Dr Alan Chamberlain, who leads the Somabotics Robo-Humanities theme, is collaborating with award-winning artist, researcher, and creative educator Rachel Jacobs to deliver a unique public event as part of Cumbria’s Great Big Green Week.

Taking place on Saturday 13th June at Ambleside Library, the free drop-in event will invite participants to explore a range of creative activities. These include reflecting on sustainability and robotics, facilitating conversations about the technologies we actually need in our everyday lives, and considering how stories and rituals can help us imagine and shape a thriving future.

Alan explained: “Engaging with the public in meaningful and inspiring ways is essential. One way to do this is through creativity and drawing on the Humanities to encourage fresh perspectives. We want people to reflect on how they see the world, about their histories, their environments, the objects and artefacts that matter to them, and their sense of place.”

The concept of ‘ritual’ plays a central role in the event. By thinking about everyday activities that shape our lives and the objects connected to them, visitors will be encouraged to reimagine how future technologies – such as  robots – might be designed. This drives the event’s title: “Robots and Rituals.”

The event forms part of an ongoing series of collaborative activities focused on public engagement and creative research methods. Supported by the Somabotics Fellowship and Wellcome Trust, Alan and Rachel’s work will enable the exploration of innovative approaches to engage with the public.

“Working with Rachel has allowed us to develop new skills and experiment with alternative, creative ways of engaging the public,” Alan adds. “We’re really excited to bring these approaches into our wider research culture.”