Innovation Showcase 2024

This page is being updated March 2025

Innovation Showcase | Gravesend Takeover

On Wednesday, 20th November 2024, the Innovation Showcase transformed Gravesend town centre into a hub of innovation, technology, creativity and knowledge exchange. 

From emerging AI breakthroughs to sonic soundscapes with lasers, the event invited academics, artists, entrepreneurs, and the public to explore how the future is being shaped today.

Despite an overnight Arctic blast that left temperatures below freezing in the morning, the sun broke through, and by midday, the town was alive with discussions, performances, and hands-on demonstrations. The BBC arrived in a radio car to broadcast live interviews on Breakfast shows, which brought national coverage. With a packed schedule of free events, hosted in shops, churches, and unexpected locations, the Innovation Showcase offered an unparalleled opportunity to engage with leading experts from major universities, innovative businesses, and pioneering creative industries.

🔹 29 Events | 50 Volunteers | BBC Coverage | Participants from across the UK

💡 From hands-on AI workshops and robotics demonstrations to immersive sound experiences and discussions on digital futures, the Innovation Showcase was a day of discovery, collaboration, and inspiration.

Extensive Media Coverage

The Innovation Showcase 2024 attracted widespread media attention, bringing Gravesend into the national spotlight.

Coverage spanned across multiple platforms, with extensive features across the BBC, including live radio interviews, online articles, and discussions on emerging technology, creativity, and the impact of the new emerging economy is having on local communities.

The BBC’s coverage kicked off with a live morning radio interview with Fourth Portal founder, John McKiernan, discussing the vision behind the Innovation Showcase and the opportunities it presented for Gravesend and beyond. Throughout the day, the event was featured in BBC articles and local news bulletins, highlighting the cutting-edge demonstrations, expert-led discussions, and the town’s engagement with technological innovation.

Beyond the BBC, the press release was widely circulated, generating significant interest across digital and print media, reaching hundreds of thousands of people who may not have previously been familiar with Gravesend. Social media engagement surged as attendees, speakers, and media outlets shared real-time updates, photos, and reflections, further expanding the event’s reach.

The level of media exposure not only shone a light on the event itself but also reinforced Gravesend’s potential as a hub for knowledge exchange, entrepreneurship, and cultural innovation.

Event Locations

The Innovation Showcase took place all across the North Kent town of Gravesend town centre, bringing cutting-edge ideas into everyday spaces and turning the town into a dynamic space for learning, experimentation, and discussion.

📍 Fixed Locations

• St. George's Church Hall and Community Centre

• St. George's Church

• The Mug and Meeple

• Julius Caesar Italian Restaurant

• Gravesend Model Centre

• Allsorts Antiques

• The Kent Cocktail Bar & Lounge

• Pender Pharmacy

• Gravesend Library

• Munns of Gravesend

• RC Bathrooms

• Compass Alehouse

• House of Leyla

• The Grand

• Reliance Fish Restaurant - Gravesend

• Gino’s Neapolitan

• Hatch Market

• St. George's Arts Centre

Some of the Gravesend businesses host Innovation Showcase

The venues played an important role, hosting talks, workshops, performances, and hands-on demonstrations that invited the public to engage with innovation in familiar settings and for residents to see their town in a new light.

Starting and Maintaining a Business in Gravesend

📍 Gravesend Library | 10:00

The Fourth Portal Innovation Showcase began with an essential discussion on the realities of running a business in Gravesend. Local business owners from Compass Ale House, Allsorts Antiques, Pender Pharmacy, and others came together to share insights into the challenges and opportunities of operating in a changing economic landscape.

Chaired by Alessandro Ferrazza (University of Sunderland in London), the session explored the current state of town centre businesses, the impact of technological disruptions, and the strategies needed to adapt and thrive in the evolving economy.

With participation from both established entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners, the discussion set the tone for the day—highlighting the importance of community collaboration, resilience, and innovation in shaping the future of Gravesend’s economy.

