”
What are we working on during the do-a-thon? What kinds of support do we need?
Collaborators for administration, communication, preparing proposals, workshops/ residences organizers, operatives, event planners.
Developing a financial strategy to open a physical space for feminist makers.
Setting up a WISH LIST of equipment donations, resources and infrastructure needs.
How can others contribute?
Fundraising and Sponsors
Call out Trans* people of color
Sharing experience setting up, administrating and running a Lab.
Event planing and community organizing
#Coding, #Community_GrassrootsOrganizing, #EventPlanning, #Fundraising, #Research
This post is part of the OpenCon 2017 Do-A-Thon. Not sure what's going on? Head here.