#IdeasAtWork
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uomhums.bsky.social
Write. Draw. Collage. Reflect.

The Embodied Everyday project shows how creative methods can give people different ways to explore and share their experiences of inequality, putting community knowledge at the heart of research.

🔗 uom.link/EmbodiedEver...

#Creativity #Research #IdeasAtWork
November 12, 2026 at 3:16 PM
uomhums.bsky.social
Not all impact can be measured in numbers.

Dr Sophie Everest and Dr Andy Hardman explore how co-produced films can offer a more participatory approach to project evaluation, capturing experiences that might otherwise be overlooked.

👉 Read the reflection: https://ow.ly/LKZQ5101CNf

#IdeasAtWork
A gardener with a wheelbarrow works in front of Platt Hall. Text overlaid reads: 'When gardeners become filmmakers: Exploring the impact of creative research methods...'
November 8, 2026 at 9:00 AM
uomhums.bsky.social
🎥 Creative methods can't be serious research tools – can they?

Dr Andy Hardman explains how creative methods, such as filmmaking, can be a valuable tool for evaluation, capturing how cultural participation shapes people's relationships with place and belonging.

#IdeasAtWork | @manchester.ac.uk
November 4, 2026 at 3:18 PM
uomhums.bsky.social
Local spaces such as Platt Hall, based in the heart of South Manchester, play a vital role in shaping our city's cultural identity.

Dr Sophie Everest explains how filmmaking captures the impact of community projects in ways that can be difficult to quantify: https://ow.ly/T7l35101CCt

#IdeasAtWork
November 5, 2026 at 11:00 AM
uomhums.bsky.social
🌱 Watch the films: uom.link/thegardenpro...
💭 Discover humanities #IdeasAtWork: uom.link/IdeasAtWork

@manchester.ac.uk | @uomsalc.bsky.social | #Research
The Garden Project | Platt Hall
uom.link
November 2, 2026 at 11:13 AM
lanrickbennett.bsky.social
#IdeasAtWork

@cycletoronto.bsky.social the election is done but the fight for equitable and safe streets continues. I think a map like this for Toronto could help inform constituents of what is happening in their wards during the next four years.

Cc: @progresstoronto.bsky.social
October 29, 2026 at 10:16 AM
uomhums.bsky.social
Is co-production too messy?

Messy or not, co-production is instrumental in creating meaningful and impactful research. It's not just about research happening to a community; it's about bringing them into the process. #research #coproduction #IdeasAtWork

youtube.com/shorts/x1KQR...
Is co-production 'too messy'? Here's a humanities take...
YouTube video by The University of Manchester- Faculty of Humanities
youtube.com
October 28, 2026 at 4:41 PM
uomhums.bsky.social
And the work is continuing.

From COVID-19 and migration to flooding, climate justice and disaster risk reduction, Just Recovery shows what can happen when communities are treated as experts in their own experiences, not simply recipients of aid.

🔗 uom.link/BeingHeard

#IdeasAtWork #ResearchImpact
The power of being heard
When we think about disaster recovery, we often think about rebuilding roads, restoring services or repairing damaged homes. All important, but for many people
uom.link
October 26, 2026 at 12:25 PM
uomsalc.bsky.social
Think humanities research is just about understanding the world? Think again.

Ideas at Work shows how researchers work with communities to turn understanding into tangible change.

See humanities research at work: uom.link/IdeasAtWork

#IdeasAtWork #ResearchImpact
October 20, 2026 at 3:31 PM
lanrickbennett.bsky.social
#IdeasAtWork

Making a bit of noise at City Hall the day after everyone has voted.

Huge thanks to @civictechto.bsky.social for providing that stage and space to have some really needed dialogue.

Ticketing information below. See you online or in person.

h/t @uoftcities.bsky.social #TOPoli
civictechto.bsky.social Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Oct 16
👉️️ Tue Oct 27 → 7pm • in-person & online

The day after Toronto votes, join @neeeda.bsky.social of The Green Line, @graphicmatt.com of City Hall Watcher and moderator @lanrickbennett.bsky.social to unpack the results and surprises!

