The University of York has launched the Digital Creativity Labs (DC Labs) – a major £18 million initiative for innovative research in the convergent area of digital and creative technologies.
Based at the University’s Ron Cooke Hub on Campus East, the DC Labs will be a world centre of excellence for research, harnessing the huge potential of digital games and interactive media for economic, social and cultural impact.
Involving three UK research councils, four universities, and over 80 collaborative partner organisations, the DC Labs will foster connections between researchers, industry, government, the third sector and the general public. Spoke sites will operate at the University of Falmouth, Goldsmiths - University of London and Cass Business School.
In collaboration with Creative England and other partners, the DC Labs will help organisations access the world-class research on offer at these and other UK universities to ensure that the UK capitalises on the business, cultural and lifestyle benefits of digital creativity.
Scientists, social scientists, government and third sector employees working together to explore how games and interactive media can be used for social good
Museums, galleries and games publishers exploring how to improve engagement with digital archives and assets, maximising positive digital opportunities for creative culture
Broadcast companies and producers developing new ways of interacting with TV programmes and theatre performances
Local authorities exploring games and media to help them better reach citizens to improve understanding of policy changes
Games companies working to embed novel artificial intelligence and decision-making techniques in new games
The DC Labs launch event included a keynote address by award-winning broadcaster, journalist and author Kate Russell, a regular on the BBC’s technology programme CLICK. Members of the DC Labs then joined speakers from UK Interactive Entertainment, Creative England, the BBC, and Revolution Games for a panel discussion and audience Q&A. The event culminated in an interactive exhibition and networking drinks session, giving attendees the opportunity to understand the aims of the DC Labs and influence its plans.
“We are delighted to support and partner with the University of York on this exciting initiative. The DC Labs reflects Creative England’s own ambition to connect and grow existing and emerging creative businesses with wide-ranging research and development expertise, and we constantly strive to develop programmes which stimulate cross-innovation and creative spillovers between creative sectors and other industries. We look forward to helping some of best ideas become reality as a result of this partnership.”
Professor Peter Cowling, Director of the Digital Creativity Labs and the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Intelligent Games and Game Intelligence, added:
“York is already a UNESCO City of Media Arts in recognition of leading position in with digital research, innovation and enterprise. The addition of the Digital Creativity Labs strengthens this yet further. We will be the first place to come to draw on research expertise across a range of disciplines, working with industry experts, and so find the information and forge the connections that will turn ideas into outcomes and challenges into solutions.”
Professor Feng Li, from Cass Business School, City University London, a key applicant who leads the business theme said:
“Cass is a key partner in this multi-institution flagship initiative under the RCUK’s Digital Economy Programme. Working closely with colleagues from different disciplines and with our large network of business partners, we will be responsible for the business perspective in the Digital Creative Labs, developing new business models to bring out the economic and social impacts of our research in the Digital Creative Labs. We are ideally positioned to link up our research with business leaders, investors, and policy makers in London.”
Black lace covered V-neck with thin straps evening dress with flowing black tassles that takes you back to the 40's
Bret Hamilton died last week of an apparent heart attack. His blog entry just a month ago gives you just a glimpse into the thinking of many who grew up Adventist.
“I am not a Bible scholar. Haven't picked one up for years. I often find humor in people that take themselves and their beliefs much too seriously. I was raised as a Seventh-day Adventist, but found the fundamentalism and the core belief that we are all "unworthy," destructive and at times life threatening.
“I describe my religious views currently as a "Salad Bar." I like to pick and choose from the various doctrines out there to make my own personal guidelines that have worked really well for me...They are as follows:
2. I like the life of Christ. Not the whole smiting and burn in hell stuff....but his actual life. He went to the people that needed him most....prostitutes, fishermen, sick, poor and blind. His message was love....period....I like that
3. I like the Catholic idea of confession. The rest of the theatrics are confusing and puzzling, but I like the idea of getting things off your chest and having a place to dump your shame.
4. I like the Mormon's idea of emphasis on the family and the one day off a week idea. I don't think it has to be "holy" but I think everybody needs to take at least a one day break every week.
5. I like that the Lutherans drink at their fundraisers. I don't drink (anymore...long story) but I think it lightens things up a little bit.
6. I like the Alcoholics Anonymous or any 12 step approach to living life, examining and trying to right wrongs and trying to live better and spread love.
7. I believe that we are not the end all of the universe but part of something bigger. I don't necessarily believe that there is a white haired harp distributor living on a cloud, but that the universe is too complex to have us be the very best there is. I often fantasize that we are a cancerous cell that is part of some larger entity. After all....size is relative. When I need to put a face to this something bigger....it is Jerry Garcia.
8. I tell my children to question everything as they have been blessed with brilliant minds. I also tell them to be wary of anyone that claims to have all the answers as every religion is an interpretation....
9. I believe that life is about loving your children, petting your dog, walking in the sunshine, picking up hitchhikers, holding hands, smelling newly mown grass, and loving each other. The rest is all just muck.
10. I believe that if I have lived my life with love and compassion, that the rest doesn't matter and in the end if something else awaits, whatever that is, I will go where I belong.”