Welcome to HacktionLab

For news & updates about BarnCamp and other HacktionLab events, sign-up to our low-traffic announcements mailing list*.
*Mailing list kindly provided by Aktivix.

Another Technology is Possible...

HacktionLab is UK tech-activist run project that aims to create regular convergence spaces where activists interested and/or working in the areas of alternative media, renewable energy, on-line video distribution, free software or any other form of activism that utilises technology can get together and plan how to better harness the technology (or not) to support grass roots social movements. HacktionLab is also working to create a roadshow of outreach workshops and discussion spaces that can be run alone or as part of a larger event.

HacktionLab runs the successful BarnCamp event a rural skills-sharing gathering.

HacktionLab has also helped to nuture and launch several projects, including Network 23, Tech Tools for Activism and Be The Media.

HacktionLab latest

Visit this page for more details of and links to all our previous events and collaborations.

• We have a stall at the London Anarchist Bookfair taking place at Queen Mary’s, University of London on Saturday 27th October. Look out for us somewhere there.

• We've just announced the return of our popular BarnCamp rural hack-lab skills-sharing gathering event, which will take place in June 2013. Visit this page for more details as they develop.

• We're now finalising the second edition of our booklet, Tech Tools for Activism, which we distributed the first pre-release run at the Movement Support Gathering in Birmingham. We're now looking for funding in order to be able to print and distribute version 2. In the mean time there are still some copies of the original booklet available to order.

• Some members of HacktionLab have just launched the brand new Tech Tools for Activism web site. And a list of new tools for 2012 new tools for 2012

• We also have proposals on the table for two larger urban media and tech activist gatherings to be held in Oxford and Manchester early next year.

• Over the summer, some of us attended the Open Source Hardware Camp and the Movement Support Gathering.

• May Bank Holiday, the Spring 2012 HacktionLab took place at the London Action Resource Centre (LARC). Go here for more details.

• In January 2012 we returned to the brilliant 1-in-12 Club (Bradford) for the third time and the tenth HacktionLab, a gathering of people from various projects that featured a Drupal clinic, and launched Tech Tools for Activism, a new project to provide a co-ordinated gateway into resources for activists in the UK. More on this very soon....

• We recently had stalls at the Rebellious Media Conference (8/9 Oct, London) and also at the London Anarchist Bookfair (22 Oct, London) where we were chatting to people and giving out copies of Tech tools for activists.

• There was a gathering of projects involved with HacktionLab in Manchester on the 17th and 18th of September 2011: our ninth gathering at Hacktionlab Manchester 2011.

• Having decided not to host Barncamp 2012, plans are a foot - or more correctly we have plans to use our feet. Hacktionlab on the Road is in the works. We're concentrating on being present at other peoples events. The Green Gathering, Shambala and some smaller activist gatherings have been suggested for the 2011/2012 tour. We've already approach some organizers and got very positive feedback, but we're a bit late for this years festy season. If on the other hand you do want Barncamp 2012 to go ahead, you should step up to the plate: join the mailing list and declare your intent. It is very likely that BarnCamp will be back after a year's (well-earned?) rest in the guise of BarnCamp 2013.

• Some hacktionlabbers have recently been involved in launching a new anonymous secure blogging network using a Wordpress network set up.

• We our pleased to have just finished the first version of our booklet Tech tools for activists. It is aimed at non-techies, from grass-roots and NGO activists to the ordinary person on the street who is concerned about privacy and the surveillance state. It provides technical help and tips about computer security and publishing your own media, amongst other topics. Find out more about it and where you can get hold of hard copies, or download it.

• Finally various local HacktionLab collectives are the throes of organising workshop events in their local areas. Get on the list and get in touch if you're interested in organising, giving or attending a workshop.

Contact Details

Nearly all proposals, discussions and news takes place on our (old fashioned) Mailing List. This is the best place to get in touch:

• Join the email list. More information at this page
• There is also the (now somewhat defunct) Crabgrass group located at https://we.riseup.net/hacktionlab

Interesting Links

• No Borders Mobile tech set up 2007
• Indymedia centre at Climate Camp (Sipson 2007)
• Indymedia at the Camp for Climate Action 2006: Report & Personal View
• Stirling Indymedia - Field IMC at Horizon Ecovillage during G8 protests
• Edinburgh Media Centre Tech during G8 protests
• Indymedia: HOWTO Mount a Media Centre
• Suite of low-cost, low-energy laptops running Linux at a home education festival in 2005 - Bristol Wireless