ISSP was implemented as a multiple case study, grounded on qualitative and inductive empirical research traditions. Three different cases of collaborative commons were studied by relying on ethnographic observations and in-depth interviews: (1) a Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) video game project, as a case of digital commons; (2) a volunteer-based European NGO for the promotion of FOSS and digital rights, as a case of knowledge commons; and (3) a community-led hacker space located in northern Europe, as a case of urban commons. Approximately six weeks of ethnographic observations were conducted for each case; and 34 semi-structured interviews were conducted with commoners who engaged with one of these contexts for eight or more years. In particular, the interviews aimed at understanding (i) commoners’ interactions with other commoners and the infrastructures for commoning; (ii) the boundary work existing between the commitment to commoning and other spheres of commoners’ lives; and (iii) commoners’ considerations on the challenges of sustaining a long-term involvement in commoning. For the analysis, the research used an inductive approach inspired by constructivist grounded theory, which involved a series of iterative coding steps (or labelling) of interview data.
Two publications in major international peer reviewed venues have been achieved during the project targeting design principles and considerations for commons-oriented platforms and infrastructures. Three other publications are expected to be published in the 12 months after the end of the project. These will include analysis of the subjective dimension of engaging in commoning and the challenges of maintaining such engagement over time. From the point of view of public engagement, the action has worked at different levels, such as collaborating in creating interdisciplinary networks of academics, practitioners and civil society, and creating opportunities for public debate on the issue. In particular, a full day final event was organized in the form of open seminar, or mini conference, with the purpose of disseminating to general audience the insights of this research. Furthermore, one press release was published to announce the beginning of the project, and the use of a simple project website with simple information about the developments of the project was used throughout the duration of the project.