Event Highlights & Summaries Performance

🎭 The Laserium | St George's Church Hall | 19:00 The 800-laser immersive The Laserium returned to Gravesend following the sold-out gigs at the Fourth Portal earlier in the year. Set to the pulsating music of Funki Porcini, transforming sound into light in a spectacular display. Reviews below.

🎭 The Bell Agency | House of Leyla | 15:00 & 17:00 A slow-motion sound world of unfolding sound and performance, bringing together a gradual audience realisation, led by drummer Charles Hayward.

🎭 Drum Machine | The Grand | 18:00 Renowned drummer Charles Hayward explored how drum machines differ from human drumming through an historic lens, inviting the audience to join in short drumming sessions.

🎭 Doraraathara | The Grand | 18:00 An immersive spoken word performance blending generative art, projection, sound and AI technology, followed by a Q&A with creators Jennifer Bell and Kristian Jones from Nottingham Trent University.

🎭 Large Language | The Grand | 16:00 Gravesend’s spoken word community engaged the public in a discussion on the interplay between poetry and AI, encouraging participation in remixing into a whole new work by a live A.I., led by Zack Davies and Anthony Hart.

🎭 Art of VFX 1896-2024 | The Grand | 16:15 An exploration of the tools and techniques used in visual effects over a century of cinema, led by VFX Supervisor, Val Wardlaw.

Demonstrations & Interactive Installations

🤖 Meet Mechanismo - Engaging and Playful Robots | Multiple locations | 11:00 The Mechanismo team showcased their expressive, four-wheel-drive Crawly Bots equipped with advanced sensing technology, presented by Andy Payne and Nicky Cure. Listen to Andy speaking to the BBC about the Crawly Bots.

🖼 Green Yonder - Sustainable Design Futures | St George's Church Hall | 10:00 Attendees interacted with playful and accessible devices designed to raise awareness of sustainability challenges, including those posed by AI and the Internet of Things, led by Michael Stead and Violet Owen from the University of Lancaster | Listen to Michael and Violet speaking to the BBC.

🎹 Mini Jam with Tiny Synths | Various pop-up locations | 11:00 Producer and electronic artist Felix X Tigersonic guided participants through interactive workshops exploring the world of tiny synthesisers.

📸 Polaroid Workshop | Fourth Portal | Saturday, 16 November 2024 | 11:00 Participants used Instax ‘Polaroid’ cameras to experiment with photographing urban environments, led by photographer, Paul Halliday, formally of Goldsmiths, University of London.

🎨 Polaroid Exhibition | Gravesend Library | 11:00 An exhibition displaying photos from the Innovation Showcase Polaroid Workshop, displaying images captured in urban spaces around Gravesend, led by photographer, Paul Halliday, formally of Goldsmiths, University of London.

🕹 Innovation in Gaming | St George's Church | 11:30 Visitors explored vintage gaming consoles, 3D modelling, and AI innovations in game design, hosted by Mark Gladwell, with Sam, Daniel and James O'Malley.

🕹 Game Changing AI Future | St George's Church | 16:00 Journalist James O’Malley examined how gaming has shaped modern AI technology.

Discussions & Talks

💬 Your Opinion on AI | Julius Caesar Italian Restaurant | 11:00 An interactive discussion on AI, gathering public perspectives on inclusion, ethics, and its future direction, led by Dr Glenn McGarry from the University of Nottingham.

💡 New School Futures | Gravesend Library | 12:00 Presentation introducing the New School Futures project, envisioning a community-driven, affordable education model. By Professor Emeritus John Wood, Goldsmiths, University of London,

💼 Starting and Maintaining a Business in Gravesend | Gravesend Library | 10:00 A panel discussion exploring the challenges and opportunities of running a business in Gravesend, featuring insights from local business owners, including Compass Ale House, Allsorts Antiques, and Penders Pharmacy. Chaired by Alessandro Ferrazza (University of Sunderland in London), the session examined how small businesses can adapt to technological disruptions and navigate the evolving economic landscape.

