Case Study: Increasing Engagement
DRIVA arts DRIVA
Context
DRIVA (Digital Research & Innovation Value Accelerator) is a £1.3m University of Brighton research project funded by the European Structural Investment Fund and Arts Council England that aims to provide technology SMEs, creative arts practitioners and cultural organisations supported and authorised access to Gatwick Airport’s big data.
always possible were appointed as the events partner in 2019, curating over 30 specialist workshops, talks, summits and webinars throughout the project’s 18-month lifespan.
Challenge
The always possible team’s task was to help participants to explore collective knowledge around data – how we use it, what it does and the possibilities of what it can do. Creating inspiring events that bring both tech entrepreneurs and creatives around the table, the ambition is to support over 100 participants to access more than 12 hours of support – through events and the wider university research offer.
Big data, specifically that from Gatwick, is the stimulus – but the events needed to provoke discussion on a wide range of ideas, from space data to blockchain, health & VR to gamification and data-driven ballet to name just a few. The 2020 Covid-19 pandemic meant that a rapid redesign of events into a digital programme was needed – as well as adapting the content to incorporate new topical and urgent debate.
Intervention
- Research
- Event planning
- Event management
- Facilitation
- Speaker bookings
- Marketing and communications
- Data collection
Outcome
- High profile events programme ✓
- Leading and world-class expert speakers ✓
- Physical and digital events ✓
- Wide range of audiences ✓
- New partnerships and collaborations ✓
- 30 events ✓
- 272 attendances ✓
- 42 expert speakers ✓
The always possible team is extremely well-networked and able to facilitate connections at a wide and narrow scope.
Very well organised, flexible and accommodating in support; well-informed and knowledgeable about the sectors they operate within. They rapidly adjusted and accommodated the cancellation of physical events due to social distancing measures and provided flexible informed expert advice about online options.
Stuart Hedley, University of Brighton
I was impressed at the team’s ability to balance a project with sometimes competing parameters: both research-focused and delivery-focused. We knew this was going to be really tricky but always possible ‘got it’ really quickly.
Donna Close, University of Brighton
