Mrs Sinead Ouillon

Following five years of delivering a wide range of projects using Coventry City as a test bed/living lab, Sinead Founded FabLab Coventry in 2016, using living lab approaches and methodologies to set up and operate what is essentially a STEAM (Science technology Engineering Arts and Maths) civic engagement programme, resourced by a world renowned social science research Institute (Institute for Peace Security and Social Justice). FabLab Coventry’s unique approach of citizen and social science driven, STEAM civic collaboration is novel in the world, and yet the evidence from our members, evaluation and social impact studies point towards this humble yet unorthodox approach to co-creation of research and university civic engagement, as a resounding success. With a background in circular economy, social research and social innovation, Sinead has built up an extensive range of support, from external stakeholders, local communities and external funding agencies to help in making a difference by testing social innovations capable of responding to a myriad of socio-economic, environmental and physical wellbeing challenges. She specialises in the design, implementation and evaluation of living labs as urban innovation spaces, using a range of participatory methodologies and approaches. She is currently responsible for over £3m of externally funded research and social innovation projects. Her research interests include, the circular economy, citizen social science, integration, social enterprise and innovation, Living labs, urban innovation and community university engagement.