Another spring in Berlin (at least in theory, though challenged by this disappointing weather), another edition of the GIG week - annual meeting of the Global Innovation Gathering, a network and organisation I'm proudly part of. The week took place in late May and was, as usual, a great opportunity to be among my kind of people.
Even though I was present when the first seeds of GIG started sprouting in 2013, it took me years to become a member. And even then, when I finally joined the association, I was neck-deep into writing my thesis. For that reason, my onboarding and engagement were slow. But steady nonetheless. Over the last few years, I joined many calls, co-wrote proposal submissions, met members and partners of GIG in different parts of the world. I'd eventually work on a first collaboration, for a project on algorithmic bias in Brazil. More recently, I became a part-time researcher at GIG, in a project I co-created and helped raise funds for.
That was the context when the GIG week started. The first day happened at the America Memorial Library in Kreuzberg. Besides receiving and distributing many gig hugs, I had the chance to present the project I'm working on. It's called Circular Material Valuer Curriculum, expanding on design concepts created during my PhD research and receiving valuable contributions from GIG members and other participants.
Then we all went for three intense days at re-publica, with multiple workshops, talks, impromptu collaborations, and many interesting conversations around the GIG Makerspace. I spend those days navigating through the programme, discussing possibilities and building bridges for future collaborations. And of course, having fun, fuelled by Meta Mate.
Finally, we gathered for another two days of activities, first exploring the Berlin scene (I helped organise a visit to Kollage Kollectiv for GIG members). On the last day, we gathered once again to spend time together and conduct members-led workshops. I used that occasion to host an open conversation about my project, bridging different realities and collecting data to refine the construction of the curriculum.
It usually takes me a couple of weeks to process and digest everything that happens during the GIG week. I had a great time - meeting again some people that I hadn't seen in person for more than 15 years, as much as getting to know new members and partners. And let's start building next year's edition already!
P.S.: thank you Paweł Ngei for the professional photos, conversations, and references.