For our team at Smartline, engagement with stakeholders and members of the public has been central to our work for the past 5 years.

In working with more than 200 social housing tenants we understand the value of public participation and involvement, both in generating research ideas and in supporting our work.

So, when the opportunity arose to join the University of Exeter Pop-up Shop at Make Tank Gallery in Exeter, we jumped at it.

The one-day pop-up event was free for the public and organised by the University of Exeter to meet researchers of all disciplines and backgrounds.  There were interactive activities, talks, workshops, guided walks, and demonstrations, which brought to life the brilliant and exciting work that happens at the University. It was organised as part of a wider event called Futures 2022, supported by the educational charity Agile Rabbit. 

For this event, the Smartline Research Team at the University of Exeter presented an interactive outdoor installation on Saturday 1st October 2022, “Home and the Wishing Tree”.

Home and the Wishing Tree is a colourful doll house and wishing tree, that invites members of the public to chat with us about our research, and what matters for them in relation to homes and housing.  People are welcome to write down their reflections and wishes for their home on our wishing tree, which we will reflect on when contextualising our research and communicating our findings.

Over the course of the project, the Smartline research team have been working with over 200 social housing households managed by Coastline Housing in Cornwall, to understand residents’ aspirations and challenges, and to explore how digital technology can improve their daily life. 

Tenants’ involvement has been critical in shaping this ground-breaking project as well as the areas of research that we have focused on. This participation has also been vital in providing insight into the lives and homes of many people, providing valuable data that is being investigated to explore how homes may be better managed and people supported.

Amongst the team who met with members of the public at the Exeter Pop-up Shop was Research Fellow, Ria Poole from the University of Exeter who says:

Adrian Ankers, Project Coordinator for Coastline Housing has been pivotal in supporting our engagement with their customers and also took the opportunity to join the event, Several projects have arisen from the Smartline work so far, including developing digital sensor technology within the home to improve the indoor environment and bespoke digital community hubs.  We also support over 280 businesses across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to launch new digital products, processes and services designed to improve people’s health and wellbeing.