Engage - Using Data About Research Clusters to Enhance Collaboration

This project explored different classifications of research and ideas for implementing these in University systems to facilitate publicity of research

Block-Based Development of Mobile Learning Experiences for the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things enables experts of given domains to create smart user experiences for interacting with the environment. However, development of such experiences requires strong programming skills, which are challenging to develop for non-technical users. This paper presents several extensions to the block-based programming language used in App Inventor to make the creation of mobile apps for smart learning experiences less challenging. Such apps are used to process and graphically represent data streams from sensors by applying map-reduce operations. A workshop with students without previous experience with Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile app programming was conducted to evaluate the propositions. As a result, students were able to create small IoT apps that ingest, process and visually represent data in a simpler form as using App Inventor's standard features. Besides, an experimental study was carried out in a mobile app development course with academics of diverse disciplines. Results showed it was faster and easier for novice programmers to develop the proposed app using new stream processing blocks.Spanish National Research Agency (AEI) - ERDF fund

Insomnia : the affordance of hybrid media in visualising a sleep disorder

The integration of visual and numerical abstraction in contemporary audio-visual communication has become increasingly prevalent. This increase reflects the evolution of computational machines from simple data processors. Computation and interface have augmented our senses and converged algorithmic logic with cultural techniques to form hybrid channels of communication. These channels are fluid and mutable, allowing creatives to explore and disseminate knowledge through iterative media practice. Insomnia is an auto-ethnographic case study that examines the affordance of merging Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) and node- based programming software (TouchDesigner), as a hybrid media system (McMullan, 2020). As a system, Insomnia compiles my archived brain activity data and processes it through a custom designed generative visualisation interface. Documenting and ‘processing’ a sleep disorder is filtered through key concepts of media archaeology, cultural techniques, and practice-led research allowing Insomnia to inform discussion of the affordance of hybrid media. Insomnia is presented as a virtual exhibition with a supporting exegesis. The methodology and outcomes of the project form a framework that bridges science communication and creative practice and points to continued development for interactive installation design

On creative practice and generative AI:Co-shaping the development of emerging artistic technologies

In recent years, advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have given rise to powerful new tools and methods for creative practitioners. 2022–2023 in particular saw an explosion in generative AI tools, models and use cases. Noting the long history of critical arts engaging with AI, this chapter considers both the application of generative AI in the creative indus-tries, and ways in which artists co-shape the development of these emerging technologies. After reviewing the landscape of generative AI in visual arts, music and games, we propose four areas of critical interest for the future co-shaping of generative AI and creative practice in the areas of communi-ties and open source, deeper engagement with AI, beyond the human and cultural feedbacks

Patterns in Deep Time

In this paper, we explore how textile pattern-making can be a useful activity for live coders used to manipulating software. We ran an algorithmic patterns workshop in July 2022 -- with a node at "on the fly" festival in Barcelona, a node in Sheffield and the workshop leader in Penryn -- where we created an activity recreating ancient patterns by weaving on tablet looms that we constructed from card and yarn, and sent to the participants for this remote, multi location workshop. One of the aims of the Algorithmic Pattern project is to highlight the relationship people have had with patterns over history, and how we can use this to uncover certain misconceptions we have about algorithmic patterns in contemporary society. We collected responses from those who participated in the workshop and collated the responses. We found that tablet weaving allows us to connect the physical patterns with their algorithmic descriptions. Also, errors relate with the trade-off among expectations and surprise and exploring new unexpected possibilities. Finally, sharing the experiences among the participants allows us to observe how we interpret patterns when comparing it with other experiences

Tectonic: a networked, generative and interactive, conducting environment for iPad

This paper describes the concept, implementation and context of Tectonic: Rodinia for four realtime composer-conductoors and ensemble. In this work, an addition to the reqertoire of the Decibel Scoreplayer, iPads art networked together using the bonjour protocol to manage connectivity over the network. Unlike previous Scoreplayer works, Rodinia combines conductor view control interfaces, performer view notation interfaces and an audience view overview interface, separately identified by manual connection and yet mutually interactive. Notation is communicated to an ensemble via scores independently generated in realtime in each performer view and amalgamated schematically in the :audience view interface. Interaction in the work is enacted through a collision avoidant algorithm that modifies the choices of each conductor by deflecting the streams of notation according to evaluation of the Mass and proximity to other streams, reflecting the concept of shifting Tectonic plates that crush and reform each other\u27s placement