OpenDoTT Current IoT Practices Dataset: ESR3 Communities and Neighbourhoods

The overall aim of the PhD is to explore the potential use of Internet of Things (IoT) to support the creation and sustainment of community technology/infrastructure and other publicly shared objects. For the first year, the Dundee West End Community Fridge in Scotland was identified as a suitable case study for the research, while a community fridge in London and 4 other community-based organisations were interviewed to provide context.

The research followed a mixed approach consisting of probes, interviews, shadowing, observing and a volunteer journey. Participants were recruited through a mix of a signup form, direct outreach, snowball sampling, recommendations and posts on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Semi-structured interviews (face-to-face, via Zoom and phone calls) were conducted with 26 participants, 18 of whom were based in the UK. To get a better understanding of the workings of the Community Fridge, the researcher opted to volunteer, observe and shadow volunteers and staff. Some activities were interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

- Interview transcripts and interview notes

- Assorted photographs

- Sample forms, documents and announcements

- Participant recruitment tools

- Probes (eventually not used due to restrictions during the pandemic)

- Other data related to the research

The researcher (Sarah Kiden) can be contacted on sarah.kiden@northumbria.ac.uk. The project is supervised by Prof. Joyce Yee.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 813508.