🛠 How to do VFX | The Grand | 19:00 A beginner-friendly talk introducing the tools and techniques of visual effects (VFX) by VFX Supervisor, Val Wardlaw.

🗿 AI, Archaeology, Avatars and Pocahontas | St George's Church | 13:15 A discussion on who writes history, exploring how AI and avatars shape narratives of historical figures. PhD candidate and Barrister, Favour Borokini, University of Nottingham and MPhil and PhD candidate Mercedes Baptiste-Halliday, University of Oxford.

⚖️ AI Responsibility | St George's Church | 14:00 Professor David Townend led a discussion on AI’s challenges and opportunities for the legal profession. Professor David Townend, Professor of Health and Life Sciences Law and is Associate Dean for Research and Innovation in the City Law School, along with Professor and Barrister, Mark Engelman.

⚖️ AI Responsibility Panel Discussion | St George's Church | 14:30 Professor David Townend led a panel discussion with questions on AI’s challenges and opportunities for the legal profession. Professor David Townend, Professor of Health and Life Sciences Law and is Associate Dean for Research and Innovation in the City Law School, along with Professor and Barrister, Mark Engelman, Phd candidate and Barrister, Favour Borokini, University of Nottingham and MPhil and PhD candidate Mercedes Baptiste-Halliday, University of Oxford.

🌍 Reclaiming Wisdom | Gravesend Library | 13:00 Professor John Wood advocated for a holistic shift in education, addressing biodiversity loss and the climate crisis. Led by Professor Emeritus John Wood, Goldsmiths, University of London

🔎 Wicked Avatar Problems | St George's Church | 12:30 An exploration of multiculturality in visual representation and the ethical dilemmas of AI-generated imagery. Presentation by PhD candidate and Barrister, Favour Borokini, University of Nottingham

⚙️ Fair AI Futures? | Julius Caesar Italian Restaurant | 10:30 An interactive discussion with academics from the University of Nottingham, examining what a fair AI future could look like. Led by Dr Alan Chamberlain, listen to Alan speaking to the BBC.

🏭 Traditional Apprenticeships in the Digital Age | Gravesend Library | 14:00A look at how traditional industries are adapting to modern apprenticeships and digital transformation. Discussion between former Head of Papermaking, Empire Paper Mills, Greenhithe, Anthony Thorley and Founder of Artisan Print Services, Northfleet, Deke Demarko.

Hands-On Activities & Local Business Engagement

🍺 Debugging Craft Beer Myths | The Compass Alehouse | 12:00, 14:00 & 15:00 A lively beer tasting session uncovering the history, innovation, and myths of the craft beer industry. Hosted by Compass Co-Founder John.

💊 NHS Pharmacy First Service | Pender Pharmacy | 12:30 Pharmacist Steven Kane explained the expansion of healthcare access through NHS Pharmacy First. Hosted by Pender Pharmacy Owner, Steven Kane

🎨 Shaping Processes | Munns of Gravesend | 13:30 Artists Naomi Boyle and Dawn Cole explored how innovation is reshaping traditional artistic practices.

🛠 Laser Cutting | Mug and Meeple | 11:00 An introduction to laser cutting with Glenn and the Mug and Meeple team, demonstrating design and fabrication techniques. Led by Glenn

📖 Museum of Portable Sound | Multiple Locations | 11:15 & 16:00An interactive digital museum housed on an iPhone, exploring the acoustic environments of cities worldwide.

🎓 Enhancing Student Engagement | Gravesend Library | 10:00 An exploration of educational technology’s role in remote learning following the Covid-19 pandemic. Presentation by PhD Candidate, Alessandro Ferrazza, University of Sunderland in London.

