Laura and Lauren have decided to conduct a research project about friends. It all came about when they realised that neither are very good at making friends and they would both quite like to be better at it.

So, they will explore different areas of research to learn how to become a better friend and hopefully make a few more along the way. The main focus will be on how social media has affected the way friendships are viewed, made and sustained. Looking at:

•  befriending friends-of-friends - understanding the complexity of social networks
•  trying to naturally meet new people through hobbies or going out - exploring social environments
•  reconnecting with old friends - what makes people drift apart from one another and can friendships be remade

The aim of this project is to understand the workings of friendship, what people perceive as real friendship and in general, how to make friends and keep them. 

(Basically they just want to be more popular)

Chosen as Critics Pick on Recreative by Skye Sherwin, Guardian Arts writer - November 2011.