IN-PERSON Lisbon Livable Cities. Section B
Abstract
Collaborations between academics and non-academic partners have been celebrated as a promising approach for achieving knowledge co-production. This has been particularly the case in counter-mapping and social cartography literature, which have been calling for more genuine involvement from non-academic actors in generating knowledge and maps. In response to these recent calls, this paper reflects on a unique methodological framework developed for co-producing digital heritage maps with local communities and groups. Here, we present a mapping process that intersects academic research with a non-academic group initiative. This project is part of the development of a town observatory for Loughborough in the United Kingdom. Loughborough Stories is a collection of “StoryMaps” illustrating various themed narratives linked to the town’s history. This paper aims to present the process and progress of The Medieval Loughborough StoryMap, one mapping initiative that originated from collaborations between academics at Loughborough University and the Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer Group (LLLSVG). The collaborative mapping efforts incorporated narratives, historical facts and local lived experiences. This collaborative process with the LLLSVG has also become essential to reflect on how this co-production process can serve as inspiration or even be replicated in other communities, localities and researchers. Therefore, this paper aims to demonstrate how The Medieval Loughborough StoryMap employed a distinctive methodological framework and generate a protocol that can encapsulate the necessary steps to producing new story maps through collaborative practice. This protocol can benefit other community groups seeking greater autonomy in sharing their stories.
Cristina A. G. Kiminami is a Research Associate in Data Visualisation for Urban Studies at Loughborough University. She holds a PhD from King’s College London in the Department of Digital Humanities. Her PhD research focused on spatial humanities, digital mediation relations, and people’s perception of urban surroundings. Her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Architecture and Urbanism from the University of São Paulo, Brazil, IAU USP.
Aline Fernandes Barata works as a Research Associate in Urban and Regional Studies at Loughborough University. She has a PhD in Planning from Oxford Brookes University, master’s in Urbanism from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and bachelor’s in Architecture and Urbanism from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora. Aline’s research and teaching interests include participatory and community-led practices in architecture and urbanism, Southern Urbanism, mobility justice, and critical approaches to mapping and heritage. Previously, she worked as an Associate Lecturer and Research Associate at Oxford Brookes University, and as a Planning Assistant and Architect in Brazil.
Robert Harland is a Reader in Urban Graphic Heritage at Loughborough University. His research examines urban heritage through the lens of graphic design in collaboration with partners such as the Nelson Mandela Foundation, UNESCO-UK, and UNESCO Creative Cities, collaborating across the UK, Brazil, China, South Africa, and Australia. He co-leads The Impact Hub and co-founded the TOWN Observatory in 2025. Recently, he was invited to join Loughborough’s Storytelling Academy, following his work on the Named after Nelson project, which explored graphic heritage and placemaking. In 2024, his work was recognised with a Vice-Chancellor’s Award for International Partnerships.
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Wednesday 9th July, 2025