Innovation in Gaming installation | Photos: Jonathan Pigram

Nodevember Throughout November 2024

Despite the severe cold weather and persistent rain in November, the Nodevember initiative at the Fourth Portal provided an opportunity to explore the complexities of coding and its value in different contexts. Nodevember is a yearly challenge held throughout November, encouraging participants to improve and showcase their procedural coding skills. Each year, a list of prompts is released to inspire creativity and technical development. At the Fourth Portal, we ran Nodevember sessions across alternative nights throughout November 2024, creating a space for discussion and experimentation. Discussions during the event examined whether coding should be widely taught and the vast differences between various forms of coding. For example, hard coding in engineering requires deep technical knowledge and precision, whereas coding for a website in HTML is a more structured, accessible skill suited to different needs. The debate highlighted that coding is not a single discipline but a broad spectrum of skills applied in diverse ways. While the challenging weather and the cold, damp venue limited participation, the experience offered important lessons for future events, particularly in creating a more conducive environment for engagement.

Gravesend’s Independent Food Vendors

Gravesend's independent food vendors, brought into the Innovation Showcase through the dedicated efforts of local volunteer James Howard, added a vibrant culinary dimension to the event. Developing his career in marketing and communications, James engaged vendors across the town, ensuring food was a vital part of the programme and creating an inclusive atmosphere. With food vouchers provided by the event, speakers, visitors, and volunteers could sample diverse cuisines, fostering a sense of community and encouraging participants to explore and learn more about Gravesend, its diversity, and its friendliness.

Participating vendors included Gino’s Neapolitan, Julius Caesars, Gravesend Burger Kiosk, The Grizzly, Laszlo Hungarian Kitchen, Macho Nachos, Mrs Earlyns, Reliance Fish Bar, Sie’s Pies, Tay Mart, Tropical Cafe, and Vegan Antics, each offering a unique taste of the town’s rich and varied food culture.

IMPACT, REFLECTION AND DATA

A Day of Discovery & Exchange.

Despite the freezing morning, the Innovation Showcase 2024 exceeded expectations, with a gradual increase in attendance throughout the day. The event brought together forward-thinking businesses, researchers, and local creatives, sparking conversations on technology, culture, and education.

Funded by Gravesham Borough Council allocation of UKSPF funding from the UK Government, the Innovation Showcase offered an alternative way of introducing the fast moving new economy to local communities.

Participant Reflection

Danny and Sam, participants in the Innovation in Gaming installation, share their reflections on their experience at the Fourth Portal Innovation Showcase 2024. Initially hesitant to volunteer, they quickly found themselves immersed in the day’s events, and as this 2-minute video captures how multi-site intervention like these unfold.

🔗 Watch the video & read more: https://youtu.be/ycqZDkYTngY

Sharing Innovation Showcase Data And Information

Using the data collected during the November 2024 Innovation Showcase, the Fourth Portal is developing a beta version of a Linked Data Application designed to integrate all aspects of future Innovation Showcases and other events. This Fourth Portal app consolidates information on sessions, locations, and speakers, using open-source software that will offer users and event participants a comprehensive and interactive guide to everything happening at the event.

Developing A Fourth Portal Linked Data App

The development of this linked data tool is built on established open-source frameworks that enable structured and interconnected data sharing across the web. Unlike traditional databases, linked data follows principles set by Tim Berners-Lee’s Semantic Web, ensuring that information is not only accessible but also machine-readable and contextually meaningful. By leveraging RDF (Resource Description Framework), SPARQL (a query language for linked data), and ontologies, the app enables event organisers and participants to discover and navigate content dynamically.

Beyond its immediate utility for the showcase, the app will be used as a foundational tool for future events and as an educational resource, helping individuals explore the engineering behind structured data, interoperability, and the power of decentralised information systems. Through this initiative, the Fourth Portal is demonstrating the potential of linked data as a critical technology for knowledge-sharing and digital innovation. Read more here: https://www.fourthportal.com/post/developing-linked-data-app