As part of the 2024 DTA Summer School, we are making the most of our host ARU by linking up with their StoryLab Research Institute to deliver a keynote workshop to attendees, setting the scene for three days of communication related sessions and activities. StoryLab will also be offering a mini placement opportunity for attendees after the event (see further details at the bottom of this page).

StoryLab -  storylabresearch.com

StoryLab is an interdisciplinary research institute at Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge) that explores how digital innovation and storytelling can effect meaningful social change, cultural participation and heritage sustainability. 

We explore immersive storytelling to enable diverse voices and perspectives, and how the development and democratisation of existing and emerging creative technologies can enable stories to be told in innovative and immersive ways. 

StoryLab combines traditional storytelling methods with emerging formats and creative technologies such as XR (VR, AR, MR), 360 film, soundscapes, 3D data visualisation to create powerful experiences to affect change. As a Lab, Storylab’s focus is on speculative, participatory and agile design to create highly relevant responses to the real-world environment. 

SESSION: Creative technologies and storytelling for research - Wednesday 10 July 2024 at 11:15

AGENDA 

11.15-11.20: Introduction workshop and StoryLab Research Institute (Fabrizio Galeazzi) 

11.20-11.35: Exploring Design for Polyvocality (Violeta Tsenova) 

11.35-11.50: Podcasting as a research tool (Jemily Rime) 

11.50-12.05: Immersive Technologies to Bring Inaccessible Heritage Closer (Christopher Nightingale) 

12.05-12.30: Q&A and interactive session 

PRESENTATIONS 

Presentation 1: Exploring Design for Polyvocality 

I describe the design of Loci Stories – a networked storytelling cabinet which uses voice recognition to tell stories from volunteers working at the National Trust at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northeast of England. Loci Stories was created as part of a wider co-design research within heritage venues that sought to improve interpretation and designs approaches engaging with multiple perspectives. The work aimed to nuance existing authorised heritage discourse interpretations by championing the stories of volunteers who have a unique perspective on the place. I present my workflow considering how might we interweave the content with the interactions of the designed experience. 

Presentation 2: Podcasting as a research tool 

Let’s make some noises. Then record them, publish them, and distribute them online. This workshop will introduce researchers to the fundamentals of podcasting, going over some of the basics of podcast production, and looking at how an idea turns into an audio file that can be shared online.   Through examples of academic podcasts or audio experiences, we look into the practicalities of setting up a podcast, and how to best use audio-based storytelling to build and share research.  No prior knowledge of audio production or media creation is required. 

Presentation 3: Immersive Technologies to Bring Inaccessible Heritage Closer 

An introduction to the StoryLab and UK Antarctic Heritage Trust joint project, Immersive Antarctica. Through a demonstration of our jointly developed application, Immersive Antarctica: A Frozen Night, we will introduce our use of Virtual Reality as a tool for accessibility of distant and inaccessible heritage, and how we made use of archival material and data capture techniques to develop a captivating immersive experience. 

MINI PLACEMENT

DTA Summer School attendees have the opportunity to undertake a 3-day mini placement to work at the StoryLab Research Institute (ARU) and expand on one or more of the technologies, approaches and workflows discussed and explored during the workshop. 

Knowledge and skills covered include, but are not limited to, digital technologies, data visualisation, immersive media, participatory design, 360 filming, audio tech. and podcasting. 

If you would like to apply, please complete and return the StoryLab placement form to dta@unialliance.ac.uk by 1 August 2024.