Theatre in the Forest of Things and Signs

This article uses the experience of a piece of immersive theatre (Coney’s Early Days of a Better Nation) to inform a discussion of spectatorship in works that demand performances from audience members. It asks how we value spectatorship where the spectator-participant and their actions are placed at the centre of the performance. Initially proposing that a model of body-based intersubjectivity is appropriate to understand how meaning arises in these performances, it goes on to examine how the challenge to participatory performance that is given in Jacques Rancière’s ‘The Emancipated Spectator’ can be used to discuss the value of participation. Rancière’s contention that reforms of audience-performer relationship are ‘stultifying’ rather than emancipatory is read as a kind of negative intersubjectivity. The importance of the independent will to the process of subjectivation is seen as key to an emancipatory participatory spectatorship

The Triple Helix model for innovation: A holistic exploration of barriers and enablers

© 2015 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. The Triple Helix model of innovation has attracted considerable attention in both developed and developing economies as an integral policy making tool to enhance innovation and promote economic development (Etzkowitz and Leydesdorff, 1997). Specifically it advocates the strengthening of the collaborative relationships between academia, industry and government to improve innovation. However, no studies have holistically examined the overall barriers and enablers in implementing, and attempting to operationalise, the Triple Helix model. This paper aims to contribute to the study of the Triple Helix model by investigating the main factors that influence the implementation and operationalisation of this model. The discussion begins with a description of the model, highlighting its emphasis on an evolutionary process towards developing the type of interactive collaboration that leads to all three actors achieving long term strategic goals. Following this a discussion of the enablers and barriers in implementing the model is presented

Algorithms for Galois group computations over multivariate function fields

In this thesis, two separate algorithms are described to determine the Galois group of a polynomial f defined over a function field of the form Q(w1,...,wa), both of which use Stauduhar’s method for polynomials over Q, with various techniques used to make them compatible for function fields as the base field. In particular, both algorithms construct the resolvent of f. The first algorithm uses a special form of Hensel lifting to express the roots as a multivariate power series of sufficient precision to determine the resolvent exactly. This precision is derived through the use of Newton polygons and by obtaining a bound on the size of the coefficients of the resolvent. The second algorithm constructs the resolvents of a set of specialisations of f, which are then interpolated. Computational complexity and timing of implementations in MAGMA for polynomials of degree up to 8 are compared and discussed

The playthrough evaluation framework reliable usability evaluation for video games

This thesis presents the playthrough evaluation framework, a novel framework for the reliable usability evaluation of first-person shooter console video games. The framework includes playthrough evaluation, a structured usability evaluation method adapted from heuristic evaluation. Usability evaluation can help guide developers by pointing out design issues that cause users problems. However, usability evaluation methods suffer from the evaluator effect, where separate evaluations of the same data do not produce reliably consistent results. This can result in a number of undesirable consequences affecting issues such as: • Unreliable evaluation: Without reliable results, evaluation reports risk giving incorrect or misleading advice. • Weak methodological validation: Typically new methods (e.g., new heuristics) are validated against user tests. However, without a reliable means to describe observations, attempts to validate novel methods against user test data will also be affected by weak reliability. The playthrough evaluation framework addresses these points through a series of studies presenting the need for, and showing the development of the framework, including the following stages, 1. Explication of poor reliability in heuristic evaluation. 2. Development and validation of a reliable user test coding scheme. 3. Derivation of a novel usability evaluation method, playthrough evaluation. 4. Testing the method, quantifying results. Evaluations were conducted with 22 participants, on 3 first-person shooter action console video games, using two methodologies, heuristic evaluation and the novel playthrough evaluation developed in this thesis. Both methods proved effective, with playthrough evaluation providing more detailed analysis but requiring more time to conduct

Knowledge acquisition in knowledge transfer partnerships: An activity theory based study of business process improvement using process mapping

Knowledge and its acquisition are seen to be an increasingly important aspect of business management. Universities, through initiatives such as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP), are influential in the effective co-production and transfer of business management knowledge, however the mechanisms of knowledge acquisition within KTPs have been under researched.This thesis explores the acquisition of knowledge in three KTPs where process mapping was used in order to deliver business process improvements. It utilises Activity Theory as its research framework, adopting a Participatory Action Research approach with multi-site triangulation and employing cyclic data capture and analysis. Data is captured using semi-structured interviews and instantaneously sampled field notes.The research identifies the organisational community in which the KTP is conducted to be the most significant source of tensions or disturbances that impinge upon the work that is being undertaken. It makes a contribution to knowledge by classifying a source of tensions or disturbances that are not currently identified by Activity Theory and proffers an extension to the framework to include the ‘Tacit Skills’ of the individual undertaking an activity.It also identifies issues of governance, such as the stewardship of public funds that pervade KTPs and threaten to undermine the stated aims of the KTP initiative. Furthermore it highlights the complexities of KTPs and emphasises the need to support the psychological, emotional and training needs of those that are involved in their execution

Overview of the CLEF-2005 cross-language speech retrieval track

The task for the CLEF-2005 cross-language speech retrieval track was to identify topically coherent segments of English interviews in a known-boundary condition. Seven teams participated, performing both monolingual and cross-language searches of ASR transcripts, automatically generated metadata, and manually generated metadata. Results indicate that monolingual search technology is sufficiently accurate to be useful for some purposes (the best mean average precision was 0.18) and cross-language searching yielded results typical of those seen in other applications (with the best systems approximating monolingual mean average precision)

The implementation of an environmentalmanagement system in the not-for-profit sector

PurposeThis paper examines the implementation of the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) in a non-profit, small to medium sized enterprise (SME) in the UK.MethodologyA four year Participatory Action Research study is made upon Knowledge Transfer Partnerships between the University of the West of England and the Royal Bath and West Society. FindingsThrough the adoption of EMAS the organisation was able to identify operational improvements as well as make significant efforts to improve its environmental performance, reducing its carbon footprint by 30 tCO₂e per annum and gaining new business.Research LimitationsThe study is made upon a single not for profit organisation in the UK.Practical ImplicationsIt presents the costs, benefits and challenges that the organisation faced. Techniques that were used to successfully manage the EMS development are also discussed.The investigation identifies deficiencies in the materials that are provided to support companies that are seeking EMAS certification. To improve the uptake of these environmental management systems and assist companies in their successful pursuit of ISO14001 and EMAS, this supporting documentation requires enhancement.OriginalityThere has been relatively little empirical research around the development and benefits of organisational environmental management systems (EMS). Even less has focussed upon the specific constraints and opportunities that face non-profit organisations when implementing EMAS. This paper addresses this gap, identifying its costs and tangible benefits