✚ mingling & informal breakouts!

guild.host/events/civic...
Event graphic for Civic Tech Toronto Meetup #566, Tuesday October 27th at 7pm, in person and online, a special civic meetup: post-election recap. Speakers Anita Li, Matt Elliott and Lanrick Bennett Jr. Photos of Anita, a smiling woman with dark shoulder-length hair and gold-rimmed glasses wearing an olive green top; Lanrick, smiling in a bike helmet and glasses, wearing a grey hoodie that reads “Bicycles deliver the freedom that autos promise,” with the Toronto skyline behind him; and Matt, a man with long brown hair and a full beard. Blue gradient background.
October 16, 2026 at 1:30 PM
lanrickbennett.bsky.social
#IdeasAtWork

The School of Cities Municipal Election Issue Briefs
@uoftcities.bsky.social has prepared a series of short issue papers, intended to inform the platforms of municipal candidates & serve as a post-election resource for municipal officeholders schoolofcities.utoronto.ca/research-pub...
School of Cities Municipal Election Issue Briefs As the City of Toronto and surrounding municipalities prepare to go to the polls on October 26, 2026, the School of Cities has prepared a series of short issue papers, intended to inform the platforms of municipal candidates and serve as a post-election resource for municipal officeholders. These briefs have been collaboratively drafted by the school’s research team and faculty affiliates. Academics from across disciplines and departments at U of T attended one of three roundtables, at which they were invited to brainstorm ideas for the incoming council that are ambitious, not widely talked about, but fundamentally implementable. The aim was to identify insights and priorities that are critical to the health and prosperity of communities in the region and to inform the development of electoral platforms that address these issues. These ideas are bold, and offer innovative takes on issues of widespread concern to residents and politicians alike – housing, congestion, public safety, and youth employment, among others. The briefs are backed up with concrete examples of implementation in other cities globally, existing research into likely success, and instances of established political support.
October 15, 2026 at 2:03 PM
lanrickbennett.bsky.social
#IdeasAtWork

The Bloor Street West Complete Street Extension between Runnymede Road and Resurrection Road aims to make travel on the street safer, more inviting and attractive for everyone.

www.toronto.ca/services-pay...

h/t @toronto.ca #TOpoli
Bloor Street West Complete Street Extension The Bloor Street West Complete Street Extension between Runnymede Road and Resurrection Road aims to make travel on the street safer, more inviting and attractive for everyone. The project provided road safety improvements, cycle tracks and public realm upgrades to meet Toronto’s Vision Zero Road Safety Plan and Climate Change Action Plan goals. The Bloor Street West Complete Street Extension was approved by City Council (IE4.3 (opens in new window)) on June 14, 2023. Answers to Common Questions Installation Updates Final Roll Plans Monitoring and Evaluation Emergency Response Times Traffic Study Public Consultation Project Area Summary of Changes Background
October 8, 2026 at 6:30 PM
lanrickbennett.bsky.social
#IdeasAtWork
If you have access to someone who can translate this information, you should connect with Social Planning Toronto here info@socialplanningtoronto.org
October 8, 2026 at 6:51 AM
lanrickbennett.bsky.social
#IdeasAtWork

Arkells have launched a couple of new merch items in support of the @tdsb.on.ca and its healthy breakfast programs for students.

h/t Jim Cuddy, Steven Page, Noah Reid, PUP, Broken Social Scene and The Beaches.

www.iheartradio.ca/en/music-new...
Arkells Are Now Selling TDSB Hats to Raise Money for Student Breakfast Programs
www.iheartradio.ca
October 7, 2026 at 7:16 PM
lanrickbennett.bsky.social
Need a collaborative ‘Meeting of the Minds’ with my friend @tomflood.bsky.social #IdeasAtWork
October 4, 2026 at 5:42 PM
lanrickbennett.bsky.social
#IdeasAtWork
Economy for All
Affordability for All
Housing for All
Transit for All
Wellbeing for All
Climate for All

City For All platform via @planningtoronto.bsky.social ❤️✊🏾📢

@progresstoronto.bsky.social any of your candidates working towards any of these platforms? Would love a list for #TOpoli
planningtoronto.bsky.social Social Planning Toronto @planningtoronto.bsky.social · Sep 28
We all deserve to thrive in our city, but so many of us continue to struggle.

If we raise our voices together, we can spark bold change and push leaders at City Hall to take action and build a city for all.

www.cityforall.ca
A CITY FOR ALL: A Collective Call For Change
www.cityforall.ca
October 2, 2026 at 2:48 AM
lanrickbennett.bsky.social
#IdeasAtWork

No rankings. No endorsements. No telling you who to vote for. Just creating better questions to ask your #TorontoDanforth candidates.

