By: Claire Woodward What’s it like to be a fly on the wall? Our team of 25 active research assistants have a unique take on what this experience is actually like. Equipped with a tablet, a room thermometer, and a measurement pen, they often take a seat in a back corner or pew to observe the action. … Read more »
Geography of Meeting Spaces
By: Claire Woodward Civil Society Organizations utilize a variety of spaces for their meetings, with the majority using private spaces like churches, cafes, and private residences. But where are all of these places located? In the Bloomington Project of The Observing Civic Engagement Lab, we have identified nearly 100 spaces across the city collected from almost 1000 meetings over… Read more »
Places and Spaces: Where Civic Engagement Happens
By: Claire Woodward One pattern we have explored in the Observing Civic Engagement Lab is examining where convenings are taking place — that is, the kind of spaces various groups use to gather together. When you think of civic engagement, you might think of large events that occur on the streets of your city or town — something… Read more »