IRDF project investigates world of new media

trevor.kenney — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 19:53:23 +0000

The very aspect of new media that makes it so engaging is also what makes the discipline challenging. While change is both exciting and invigorating, the pace at which new media practices and software evolve is almost too quick to fully explore the medium.

"I've been really fortunate in my career that I've been working at a time that has seen enormous changes in the way I work," says Leanne Elias, assistant professor in the department of New Media.

"At the same time, it just changes so rapidly that as an artist, it can be very frustrating because we never have the chance to fully exploit the tools and options that we have available to us in software before something new comes along and we then move on to that."

The IRDF project team (l to r) Cheryl Meheden, Leanne Elias, Dr. John Usher, Dr. Janice Rahn and Michael Campbell are exploring the world of new media.

In an attempt to capture how artists, educators and practitioners of new media approach and adapt to continual change in the medium, Elias and four other U of L researchers will produce the E-book of New Media Research Methods and Practice as one of three funded projects through the new Interdisciplinary Research Development Fund (IRDF).

"I see this as a perfect opportunity to examine how others are working in our world," says Elias, the principal investigator.

The project also includes Dr. Janice Rahn (education), Dr. John Usher (management), Michael Campbell (art) and Cheryl Meheden (management).

Elias says the group plans to conduct upwards of 50 video interviews with new media artists from around the world who are driving innovations in software and communication design, or exploring unexpected ways of working with technology. The goal is to discover how these people are using new media tools and how they, as educators, can work together to expand research and teaching practices.

"We have already learned that we all approach new media practice differently," says Elias. "There are some big unanswered questions about how we all teach, such as why does the way we teach change between disciplines, what are the crossovers between disciplines, and are we delivering the right curriculum?"

Data collection (interviews) will begin this summer and continue through to spring 2013, at which time a host of essays will be written interpreting the interview results. Both graduate and undergraduate students will assist in the process.

"The team members will analyze the results collaboratively through different research methodologies and I think that's where it really becomes interdisciplinary.

The exciting aspect about the e-book is that it will use current technology and be produced as an interactive book meant for tablet devices. This allows its creators to produce a living entity, dynamically changing over time. Although the book is expected to be released in 2014, updates to the book could be released as new interviews are created. Users of the book will be able to view the full video interviews, see art and design projects, read the interpretive essays or even hone in on one particular interview question and see the results from each respondent.

In the end, both students and educators will benefit from the project, as long as they are willing to adapt to the ever-changing landscape it explores.

This story first appeared in the June 2012 issue of the Legend. For a look at the entire issue in flipbook format, follow this link.

Weeks named U of L's new VP, Research

trevor.kenney — Fri, 22 May 2009 15:09:37 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has appointed a new Vice-President, Research. Dr. Daniel J. Weeks has been named the institution's second VP Research and will take over the position July 1, 2009.

Weeks joins the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ from Simon Fraser ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ where he is currently a Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology, as well as operator of the PsychoMotor Behaviour Laboratory.

Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Weeks received a BA with honours in psychology from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Windsor (1983), an MSc specializing in human biodynamics from McMaster (1985) and a PhD in psychology specializing in cognition and motor performance from Auburn ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ (1989). He completed his postdoctoral work as a visiting Assistant Professor in the Department Psychological Science at Purdue ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

Weeks is a cognitive psychologist and an internationally recognized expert on human motor control. He also has a research program focused on skill acquisition in persons with Down syndrome. He has pioneered new brain imaging techniques to determine the impact of cerebral specialization and information processing on health and behaviour, among other projects.

"Dr. Weeks is well known as someone who has worked on both sides of the border, at all levels of the academic and research funding community, and on projects that have not only helped to build research capacity and attract significant funding - and people - to his present employer, but have also affected people's lives in a very positive way," said Dr. Bill Cade, the U of L's President and Vice-Chancellor. "We are very pleased Dan has chosen to join our team, and look forward to having him in the community."

Weeks said he is looking forward to fitting in to the personal, but far-reaching, nature of the
U of L research office and the people behind it.

"If I were to use a boxing analogy, the U of L 'punches bigger than its weight' in terms of influence," Weeks said.

"U of L researchers are key players on several national and international stages, and yet the faculty and administrative team retain a personable attitude that reflects well on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, its programs, accessibility to students and other factors such as community outreach."

In addition to his active research program, over the last five years, Weeks has focused on facilitating research and service opportunities for the Down Syndrome Research Foundation. This work has resulted in more than $10 million in capital fundraising. Recently appointed to the Board of Down Syndrome International, Weeks is actively promoting health and physical activity in developing countries around the world as a fundamental human right for persons with intellectual disability.

UNews - assistant professor in the department

IRDF project investigates world of new media

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Weeks named U of L's new VP, Research

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