The University of Sheffield Hosts First International Symposium on Academic Makerspaces Outside the U.S.

The University of Sheffield Hosts First International Symposium on Academic Makerspaces Outside the U.S.
 

In September 2024, The University of Sheffield hosted the most recent International Symposium on Academic Makerspaces (ISAM) - marking the first time the event has taken place outside of the United States. This event drew 250 participants from across the globe, including students, academics, technicians, and professional staff from as far as Hong Kong, Australia, and many other regions, reflecting the international appeal of ISAM.

ISAM is an annual conference that brings together the academic makerspace community, offering a platform for sharing knowledge, promoting best practices, and showcasing innovations in makerspaces. Makerspaces - collaborative workspaces equipped for making, learning, exploring, and sharing - are transforming engineering education by providing hands-on learning opportunities that enhance creativity, innovation, and practical skills.

This year’s event marked a significant milestone, not only showcasing Sheffield’s rich industrial heritage but also highlighting The University of Sheffield’s leadership in engineering education. The conference was coordinated by Dr Pete Mylon, Dr Charis Bronze (Project Manager) and Matt Jacobs, all part of the Multidisciplinary Engineering Education (MEE) at the university, which is home to the innovative iForge Makerspace. Their efforts in organising ISAM 2024 reflect the university’s deep commitment to advancing makerspace culture and enhancing the learning experiences of students, with far-reaching impacts on the future of engineering education globally.

Keynote Speaker Ruth Amos, Sheffield’s very own award-winning inventor, captivated the audience with her inspiring journey from creating the StairSteady at just 16 years old to founding several STEM outreach initiatives. Her YouTube channel, ‘Kids Invent Stuff’, has gained international recognition for sparking young people's interest in engineering. Ruth’s message resonated deeply with the audience, particularly her advocacy for embracing curiosity, creativity, and breaking barriers in STEM education.

The three-day program featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and paper presentations, exploring themes such as entrepreneurship, sustainability, diversity, and community engagement in makerspaces. Panels included insights into integrating makerspaces with academic curricula and how these spaces can enhance interdisciplinary collaboration. The International Contexts panel shed light on the global impact of makerspaces, with discussions on the challenges and opportunities faced by makerspaces in different regions of the world.

The success of this event is a testament to the thriving maker culture at the University of Sheffield and the significant role makerspaces play in shaping future engineers and innovators. Sheffield’s involvement in ISAM, alongside sponsorship from key industry partners such as Autodesk, CSI, ProtoLabs, RS Group, Additive-X, and 3DPrinterOS, is set to benefit students in both the short and long term by fostering connections and providing exposure to the latest developments in making, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Pete Mylon, ISAM 2024 Academic Lead, reflected on the event, saying, “It was fantastic to host 250 makers from across the globe - teachers, students, and professional services staff who are passionate about maker education. There was a real buzz across the three days, and I had some great conversations with delegates. Ruth Amos's keynote was a highlight of the event for many people, both inspiring and engaging.”

The conference concluded with a clear message: makerspaces are crucial in empowering students to innovate, create, and engage with the world around them. As Sheffield passed the torch to UC Berkeley, the host for ISAM 2025, the spirit of collaboration and innovation that defined ISAM 2024 will continue to inspire students and makers across the globe.

Next year, UNIMAKER will be hosted by the University of Salford, UK, and the global makerspace community will gather again, this time at UC Berkeley for ISAM 2025.