Exploring contexts for data materialisation in post-pandemic research activities with rural communities
Marion lean, Cate Hopkins · Proceedings of DRS · 2022
Insights into the ideas and experiences of people and communities affected by policy implementation enable policymakers to design systems and interventions. This is particularly pertinent in areas such as rural connectivity, where policy is often implemented by civil servants living in urban areas with limited experiences or understanding of the unique challenges presented by the rural terrain to digital infrastructure. Drawing on proposals for the value of design in policy settings by Whicher (2020) this paper illustrates practical examples of the use of design in particular in the areas of “changing the nature of evidence” and “more meaningful public consultation” and was conducted as part of a wider government response to the unique challenges presented by rural communities. The researchers used methods based in design research; textile thinking, games design; and ethnographic approaches. Design research approaches were used to learn from rural communities resulting in insights, observations, anecdotes and ideas that were embedded into artefacts and used to generate discussion about strategy to support the rollout of broadband in remote areas. The researchers uncovered new ways to present the nuanced details of the findings that are generated by the use of these methods, enabling policymakers access to rural lived experiences.