About the study
Where making meets emerging technology.
This study explores how emerging technologies are changing the way Makers create — both as individuals and as communities. Makers have always worked at the edge of new tools, and technologies like chatbots and AI agents are the latest to enter the workshop. We want to understand what that means for your creative practice, your skills, and the communities you’re part of.
We’re interested in the full range of experiences. Whether you’ve folded these tools into your process, kept them at arm’s length, or feel somewhere in between, your perspective matters to this research.
What’s involved
What participation looks like.
The interview
A 60-minute, one-on-one conversation over Zoom, where we’ll talk about how emerging technologies are affecting your own creative work and the Maker communities you belong to. It’s semi-structured — a loose guide that mostly goes where your experience takes it.
The log — optional
You may be invited to share a log of an interaction with an emerging technology — a chat log or session log from a project. This is entirely up to you. Share as much or as little as you like, or none at all, with no effect on your participation. These logs help us understand the role technology plays in creative work.
Your rights
Taking part is voluntary. You can decline any question and withdraw at any time, up until April 30, 2027, without giving a reason and without any consequence.
The research team
Who we are.
Dr. David Williams
Principal Investigator
Dr. Williams’s research activity primarily revolves around retail, digital marketing, and social media.
Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan →Dr. Adam Slobodzian
Sub-Investigator
Dr. Slobodzian’s research focuses on Consumer Culture Theory (CCT), which explores the dynamic interplay between consumers, society, and the marketplace.
Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan →Michael Klein
Student Investigator
Michael is a graduate student in the MSc in Management program at the Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan. He is an active Maker and multi-disciplinary creative.
Get involved
Volunteer for the study.
Interested in taking part? Open the short form below and Michael will follow up by email with the details.
We’ll only use this information to contact you about the study. It’s stored securely and kept separate from any interview data. See our privacy statement for more details.
Questions first?
Have a question before you volunteer?
Send a message and Michael will get back to you.
Privacy statement
What this site does with your information.
This website is part of a University of Saskatchewan research study on how emerging technologies are impacting the creative practices of Makers. This statement explains what information the site collects, how it is handled, and your choices.
What this site collects
This website is promotional only. The site itself does not collect or store any information about you. It does not use analytics, cookies, or any other tracking technologies, and it does not log your IP address or browsing activity. The only way information is collected is if you choose to fill out one of the forms on this site: the volunteer form or the contact form. Both forms are Microsoft Forms provided through the University of Saskatchewan’s Microsoft 365 environment.
What the forms collect, and why
If you complete the volunteer form, we collect your name, your email address, and preferred pronouns. We use this only to contact you about the study and to arrange an interview. If you complete the contact form, we collect your name, email address, and your question, so that we can reply to you. We only ask for what we need — you are never required to provide more than you’re comfortable sharing.
Where your information goes, and who can see it
Responses to both forms are sent over an encrypted connection and stored within the research team’s secure University of Saskatchewan OneDrive. Only the research team has access. Your contact information is kept separate from any interview data and is never connected to your interview responses.
How long it is kept
Contact information collected through these forms is retained only as long as needed for recruitment and follow-up, and is then deleted. If you take part in the study, the handling and retention of your interview data is described in full in the consent information you will receive before your interview.
Your choices
Filling out a form is entirely voluntary, and you can choose not to. If you have submitted your information and would like it removed, or if you have any questions about how your information is handled, you can contact the research team at any time and we will delete it.