A wonderful evening – marred by my gender bending

January 25, 2011 by
Filed under: The RSA 

I attended a great event last night jointly hosted by the RSA North East and the School of Design at Northumbria University. There is an exciting vision of a cultural partnership between the two organisations and over 150 Fellows and non Fellows turned up to hear what we had to say.

Apart from the great people and the stunning venue in the University’s still new campus, the best thing about the event was the focus on action. Several members of the design school issued calls to action asking RSA Fellows to support their research or work with students. Then, in return, during networking, several Fellows spoke to the academics describing problems which they thought designers could help solve.

Much of the discussion in the event focussed on service design and particularly on public services. I found myself repeating an argument I made several years ago when helping to set up the ultimately unsuccessful ippr commission on public service productivity: the North East economy is very dependent on public service spending but – given that health, education, crime prevention etc are growing global markets – the region could turn this to its advantage if only its leaders and creatives committed themselves to innovation.

Building from the 2020 Public Services Commission report, I also talked about social productivity and the need for public services which are better able to help individuals and communities meet their own needs as individuals. How can services be designed to tap into the hidden wealth of people’s commitment to improving their lives and places and to looking after themselves and each other. Also, thanks to my former RSA colleague, Laura Billngs, I was able to cite this fantastic example of innovation – making something wonderful happen by giving one group something they need while the givers find fulfilment in giving. ‘We need more people with the commitment and creativity of Professor Mitra’ I exclaimed ‘she shows what the Big Society could mean in action’.

So it was all a great triumph until, that is, someone from Newcastle University approached me as I wolfed down a bowl of dry roasted peanuts. ‘I’m sure Professor Mitra would be delighted that you praised the project’, the lady kindly  said, ‘but ‘she’ might be slightly less enthusiastic that you changed his gender.’ 

I guess this is reverse sexism – believing only a woman could have such a warm and brilliant idea. But as I have an incredibly low embarrassment threshold, I fear this might end up being the strongest memory I have of the whole event!     

PS:  My Animate has passed 400,000 views – if you have watched it thanks. If you haven’t, please help me make half a million by March.

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2 Comments on A wonderful evening – marred by my gender bending

  1. Laura Billings on Tue, 25th Jan 2011 11:55 pm

    2. Tsk tsk Matthew, you should read my blog posts in more detail ;)

  2. Hywel Davies on Wed, 26th Jan 2011 9:08 pm

    3. (FOREWORD: I can submit the full content as covered in this message Mr Taylor, I would appreciate a direct response! I have written a piece on centrism in British politics today, and come from an angle of the social democracy which you of course used to so prominently embody in the public eye! Thank you!)

    _______________________________________________________________

    FAO: Contributors to the Moral Maze, 26/1/11

    Dear all,

    I am contacting you in response to the (expectedly!) excellent edition of tonight’s programme.

    The values espoused by all contributors chime with my own, and I attach an article I completed last week. This is a piece I have completed in my spare time and have been widely circulating for dissemination and critique by individuals more learned than myself, which you all are.

    A note on my background: I am a graduate of Manchester Law School, and I am currently between positions in the field of legal aid – government cuts making this a more desperate position to be in!

    I am also a campaigner for Yes to Fairer Votes, an issue to which I have been drawn because I am convinced on its eminent sensibility as both a moderate position and a means of re-invigorating democracy in the UK

    http://www.yestofairervotes.org/

    That is another discussion, equally worth having!

    I unfortunately did not hear the entire programme, but did hear the B & B couple case brought up. My own position is human rights law must stand against such societal attitudes as displayed by those proprietors, but am also satisfied that they are able to avail themselves of a liberal judicial system until satisfied with the outcome.

    Again another discussion! Anyway, I invite comment on my piece by all means. A number of activists, politicians, academics and Nick Cohen are in possession of it. I understand that we are all incredibly busy people and so do not expect response in anything but your own time!

    I conclude with admiration for all of you and welcome any comment at all!

    Yours sincerely,
    Hywel Davies LLB (Hons)

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