DiNG February meetup @University of Nottingham - Jubilee Campus

We are meeting at:
The Ingenuity Centre (Room A15)
University of Nottingham - Jubilee Campus
Triumph Rd, Lenton,
Nottingham.
NG7 2TU

Huge thanks to UNIP (University of Nottingham Innovation Park) for providing venue space for our February event!

What is DiNG?
Design and Innovation Nottingham is :

• a regular, in person meetup for people interested in the design and development of products and services
• an evening of practical talks and discussions about design, research and innovation
• an informal and inclusive space to learn and discuss
• a free event with free food!

The aim of DiNG is to provide an opportunity for people who share our curiosity for design and innovation to meet and share knowledge and experiences. Our hope is that people will have an enjoyable time learning and supporting each other and leave with at least one practical idea they can apply to their work.

Who is it for?
Anyone interested in design and innovation is welcome, from user researchers, UX designers and product managers to startups and entrepreneurs.

What happens?
The evening will run something like this:
6.30 - sign in and enjoy a free drink
7.00 - first talk
Enjoy a slice of free pizza while you chat with other attendees.
8.00 - second talk
9.00-9.30 - head home or hang around and carry on discussions over drinks.

Speakers and talks
Matt Ballantine is a sociologist and Engagement Manager at Equal Experts, with leadership experience at the BBC and Microsoft. In March 2026 his first book written with friend Nick Drage, "Random: How to thrive in an uncertain world", will be published by Security Blend Books.

Random the Book: A Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Presentation
What if the best decisions aren't made by planning, but by embracing chance? Join Matt Ballantine for an interactive exploration of how randomness shapes our world – and why we're so bad at understanding it. Drawing from his new book, Matt reveals four fundamental patterns: we don't understand randomness, we're afraid to use it, we take personal credit when it works in our favour, and we're missing huge opportunities by avoiding it.
But here's the twist: the presentation itself is random. At each decision point, an audience member flips a coin or rolls a die, determining whether we explore ancient democracy, gambling psychology, biological immunity, or creative innovation. No two presentations are ever the same. Following the talk, small groups will use pages from the book to spark discussions about where randomness already operates in your work – and where you might use it more intentionally. Expect the unexpected.

Getting there
The Ingenuity Centre is accessed from Triumph Road on the Uni of Nottingham Jubilee Campus.
If you are arriving by car from the Derby Road side, enter the Jubilee campus on Triumph Road and head towards the red 'whisk' tower. After the Sir Colin Campbell Building turn right into the car park. The Ingenuity Centre is the round building beyond the car park. We are advised that visitor parking is free of charge after 4.30pm.
If you are arriving by bus from the Derby Road side, alight the bus at one of the stops near the Triumph Road entrance and walk along Triumph Road towards the red 'whisk' tower. At the Sir Colin Campbell Building turn right and follow the path towards the Round Building - the Ingenuity Centre. The Ingenuity Centre is a 5-10 minute walk from bus stops on Derby Road.