Chapter 12: Makerspaces as an Epistemic Community

The maker movement is linked to the creative motivation of communities to share their knowledge through hands-on, creative experiences. As higher education strives to adopt updated policies and practices for the delivery of education, many are exploring the maker movement. This ethnographic study of a grassroots community makerspace, located in Binghamton, NY, is used as a base for understanding why people seek out these spaces. By understanding the role that epistemic communities play within the creative environments of makerspaces, educators can unpack the most valuable components of a makerspace. These lessons can shape the way educators think about the educational landscape and how to deliver and share knowledge. The maker’s active approach to learning provides a logical connection to academia. These spaces, however, cannot properly function without their epistemic community. This chapter explores the value of knowledgeable, creative people that dedicate their time to makerspaces and examines how similar spaces are formed within academia. Makerspaces have influenced the educational culture with the tools and services they provide, but it should be noted, a makerspace is not complete without a dedicated epistemic community willing to share their expertise and learn from others.