The Restart Project Podcast

Mark Phillips tells us about his work photographing the practice, people and communities involved in repair culture - from Cuba to our very own Restart Parties. First, we discuss some tech news. Two "yay-boo" stories from Apple: recycled aluminium in computers and its pilot programme for repair of some 'vintage' devices. Both seem like good news at the outset, but are undermined by Apple's attempt...

We interview independent professional repairer Rico Cerva, to celebrate the crucial contribution that repair businesses make to extend the life of all the gadgets we use. We talk about the personal stories behind people’s devices, the barriers to repair caused by manufacturers and the future of repair as a profession. On Saturday 20 October we celebrated Repair Day worldwide, with over 150 events...

Ugo and Restart volunteer Ben announce upcoming International #RepairDay and comment on recent issues related to the Right to Repair movement in the United States and Europe. In this show, we share our excitement for upcoming International Repair Day , which takes place on Saturday 20 October. This will be a day to celebrate repair worldwide, and there are many ways to get involved whether you are...

We interview researcher Jessika Luth Richter from Lund University. The topic: the ‘critical’ materials that are found in our electronics – what makes materials ‘critical’, their global supplies, their mining, and how little we recycle them. We also discuss the demand of some of these materials for renewable energy. First, Jessika walks us through some of the critical...

Ugo interviews Jon Dawes and Lauren Crilly from Repair Cafe Glasgow. As we are back on Restart Radio after our summer break, we start by discussing tech news from the last few weeks. Then we talk about the community repair movement and how it is spreading across Scotland and the UK. Consumer organisation Which? has called attention to laptop repair rip-offs happening in the UK. The study also show...

Our volunteers Dave, Panda and Andrew run the show, discussing the hype about the Internet of Things (IoT) and 'smart' homes. We talk about related issues of security when using these connected devices. First, Dave takes us through some tech news. We start citing some recent research into batteries that could be charged faster, and also Trump's support for the merger of US TV stations Sinclair and...

We interview Brazilian technologist and researcher Felipe Fonseca, who has long been on our radar screen. Dave and Janet discuss with Felipe the role of improvisation in problem-solving and repair, and we learn from Brazilian approaches to repurposing discarded technology. First, Felipe tells us about the origin of his project "MetaReciclagem", which started collecting discarded PCs and reviving t...

Ugo interviews Philip Le Riche, Restart volunteer and retired cybersecurity professional - about his passion for camera repair. We talk about the technological development of these very summertime devices, and the consequent changes in their repairability and product lifetime. First, we discuss some news. While many this week may be excited about discounts on Amazon Prime Day, we highlight the new...

As part of a summer tradition, Restart staff Janet, Isabel, Neil and Ellie have compiled a summer reading list. We talk about reads which have inspired us and how they relate to our work at Restart. This year we have a real mix of political and economic analysis, and some unique "explainer" books. First, we talk about the provocative Factfulness, by Hans Rosling. This book shows how many of us hav...

Isabel and Ugo interview Simon Werrett, Lecturer in Science and Technology Studies at University College London. We talk about his upcoming book "Thrifty Science", which discusses historical practices of repair and reuse. First, what is thrifty science? Simon proposes this concept as "an attitude to materials", a way of making use of things and making them last through practices like repair or reu...

In this week's episode, we interview Tim Cooper, professor of Sustainable Design and Consumption at Nottingham Trent University. We discuss the public's frustration about our throwaway culture, and the role of businesses and regulation in making our products last longer. First, we discuss Cooper's path into academia. Since the late 1970s up to 1994, he was very active in the Green Party, and stood...

In this week's episode, Ugo and Janet interview Nathan Proctor, Director of US PIRG's Right to Repair campaign. We talk about the origin and activity of this movement, and generally about our right to fix our devices. First, we discuss the story of Eric Lundgren, who attempted to distribute copies of Microsoft software allowing repairers and refurbishers to restore Windows installation in computer...

In this week's episode, Isabel and Ugo interview Lara Houston, a visiting researcher at Goldsmiths University. We talk about academic research on repair, and we also play some recordings from Kaja Ahnfelt, founder of Restarters Oslo, who conducted research at Restart Parties before she became a repair activist. First, we discuss some news. The Austrian city of Graz is funding commercial and commun...

