Welcome to HacktionLab

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.

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HacktionLab latest

• Plans are a foot - or more correctly we have plans to use our feet. Hacktionlab on the Road is in the works. It's possible that there won't be a Barncamp 2012, but that Hacktionlab will concentrate on being present at other peoples festivals. 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.

• There is a gathering of projects involved with Hacktion Lab in Manchester on the 17th and 18th of September 2011 Manchester 2011 .

• Our last big event was BarnCamp 2011, which took place from the 9th - 12th June at Highbury Farm in the Wye Valley. Here's some photos from the event.

• A couple of hacktionlabbers gave a talk at Bristol Anarchist Bookfair on Saturday 7th May in the Bristol Indymedia Room. There's more information on what they talked about here.

• 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.

Previous HacktionLab events and activities

We have had eight great HacktionLabs so far, four rural skills-share events and four urban hacklabs. We've also been involved in bringing tech to and running workshops at a number of events:

• June 2011: BarnCamp 2011 - the fourth edition of our summer outing took place between 9 - 12 June 2011 in the Wye Valley. We built upon the success of the previous year, keeping the tech turned down, but also consolidating some of the new projects that hacktionlabbers are involved in, such as Be The Media and Network23.org. This year incorporated more off-grid technology with a repeat of the Wild Food Walk, a workshop of knot making and tools for open collaboration.

• November 2010, we held our seventh HacktionLab event in Bradford at the 1-in-12 Club.

• June 2010: BarnCamp 2010 - the third edition of our summer outing took place between 11 - 13 June 2010 in the Wye Valley. Retitled BarnCamp we focused on a turning down the tech to make it an event accessible to all with workshops including how to forage for food, how to make a slingshot and the ubiquitous how to encrypt your life.

• April 2010: The third of our city hacklabs took place in Oxford.

• November 2009: The second city hacklab took place in Bradford.

• August 2009: Camp for Climate Action 2009

• July/August 2009: The Big Green Gathering 2009 got canceled :(

• June 2009: The second rural HacktionLab event (aka BarnCamp) took place between 11 - 14 June 2009 in the Wye Valley on the Wales - England border.

• October 2008: The first city hacklab took place between 24 - 25 October 2008 in Leeds. click here for more information about the event and what happened

• August 2008: With other campers we helped to set-up the so-called media village at the Camp for Climate Action 2008 in Kingsnorth, Kent.

• June 2008: The first HacktionLab event (aka BarnCamp) took place between 13 - 15 June 2008, click here to view a slide-show of photos from the weekend. There are more photos posted here and this exciting short video too.

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
• Bristol Wireless LTSP suite