RESEARCH & PRACTISE PORTFOLIO
Tools for collaboration & Learning Experience My work focuses on Human-Computer Interaction and Technology Enhanced Learning, with a particular interest in Computer Supported Collaborative Work and Learning (CSCW/CSCL) in my doctoral work.
I initially worked on the development of tabletop apps that will allow groups to collaborate during various activities such as card sorting or design conversations. Then I worked as a research associate at InfoSpaces, a bilateral 2-year project between Cyprus & Slovenia, creating and evaluating creative spaces for co-located learning. On the same research focus is my doctoral work on the design and evaluation of artifact ecologies for collaborative design activities in Higher education. Using ethnographic approaches I extracted design implications and suggestions for future interactive spaces in Higher Education and problem-based learning activities. |
Participatory & User-Centred DesignOne of the primary aspects of my work is the involvement of users in the design of interactive technologies, following user-centred and participatory design approaches. Currently, I am working as a Research Associate on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership between Newcastle University and Northern Stage Ltd, a theatrical production company, to revolutionise theatre using technology on and off stage for sustainable audience engagement. Using my expertise in participatory design, we involve local communities and youth centres through creativity and technology workshops to democratise technology design for theatrical productions and provide plays with social impact and outreach.
On an earlier project, along with colleagues from CIL we employed community engagement and capacity building to design and develop an online communication platform for women mentoring in the euro-mediterranean area, namely WomenPower. |
Creativity & Technology WorkshopsSeries of workshops involving creativity and technology (from prototyping to Arduino and sensors)
The Time Capsule
“In 100 years from now you find a time capsule. Who are you? What are you like? What is the use of that item in the future? Is that an invention or a magical item?” Combining design fiction and future Imagineering to extract ideas and push individuals think outside the box, creating tangible elements, imagine personas, and build storylines around those elements. |
The Imagineers
The Imagineers track expands knowledge and understanding outside the theatre, to envisage a new hybrid installation/performance taking participants further along the spectrum of technology. This series of workshops provide a “space” to deepen the knowledge and understanding of creative arts practice, develop new skills on participants channelling their creativity in exciting new ways across new media and spaces from physical to virtual. Bringing forward people interested in designing for space and place, future Imagineering, and new experiences or have a focus on creative technology and arts practice. The League The League track generates and explores interesting interactions from an actor's perspective. Through a series of workshops individuals gain experience working with challenging scenarios, improvisation with technology and digital imagineering, exploring the boundaries between the digital and physical world. A place to discover and develop talents, skills and flair, to challenge and understand theatre from a new perspective, and act with technology. Bringing a diverse mix of people with an interest in theatre and performance, looking to experiment with technology and for the future. |
Prototypes & Examples of workInstructables: Hear my Knock & See my Message
Tangible object to instruct the individual holding it how to move in an open space performance. Wait for the knock or follow the screen messages to explore the open space performance. Interactive: Sound & Muscle
Tracking a performer’s muscle using heart rate/muscle tension tools to change the pinch/rate of a sound. |
Trackables: Whispers as I pass by
This tool tracks people passing by from a location that triggers a sound, more specifically, a whisper related to the show or them. Interactive: Walk & Sound
Using gyroscope/ accelerometer data from a mobile phone to change the direction of the sound, based on how I move or where I am. |