Move Together, Decide Together: Dancing Towards a New Democracy
Join your fellow Boomtown citizens to dance, deliberate and decide together in a mini Citizens' Assembly using pioneering biosensory equipment. A small sample of participants (first come, first served!) will be invited to wear mood-ring-style technology to capture heart and skin responses in real-time. We'll start with an embodiment exercise before moving into small groups where you'll discuss ideas and see what you can learn about yourselves, as well as each other. If you can't join on the day, an immersive digital version will be tested in the next phase so sign up now to be the first to know! If you do come along on Saturday, a meal voucher worth £15 will be provided to all participants. No prior knowledge needed - just curiosity, openness, and a willingness to move and be moved.
Register now with just your name and email - if you provide your mobile number we can also share with you an event reminder by SMS.
Research led by: Isabella Roberts and Dr Vanissa Wanick | University of Southampton | Winchester School of Arts
Facilitator bios:
Isabella Roberts' Phd on deliberative democracy and immersive technologies, focusing on the experience and not just the outcomes of engagement. Her PhD is at the University of Southampton with the Winchester School of Art, and she is also the independent evaluator of multiple deliberative processes such as the National Gallery Citizens' Assembly and the Birmingham Museums Trust Citizens' Jury. Founder of the ANTIPARTY movement, Bella has campaigned for democratic systems change since running for the London Assembly in 2021 and completing a Masters in Digital Politics. Now, she believes in the power of citizens' assemblies to bring people together and bridge divides in society - before it's too late!
Olivia Stamp is a facilitator, strategist, and educator working across participation, operations and civic innovation. She is Programme Manager for Waves, the largest trial of digital democracy in Britain, in partnership with Demos and Google. Olivia has led projects that help organisations unlock collective intelligence, strengthen collaboration, and support democratic and public-interest work.