Encouraging Serendipity in Media City - Researching novel interface methodologies, applications, and devices, on a flexible very high resolution multi-model display in a 24 hour public space

The University of Salford is to occupy a new space in MediaCityUK, equipped with cutting-edge technology to demonstrate the full range of capabilities of the University. There has been much talk about Media City and in particular the ‘The Egg’ area is which is to be open to the general public as well as students and business employees visiting the building. It will benefit from proximity to BBC and ITV amongst others. This space will act as a showcase for the University as well as a research space bringing together active strands from across colleges and schools.

This model fits the concept of the European ‘Living Lab’. The living lab consortium (21 living labs across Europe) have been looking at how to encourage serendipity in places that bring creative people together. There have also been several attempts to bring people together across a distance to support serendipitous encounters. It is clear that both approaches have their teething troubles, not least as the two have never been brought together well. The suggested collaboration addresses this by combining leading expertise in how people interact within space and how they interact across space through technology (Barrett and Roberts respectively).

We have shown that in laboratory conditions, a room that appears to ‘come to life’ appears to be a comfortable and a social place to be and also seems to help concentration and task performance. As a PhD that showed this within the octave (CVE-FM) comes to an end, we look to see if the results migrate to the real world.

This linking of spaces itself encapsulates different elements. Ars Electronic in Linz have for instance have expressed an interest in a serendipity window into their public museum, while BBC have expressed interest in linking to closed private spaces in their properties in the South of England. These ideas are already accommodated in the technology design through focused sound, cameras, varied audio devices, gesture based positioning of collaborative windows, mobile/motile interfaces etc.

Award:
The successful student must have a first degree (1st or 2.1 classification) in a relevant subject and be from the UK/EU.
The studentship includes fees paid at home/EU rate and a stipend of £13,500 per annum for three and a half years.
The award will commence on or shortly after 1st October 2011.

How to apply:
The application form should be completed online at:
http://www.salford.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/how_apply/

The closing date for applications is 30th September 2011

Enquiries should be made to Catriona Barkley [Email Address Removed]
For detailed information about any of these projects please contact the named supervisor(s).