Uncommon Insight
critical research + intelligence unit
About Us
Established in 1994 we focus on innovative public/social engagement, research and creative visioning projects. Or team includes artists, designers, filmmakers, researchers as well as experienced event facilitators and project managers. Collaboration and co-discovery are at the core of our practice and ethos – we have built a strong track record of partnerships and collaborations across sectors (government, telecoms, business, academia, cultural industries and third sector) as well as initiating and managing innovative transdisciplinary projects with multiple partners.
We have developed expertise in facilitating creative innovation, social and cultural research, public engagement, new technologies, media and communications – providing services for public institutions, government departments and private companies.
How We Work
We work in collaboration with clients and partners to define problems, explore solutions and implement change. We have developed a number of tools and techniques that are particularly effective in engaging diverse groups in creative visioning and innovative thinking. Working in collaboration with clients and partners we bring these tools and methodologies into the creative mix – adapting them to the specific contexts and situations. We aim to deliver sustainable outcomes, and include knowledge and skills transfer to the client as part of the package.
Proboscis acts a bridge between organisations, communities and disciplines that don’t usually work together and we can implement trusted, pre-competitive environments for wider collaborations between corporations, academia and public sector bodies, as well as grassroots communities.
Beyond the Horizon – Why consult with artists?
It takes a leap of imagination to perceive beyond the horizon of our everyday lives – which artists excel at. By reimagining the tools of today we are able to adopt and adapt them for uses they weren’t intended for : pushing the boundaries of the possible and the plausible to demonstrate whole new ways of thinking, being and doing. We are experts at bricolage, invention and innovation : anticipating the needs of the future by hacking the present; accessing those places where rational thought alone won’t take you.
Hire Us
We offer a range of services to public and private clients – from the design and facilitation of creative workshops to transdisciplinary research consultancy.
Contact Giles Lane for further details: insight(at)proboscis.org.uk or +44 (0)7711 069 569.
Partners have included:
Orange, Hewlett-Packard Research Labs, France Telecom R&D UK, Ordnance Survey, London School of Economics, Royal College of Art, University of Nottingham, University of Southampton, Birkbeck College (University of London), Queen Mary University of London, University of Waterloo (Canada). For a full list see our page on investors, sponsors and partners.
Clients have included:
UK Govt Ministry of Justice, Birmingham City Council, British Council, Crafts Council, Hertfordshire County Council, Peterborough City Council, University of Cambridge, University of Cardiff, Manchester Beacon Project, Royal Holloway University of London, Science Museum London, Arts Development East Cambridgeshire, Institute of Public Policy Research and IDEO London. For a full list see our previous clients page.
