Technological Innovations in Costume Practice - Data Management Plan

Technological Innovations in Costume Practice (TICP) is a research justice project that investigates the integration of Industry 4.0 technological innovations with the aim of facilitating their adoption and application in the work of costumers (costume makers, designers and other practitioners involved in the creation of performance costumes). This will elevate the field of costume production and strengthen the future employability of professional costumers. The central research question driving the project is: As costume practitioners implement new manufacturing technologies in their workflow, what are the structural and attitudinal factors that constrain and facilitate their adoption? The research applies theories about sociotechnical change, specifically domestication theory and diffusion of innovation theories. The project will develop a model of and tools for technological adoption for costume that responds to the very specific context of the live performance industry (i.e. those working in costume realization for theatre, opera, dance, circus, and related areas of the performing arts). Such outcomes will enable practitioners to be more deliberate, effective and empowered when engaging with new manufacturing technologies. To deliver these outcomes, this qualitative research project has two major data collection stages and uses three methods of data collection: practitioner interviews, digital ethnography and co-design workshops. This data management plan lays out the research design, focusing on the data collection, processing and analysis plans. This project is funded by the European Union via a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship.