What I learned from the Living Data Conference

I had the pleasure of attending the first Living Data Conference at Delft University—a truly empowering experience! I met brilliant researchers working at the intersection of data and the human-centered built environment, and I’m grateful to Angela Rout for organizing such a dynamic and thought-provoking event.

One standout moment was Professor Dietmar Offenhuber's keynote, “From capta to acta: towards enactive data practices.” His insights completely reshaped my understanding: data isn’t just passive information waiting to be analyzed—it’s an active, living part of our reality with the power to drive meaningful change. We don’t always need complex formulas; sometimes, simply being aware of the data around us opens the door to transformative decisions.

Throughout the conference, I was inspired by so many insightful talks:

• Miriah Meyer explored how interactive data use can boost both interest and literacy. Her reference to projects like the Dear Data Project (https://www.dear-data.com/theproject) highlighted how personalizing data can prompt deep reflection on our daily experiences and environments.

• Lorien Nesbitt from the University of British Columbia shared compelling research on capturing occupants’ experiences of built environments. Gathering this feedback fosters a heightened awareness of how people perceive their surroundings—valuable insights that directly inform urban planning and design decisions.

• Professor Bryan Boyer from the University of Michigan emphasized how digital products are now an integral part of our relationship with the built environment. His example of the People Party App (https://www.peopleparty.app/) shows how real-time demographic data can bring human context into architectural visualizations, encouraging more inclusive design processes.

• Simone C Niquille raised critical questions about the oversimplifications in the 3D datasets we use for interior design and modeling, reminding us of the importance of nuance and complexity in our digital tools.

• Finally, Professor Sarah Williams shared her powerful work conducting field studies and empowering communities with their own data. Her reflections on ethical data practices and her book "Data Action" left a lasting impression on how we, as researchers and practitioners, can engage responsibly with local knowledge.

It’s so exciting to see data not just as numbers on a screen, but as a tool for thoughtful reflection, community empowerment, and transformative change.

This emerging field is full of potential, and I’m already looking forward to the next Living Data Conference in 2025!
More details: www.livingdatastudies.com/conference-2025