Media Economies Design Lab Conference: Local Tech Ecologies

When the devastating Marshall Fire spread across Boulder County in on December 30, 2021, many of us turned to our phones and our networks. They helped us make sense of the crisis and keep each other safe. We relied on information from local organizations and governments, as well as global platforms not designed for a moment like that, and not designed for our community.

What if we valued local technology the way we value local food and local businesses?

This event, hosted by the University of Colorado’s Media Economies Design Lab, explores opportunities and challenges for building healthy tech ecosystems that are focused on the needs of local communities—with a focus on projects active across Colorado’s Front Range. What kinds of social media could bring people together rather than driving them apart? What kinds of gig platforms could put workers and small businesses above global monopolies? How can regional journalists develop tools truly suited to their needs? The event will make space to introduce projects already cultivating local tech ecologies in Colorado and beyond, and we will discuss strategies for more intentionally developing those ecologies in the future.

August 8, 2023
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (in-person)
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (live-streamed)
University Memorial Center room 235
University of Colorado Boulder

Speakers

Aaron Brockett (mayor, City of Boulder)
Becks Boone, Jamie Anderson (Rootable)
Caroline Savery (Bloom Network)
Erika Iacono (Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center)
Ethan Zuckerman (UMass Amherst)
Fernanda R. Rosa (Virginia Tech)
Josh Ritzer (Nigh)
LeeLee James (Slay the Runway)
libi striegl (Media Archaeology Lab)
Mike Perhats (Nosh)
Saleh Khaled Ibrahim (Phoenix of Gaza XR)

Lunch will be served, along with snacks and a reception at the end. This is a free event, but please consider making a donation to MEDLab to support their work.