Geographical Information System Applications for the Arts and Humanities

Duration: Two Days
Dates: 5-6 September 2009

The workshop will begin with an overview of the types of spatial issues that confront researchers and scholars in the arts and humanities with an emphasis on the role that spatial technologies, such as geographic information systems (GIS), can play in addressing those issues.  It will then proceed to explore various existing software tools that can be used to collect, display, and analyze spatial information focusing on ArcGIS.  Included will be current research on the implementation of Web 2.0 technologies (mash-ups, etc) and the use of open source tools.  Examples of resources providing free and fee-based spatial data will also be presented.

The workshop will include hands-on exercises providing practical experience of some of the powerful tools that are available for manipulating the display of map and tabular information; tools that are available for spatially orienting scanned imagery such as historic maps with other sources of information so as to allow for a comparison of past and present landscapes; tools for integrating information such as the locations of archaeological artifacts collected from GPS instruments with other data; and tools for performing analysis of spatial phenomena such as population dispersion patterns. 

Participants will each receive a copy of a free GIS data viewer as well as a sample collection of spatial data resources so that they can continue to explore this technology. The workshop is designed to provide the foundations upon which scholars can build their own research using GIS on.

Instructors:
Dr Paul S Ell, Centre for Data Digitisation and Analysis, QUB
Mr Shane Hubbard, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

Details:
The workshop will be based in Room 01 021 in the School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology Elmwood Building (situated behind the Student’s Union) on the weekend of 5 and 6 September from 10.00 to 16.00. A buffet lunch will be provided.
See point G on this map.

Digital Futures: Heritage and Humanities Visualisation [CANCELLED]

Dr Hugh Denard and Drew Baker, King’s Visualisation Lab

Duration: One Day
Dates: 5 September 2009

Computer-generated visualisations are playing an increasingly significant role in the study and communication of history and cultural heritage.

This one-day course is for researchers, curators, educators and managers in research, cultural and memory institutions who wish to learn more about the state of the art in visualisation capture, processing and display tools and methods in the heritage and humanities sectors including: 3d scanning, manual and semi-automated computer modelling, real-time environments, hand-held and stereoscopic displays and touch-based interfaces.

The course will discuss key issues of standards, documentation and intellectual integrity as well as strategic approaches to funding, managing, and sustaining visual projects and resources. It will also lay out a best-practice framework for determining the most appropriate tools and methods for specific materials and contexts, and will include, on request, project-specific consultancy for participants.

The course will include presentations, practical demonstration of visualisation tools and round-table discussions.

Due to unforseen events we have had to cancel this workshop. If you have signed up for the workshop and have any questions related to this, please use the contact form provided.

Digital Futures: Virtual Worlds [CANCELLED]

Dr Hugh Denard and Drew Baker, King’s Visualisation Lab

Duration: One Day
Dates: 6 September 2009

Virtual Worlds are computer-generated, multi-user virtual environments in which graphical representations of users – avatars – move around and, in real-time, interact with spaces, objects, and each other as in a computer game. Unlike computer games, however, Virtual Worlds have no inherent narrative or objectives; indeed, users themselves may landscape the terrain, build structures, create objects and design interactivity.

Although there are numerous Virtual World platforms, the most well-known, easily accessible and popular Virtual World is Second Life, created by Linden Labs, which has several million users. Second Life has been adopted by artists seeking new means of artistic expression, and by galleries, museums, researchers and educators who understand that Virtual Worlds offer new ways of representing and experiencing contemporary and past human culture, and of engaging with audiences.

The course will briefly review the characteristics, benefits and disadvantages of Second Life for the arts, humanities and cultural heritage sectors in relation to other Virtual World platforms such as Open Simulator (an open-source emulator of Second Life), Unity (a game-like Virtual World platform), and X3D (the ISO standard format for three-dimensional computer graphics).

The course will then provide a practical introduction for beginners and novices to creating, editing, texturing and scripting content, and to getting help in Second Life, providing a basis for participants to develop their own activities in Virtual Worlds. This will provide a basic set of concepts and skills, many of which will be transferable to other Virtual World platforms.

Participants will receive objects, textures and scripts developed by King’s Visualisation Lab designed to facilitate detailed, high-quality modelling as well as expert guidance on documenting Virtual World content. The course will also include, on request, project-specific consultancy for participants.

Before attending the course, participants should have created a Second Life account (http://secondlife.com), and have completed the orientation for new users in Second Life. Using Second Life is free unless you wish to rent or own land, which is not necessary for this course. Participants should also bring their own wi-fi enabled, Second Life-capable laptops. Wireless broadband connections will be provided.

Due to unforseen events we have had to cancel this workshop. If you have signed up for the workshop and have any questions related to this, please use the contact form provided.