Apply by: Wednesday 19 January
Course dates: Tuesdays 1, 8, 15, 22 February, 10am–12pm
Participants must be able to attend all four sessions.
The Course:
This four-part workshop offers an introduction to material ecology and is suitable for those wanting to explore circular design, sustainable materials and new material development.
The drive for sustainable reform across industry is closely linked to the emerging fields of bio-design and material ecology. These cross-disciplinary practices are moving away from traditional, linear models of materials sourcing to one that embeds circular principles in order to develop new technologies and processes using alternative abundant raw materials.
Developed in collaboration with Materiom, the open-source material recipe platform, the workshop explores the potential of sustainable materials development. You will be encouraged to consider the materials you currently use and creatively explore how you can redesign them using the abundant waste streams found all around us.
The online programme will run over five weeks and combines self-led materials research with live sessions where we will explore different areas related to materials development. Each participant will be sent a Biobox – a practical kit which includes everything you need to get started with bio-materials.
Sessions will be led by Sarah King (Senior Materials Science Technician, STEAMhouse), with contributions from Zoe Powell (Materiom).
Sessions:
Session 1: Meet the group, get familiar with your box and learn more about the origins of materials.
Session 2: Group catch-up, start to develop an understanding of circular design and its application within materials development, stage 2 task set.
Session 3: Group catch up, review of progress and outcomes so far, start to consider feasibility and viability of new materials in relation to current practice/projects.
Session 4: Group round up and final outcomes presented, future prospects and what next
How to apply:
This workshop is fully funded. To take part you must be an eligible SME – this means you must be registered as self-employed or have your own business and be based in England.
Spaces are very limited and we expect the workshop to be oversubscribed.
To apply to take part please email the following information to steamhouse@bcu.ac.uk by Wednesday 19 January. Please write “Biobox Workshop” in the subject header.
- A short expression of interest explaining why you want to take part in the workshop and how you think it will benefit your business. We are looking for participants who have a clear sense of how they might apply the knowledge they will gain.
- If you are not already a STEAMhouse member, please also introduce yourself and let us know what you do, and where you are based – including confirmation that you are self-employed or have your own business