In this week's episode, Ugo interviews Susanne Baker, Head of Environment & Compliance at techUK, the organisation representing the views of tech companies, including manufacturers. We discuss their position on the public’s growing interest in the right to repair and the future of product standards beyond Brexit. First, Ugo asks about techUK's views on product lifetimes. Susanne discusses how tech...

In this month's radio takeover, Restart volunteers Ben Skidmore and Dave Lukes talk about "repair on the edge": how to deal with unsual repairs when one lacks the necessary skills or tools. First, Ben and Dave introduce us to some tech news. We discuss the enforcement of GDPR with its ubiquitous pop-ups. Is it necessary for all companies to ask for your consent again? Are we giving consent when co...

Ellie and Dave interview Restart volunteer Alvin Hardy (call-sign G1BTF), who shares his life-long passion for amateur or so-called "ham" radio. We discuss the importance of radio as a pioneering mode of communication, and the value of the worldwide community that it helps bring together. First, Alvin tells us about his career as an engineer, and how he's been tinkering with radio since he was 15....

In this week's episode, Isabel Lopez and Dave Lukes talk about the materials we use to hack and fix. We will discuss the most basic tools and materials we can use for these tasks, from the usual tapes and glues to more sophisticated techniques and materials. First we discuss some news. Jessa Jones, a popular repairer based in the US, has had 24 aftermarket iPhone screens seized at US Customs. US C...

In this week's episode, Ugo and Isabel interview Tarek Loubani, a Palestinian-Canadian doctor who has created low-cost 3D-printed medical devices to help with the lack of supply in Gaza. We also discuss the importance of having repair parts available to keep all medical devices working for longer, and opportunities for 3D printing to boost independence and resilience when using these devices. Firs...

In this week's episode, Janet, Ugo and Dave Lukes discuss our personal data being collected and held elsewhere, focusing on the new EU regulation on data protection and its effect on consumer rights. We focus on 'connected devices', where increasing amounts of our personal data are collected and stored by companies. There are potentially wider, positive implications of the new rules in relation to...

In this month's Radio “takeover”, Restart volunteers Ben Skidmore, Dave Lukes and Steve Cook proclaim "It's MY Device!": they talk about our right to repair and mantain our gadgets, and about exciting fixing stories at repair events held in London for Earth Day. First, Dave introduces recent tech news, such as Lenovo preventing users from performing software updates on a recent smartphone, the acq...

Dave and Ugo interview Professor Ross Anderson, an expert on Security Engineering at Cambridge University, on the topic of software obsolescence. First, we discuss how devices connected to the Internet need to be constantly updated to remain secure. Anderson tells us about the approach of vendors to software: it is costly to maintain it and hence they only provide updates for the latest devices, e...

Ugo interviews Alasdair Davies, who has been working as a conservation technologist for over 10 years. Alasdair introduces us to his work on bringing affordable, customisable and repairable open hardware technology to people working on conservation projects. When he started working in the field, Alasdair noticed it was hard to get access to devices. The options were: either spent a lot of money on...

In this episode, Janet and Isabel interview Suw Charman-Anderson, founder of the Ada Lovelace Day (ALD), which annually supports and increases the visibility of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers. First, we discuss how ALD started and how it came to be such a huge initiative, with international events happening each year. We then ask Suw why she chose Ada Lovelace a...

In our monthly Radio "takeover", Restart volunteers own the show. This time, we have Ben Skidmore, Panda and Steve Cook discussing our relationship with phones. What makes us replace them and how can they last for longer? To start, they chat about the new Samsung Galaxy S9 release, which has some minor improvements - like a better camera - but no increase in relevant features: battery life, for in...

Janet and Dave interview Florence Okoye and Debs Durojaiye, two of the organisers of the Afrotech Fest, an exciting event which took place in London at the end of January. We talk about representation of black people of Caribbean and African heritage in tech and we discuss the meanings of Afrofuturism. First, we discuss their motivation to put on Afrotech Fest: the realisation that black people in...