Digital Works Podcast

A conversation with Watershed CEO, Clare Reddington.

Watershed is an independent cinema, cultural hub, and home of the creative technology community, Pervasive Media Studio.

Clare was one of the keynote speakers at this year's Digital Works Conference and in our chat she expanded on some of the themes and ideas that were touched on in her keynote session. Ideas of digital confidence, leadership in difficult times, embracing risk, understanding who your audience is (and is not), and acknowledging when you aren't the right person or organisation to take a lead on something.

Clare is a really effective, inspiring and thoughtful voice on digital (in all its many manifestations), technology, and the role of cultural organisations in the 21st century.

We also discussed Undershed, Watershed's new immersive gallery, which is a great example of some of the traits and principles that Clare's leadership embodies.

Clare is also a Visiting Professor at University of the West of England. She is chair of Emma Rice's Wise Children, and is a trustee of of RSC and British Council.

The thirteenth episode of Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 (or 4) things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter.

In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on Sept 3rd.

We talk about:

• Matt Stasoff on the State of Social in 2024
• Rob Cawston on the National Library of Scotland's AI Statement
• Carly Ayres on "how design's oldest org torched a decade of design discourse"

You can sign up for the newsletter at thedigital.works.

Dr. Martin Poulter is Wikimedian in Residence at the Khalili Foundation.

We hear how Martin moved from being a dedicated volunteer Wikipedia contributor to a key advocate for the open content movement, harnessing Wikipedia’s potential to democratise access to cultural heritage and knowledge. 

Through his collaborations with organisations like the Bodleian Libraries, University of Bristol, and the Khalili Collection, Martin shares his thoughts on the significant opportunities that can arise when cultural institutions embrace Wikipedia.

Martin also shares a frank and insightful perspective on the cultural and mindset change that is required to fully capitalise on these opportunities.

The twelfth in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 (or 4) things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter.

In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on July 16th.

We talk about:

• The 5 habits of innovative councils
• Business Insider on Google's research looking at Gen Z's consumption habits
• Friends of the Earth 'steal our ideas'

You can sign up for the newsletter at thedigital.works.

A conversation with SFJAZZ's Director of Digital, Ross Eustis.

Since 2020 SFJAZZ have developed a comprehensive programme of content for their digital audiences. We look at how these programmes can expand audience reach and enhance engagement.

Ross talks about how this digital work can complement in-person experiences, making performances more accessible and help foster a sense of community globally.

Ross also emphasises the importance of a beginner's mindset, transparency with audiences, and the value of knowledge-sharing between cultural institutions.

If you want to check out all of the videos Ross and his team have been making, head over to SFJAZZ.org/AtHome

The eleventh in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 (or 4) things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter.

In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on May 30th.

We talk about:

• Patreon CEO, Jack Conte's SXSW keynote "Death of the Follower & the Future of Creativity on the Web"
• A Slate article on the demise of DeviantArt
• A viral tweet about cheeseburger salad (and accompanying analysis)

You can sign up for the newsletter at thedigital.works.

We sit down with the brilliant Kate Carter, Director of Audiences at the Edinburgh International Festival. Kate shares the experiments that EIF have been carrying out around their audience experience, particularly for classical concerts.

The tenth in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie usually discuss 3 (or 4) things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter but in this episode are looking back at the first Digital Works Conference.

Ash and Katie identify a few themes and takesaways that are applicable to all cultural organisations, regardless of size:

• Prioritising questions, imagination, and people over technology and assumptions
• Building stronger, more direct relationships with your audience 
• How inclusion and accessibility benefits everyone
• And last but not least that there is lots to learn from other sectors

A conversation with Adam Stoneman, founder of Ireland's Muse-Tech Working Group.

Adam's career is a testament to the possibilities that can arise when cultural institutions embrace technology to democratise and enhance the museum experience.

Last year the Muse-Tech Working Group, a cohort of Irish museum professionals, published Museum Technology: A Critical Primer.

This document engaged with the implications for the cultural sector of emerging technologies such as biometrics, web3, and XR. Through dialogue with civil rights experts and academics, they produced the critical primer to try and start sector-wide conversations to ensure technology serves the cultural sector authentically and ethically.

We explored topics including digital literacy, power imbalances and skepticism towards tech corporations, and the push for open-source initiatives.

You can download the Primer document for free here.

The nineth in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 (or 4) things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter.

In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on April 15th.

We talk about:

• Deloitte's 2024 Digital Media report
• Aaron Cope's blog post on how the SFO Museum is navigating the Fediverse
• We look at the news that The New York Times are measuring user attention and engagement metrics in new ways
• And last but not least we look at AI meets social history with 'Synthetic Memories', a project aiming to fill the visual void in underrepresented communities' pasts. 

You can sign up for the newsletter at thedigital.works.