Read the guide www.torontodanforth.org and share it with your neighbours.

h/t
@planningtoronto.bsky.social

#TOpoli
Image of a Library "Community is Forever" Calendar of the Month of October Advance voting days in your ward (10am to 7pm) Oct 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11 Election Day (10am to 8pm) Oct 26 Image of a mural with a person sitting on a bench in a park "12 questions to start the conversation. 36 deeper dives to take it further." Toronto-Danforth has a lot of people asking for your vote. Instead of telling you who to choose, this Question Guide was built to help you ask better questions about what the next councillor will actually do for our neighbourhoods and community. Input from Toronto-Danforth residents and people with knowledge across the ward has been turned into 12 areas of questions, each with deeper questions to help you move beyond campaign promises and understand what candidates can realistically accomplish over the next four years.
October 2, 2026 at 5:50 PM
lanrickbennett.bsky.social
#IdeasAtWork

bsky.app/profile/lanr...
September 29, 2026 at 7:24 PM
lanrickbennett.bsky.social
#IdeasAtWork

'Basketball is one of the most popular sports in Canada, but cities often struggle to build and maintain outdoor facilities...We investigate the political and systemic forces that shape our recreational spaces' via @uytaelee.bsky.social

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwvO...
September 29, 2026 at 6:57 PM
lanrickbennett.bsky.social
#IdeasAtWork

When has car parking ever helped to reduce or eliminate congestion on roads?

Wonderful explainer of maximum road capacity, with fancy colours overlaid on of most recent Critical Mass ride for context by Brian Tao

h/t @thebikinglawyer.bsky.social @ffsafestreets.bsky.social #BikeTO
September 29, 2026 at 10:26 AM
lanrickbennett.bsky.social
#IdeasAtWork

‘TPSC has been out and about this summer asking park users about their public washroom experience!

If you haven't already, please complete our online survey to share your thoughts about public washrooms in Toronto.’ - @torontopublicspace.bsky.social

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Three people in a park with a washroom rating poster “HOW WAS YOUR WASHROOM EXPERLENE???” toronto_public_space TPSC has been out and about this summer asking park users about their public washroom experience! If you haven't already, please complete our online survey (link in bio) to share your thoughts about public washrooms in Toronto. So far we have visited the Christie Pits and Riverdale Park East washrooms. Where should we canvas next? Please let us know in the comments! Individual holding up a washroom rating poster “HOW WAS YOUR WASHROOM EXPERLENE???” Toronto Public Washroom Survey What are your experiences with public washrooms in Toronto? Help the Toronto Public Space Committee (TPSC) shape better public washrooms for the future of Toronto! Note: when answering questions about public washrooms, be sure to reflect on your experiences using PUBLIC washrooms (e.g. city park washrooms, public community buildings, etc.) NOT private business (e.g. restaurants, cafes, etc.). Note: help us keep this anonymous, do not provide any personal identifiers. The data collected from this survey will be used by the TPSC in stakeholder meetings with the City of Toronto to help improve washrooms in the city.
September 27, 2026 at 1:37 PM
lanrickbennett.bsky.social
#IdeasAtWork

Equity of benefits from e-bike adoption incentivized through income-tiered purchase rebates

‘Enjoyment and wellbeing were frequently mentioned benefits besides mode shift and utility.’

Cc: @mbonsma.bsky.social @modacitylife.com @urbantruth.bsky.social @ohtheurbanity.bsky.social
ScienceDirect® Q Journal of Urban Mobility Date: December 2026 Show more Research article • Open access Under a Creative Commons license » Get rights and content » Equity of benefits from e-bike adoption incentivized through income-tiered purchase rebates Alexander Bigazzi a & W, Polina Polikakhina ", Kyla Yu°, Amir Hassanpour a, , Meghan Winters' Show more new research from British Columbia, Canada, looked at the impact of e-bikes incentives across 1,004 recipients in an income-tiered e-bike rebate programme. The results show how the impact e-bikes can have for active mobility, especially across specific demographic groups: 12% lower weekly travel costs after one year of e-bike ownership (while participants were actually travelling more) 14% more physical activity during travel; e-bikes can support active mobility even with electric assistance! More mobility: participants gained an average of 5.6 km per week in trips they reported they would not otherwise have made. The benefits were particularly strong for some groups, including seniors, people with physical limitations, people with limited incomes and rural residents. The interesting study also highlights some barriers to making a greater use of their e-bikes: theft, inadequate infrastructure, lack of secure parking spots. This is a reminder of how e-bike incentives can help make active mobility more accessible! Abstract Active transportation offers a range of benefits for users, but there are systemic disparities in use of active travel modes. Enabling access to electric-assist bicycles (e-bikes) can enhance mobility justice by mitigating equity-related barriers to active travel. This potential has motivated equity-oriented e-bike incentive programs, but there is limited evidence of their impacts. In this study we use survey data (N=1,004 responses) to investigate how the long-term impacts of e-bike adoption vary across recipients of income-tiered e-bike purchase rebates in British Columbia, Canada, particularly for low-income purchasers and other structurally marginalized population groups. In addition to substantially reduced e-bike purchase costs (by 48%), we estimate that e-bike rebate recipients also reduced their weekly travel costs by 12% after 1 year of ownership, and had a net increase to their physical activity during travel by 14%. In open-text responses, mode shift and utility stood out as important benefits of e-bike access to study participants; they also articulated the value of enjoyment and improvements to mental and physical health. Conversely, participants expressed concerns about theft (especially in urban areas and for people of colour) and poor riding facilities (especially for seniors). The benefits of e-bike adoption were generally consistent across demographic groups, but seniors, people with physical limitations, people with limited income, and rural residents benefitted more than others. Further consideration should be given to facilitating e-bike use by other structurally marginalized groups, particularly women and non-binary people, people of colour, people without post-secondary education, and low-confidence cyclists.
September 27, 2026 at 5:50 PM
lanrickbennett.bsky.social
#IdeasAtWork

