Creative Technology and Communications

The core emphasis of this research cluster focuses on redefining and developing digital and electronic technologies and concepts for creative arts, applications and solutions that will enhance our human interaction and cultural engagement. Ranging from interactive media arts and performance to virtual environments and artificial life experiments, this research cluster locates itself at the forefront of its specific fields.

Current research activities in the areas of:·

• Telematics
• Telepresence
• Ludic Interfaces
• Serious Games
• Interactive Arts
• New Media Narratives
• Digital Performance
• Sonic Arts

The Creative Technology & Communications cluster have secured research and development funding from sources such as The Arts Council of England, The Arts and Humanities Research Council, The Leverhulme Trust and The National Lottery Fund, supporting projects that have been disseminated through participation in international exhibitions, symposiums, conferences, theatre productions and publications, including The Ars Electronica Centre Linz, The MIT Press, Siggraph USA, The ISEA International Symposium of Electronic Arts, The ZKM Centre for Arts and Media Karlsruhe, The InterCommunication Centre Tokyo and The MACBA Museum of Contemporary Arts Barcelona.

The broad range of Creative Technology and Communications members ensures a high level of inquiry and debate that creates both research synergies and interdisciplinary collaboration across the University.

Projects resulting from these links have included an Arts Council England funded symposium and Artist-in-Residence programme at the Salford Centre for Virtual Environments in collaboration with Prof. David Roberts, and a Leverhulme Trust funded Fellowship programme in partnership with the Centre for Robotics Research. The Creative Technology and Communications research cluster has hosted two AHRC Fellowships in the Creative and Performing Arts in Location Based Arts, Tapio Makela 2008 to 2011 and in Locative and Pervasive Media, Dr Drew Hemment 2003 to 2006. Further external collaborations include the FutureEverything international festival of electronic media arts and lead partner in the European Ludic Interface Research Network and European Masters in Ludic Interfaces programme, funded by the European Commission, in partnership with the University of Applied Arts Linz, Austria and the University of Valencia, Spain.

The Creative Technology and Communications research cluster has an affiliated MA Art & Design: Creative Technology postgraduate taught programme enrolling approximately 10 students a year. There are also currently 8 registered PhD students in the research cluster.

MediaCityUK

The University of Salford development at MediaCityUK has provided the our creative practice based research and teaching in the areas of digital media, creative technology, games design and ludic interfaces with a new leading research environment alongside a range of media research partners including the BBC.

By recognising the radically changing media scene through social networking, interactive digital interfaces and networked audiences, this cluster bridges art and design with new creative industry partners and departments from across the University to embrace this unique opportunity. This development is reflected in recent research and postgraduate programme developments, fostering innovation and synergy between the School of Arts & Media and MediaCityUK. The new facilities for performances, exhibitions and studio practice at MediaCityUK are of specific relevance to activities and successes of the Creative Technology & Communications research cluster and have already provided a state of the art showcase for research projects, practice-based PhD students and research fellows.

Research Cluster Leader: Charlotte Gould
T: +44 (0)161 295 6059
c.e.gould@salford.ac.uk