Leonardo_Net

The theory, design and application of interactive technologies

Leonardo-Net: Culture, Creativity and Interaction Design

Leonardo-Net is an international, radically interdisciplinary research network led by the UK, set up to define a programme of research in the area of culture, creativity and interaction design. Drawing researchers from art, design, IT, computer science, engineering, architecture, cultural studies, and media studies, to name a few, the idea is to look at human-computer interaction (HCI) as it pertains to the theory, design and application of interactive technologies.

Leonardo-Net has a formal life of two years, funded by the EPSRC till the end of September 2006. The project's administrative base is at the University of York, though the network extends throughout the UK, linking research groups as a series of participating 'nodes', or partner institutions. The project will culminate with an international symposium (probably outside Britain, but still to be fixed) and an edited book (or special issue) on the themes of the four UK workshops. The less formal outcome should be a number of research collaborations between partners in the project to take the agenda on. Unsurprisingly, networking opportunities will be a key feature of our activities.

Specifically, the project includes:

1. the production of a 'landscape document' scoping the field, and an edited book (or journal issue) of related research;
2. five events - a launch workshop for node members only, followed by three themed workshops around the UK, and one international symposium;
3. an arts/science interactive digital artwork, the execution of which is being planned as part of the collaboration of the nodes;
4. technical visits and exchanges between node researchers;
5. a website and network mailing list to facilitate communication between nodes, the wider interest group and the rest of the research community.

pages by Alan Dix and hiraeth mixed media