Professor Susan Halford and Professor Dimitra Simeondiou have led the development of BDFI since 2019. Here Susan reflects on what has made the endeavour special to her as she announces that she is standing down as academic co-Director. Susan will continue to work with BDFI supporting its activities and mission and as the key link to the new ESRC Centre for Sociodigital Futures.
It has been a remarkable privilege to co-lead BDFI in these formative years and I am very proud indeed of what Dimitra, myself and the team have achieved during this time.
What started as a hugely ambitious aim in 2018 – to do digital futures differently – is now a unique and lively Institute, located in beautifully refurbished Victorian ‘sheds’ which will house state-of-the-art innovative research facilities for academics from across the university and our partners in industry, government and civil society.
Breaking the linear model of innovation
During the last four years I’ve been continually impressed by the commitment of our partners and academics to transform the way we do digital innovation. This calls on us all to break the linear model of innovation – where technology comes first, and impact is examined later – and to develop sociotechnical thinking, methodologies and innovation practices. This is far from trivial, and we have learned a lot along the way, but BDFI is uniquely placed to succeed because we are truly interdisciplinary, starting with the leadership and reaching right across the Institute.
Strong foundations
BDFI now sits at the heart of a truly impressive stream of sociotechnical research and innovation at the University of Bristol.
We have laid the foundations for a step-change in how we think about and do digital innovation. With ten outstanding new academic appointments already in place, and ten more to come, there is no doubt that BDFI will go from strength to strength. I look forward to remaining actively involved as the institute grows and drives digital innovation for fair, sustainable and prosperous futures.