“…from last night's Critical Mass ride is a stark illustration of why more cycling infrastructure reduces congestion, not increases it. On the uphill section visible in the photo, there are about 30 cars in the same space roughly 160 bikes.” - Brian Tao

h/t @xkcd.com
Image of Critical Mass taking over street space Brian Tao ... X 1h • J This photo and many others from last night's Critical Mass ride is a stark illustration of why more cycling infrastructure reduces congestion, not increases it. On the uphill section visible in the photo, there are about 30 cars in the same space as roughly 160 bikes. Even assuming an average of 1.1 people per car, that's still roughly a 5x greater density achieved by bikes. Both modes of transportation were travelling at roughly the same speed and taking up the same amount of room in this photo, so the difference is down to the traffic count per unit time. Major arterials like Bloor St can handle about 20,000 cars per day, peaking at 1000-1500 cars per hour of freeflowing traffic. The same amount of road space can accommodate over 10,000 bikes per hour, again while maintaining freeflowing traffic. Congestion occurs when traffic demand exceeds traffic supply. Adding more lanes increases supply, but then induced demand inevitably also rises to meet the available supply, and we're back to square one. There are two other approaches to solving this problem: decrease demand, or make the supply more efficient. Good bike (and transit!) infrastructure can do both. They offer more viable alternatives for people wanting to travel around the city, instead of pouring money into catering to the least efficient mode of transportation. It also repurposes the same land use with greater efficiency. Imagine that we have, say, 30 meters between facing buildings on opposite sides of the road along Bloor St W. 15% of that is taken up by each sidewalk, 15% by two bike lanes, and the remaining 70% is made up of two rows of parking spots, two traffic lanes in either direction, and a shared turning lane. To me, any street classified as a minor or major arterial road by the City of Toronto should _not_ have any parking on it. Why dedicate 20% of your roadway to something that moves exactly O people per hour? Eliminate those, and replace them with transit priority lanes while leaving bike lanes and sidewalks intact. There are still at least three traffic lanes available, but the capacity of the exact same stretch of road has now increased by 50-100%. Bloor St would thus be usable by all modes of transport: on foot, by bike, in cars, surface transit, and subway. It is the logical choice, but for many who grew up in our heavily car-centric society, they can only ever envision driving anywhere and everywhere. ROAD SPACE COMPARISON by XKCD
September 26, 2026 at 8:04 PM
lanrickbennett.bsky.social
#IdeasAtWork

Zooming into #TorontoDanforth the day after World Carfree Day(s) We’ve got multiple schools that could benefit from a #BikeBus

#BikeTO if you’ve spoken w/ candidates about flexing their #PoliticalWill to bring a #BikeBus to your local school let me know

h/t @coachbalto.bsky.social
September 23, 2026 at 11:09 AM
lanrickbennett.bsky.social
#IdeasAtWork

18 candidates. One ward. Four years.

Toronto-Danforth residents are about to hear a lot of promises about what comes next.

So I asked people from across my ward: What should the next councillor be prepared to address over that same period?

Click www.torontodanforth.org 1/3

#TOPoli
Image of a Library "Community is Forever"
September 21, 2026 at 3:16 PM