UNSW Centre for Interactive Cinema Research

Research programs

Viscera

The iCinema Centre’s cross faculty Research Programs undertake the aesthetic development of intelligent visualisation systems that explore unpredictable scenarios across a range of domains. The Programs are led by a senior researcher and co-led by an ECR, with a team comprising postdoctoral fellows, research fellows, programmers, academics, PhD researchers and industry partners. These programs are articulated to collaboration with the UNSW Bushfire Research Group (UNSW Canberra), the Climate Change Research Centre (UNSW Science) and the School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering’s Advanced Visualisation Lab (UNSW Engineering), Fire and Rescue NSW and Royal College of Art (UK).

Research Programs

  • Leader: Scientia Prof. Dennis Del Favero (UNSW Art & Design)
    Co-Leaders: A/Prof. Grant Stevens (UNSW Art & Design), Dr Greg Drummond (Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA), Gonzalo Herrera (Fire and Rescue NSW) and A/Prof. Ali Asadipour (Royal College of Art, London)
    PhDs: Nagida Helsby-Clark (CSIRO + UNSW Art & Design), Mario Flores Gonzalez (UNSW Art & Design), and Frank Wu (UNSW Engineering)

    This program explores how fire-laden landscapes can be visually created through the joint decision making of users and an AI virtual environment across networked museum sites so that they co-author evolving situations unrestricted in aesthetic form, complexity and inventiveness using atmosphere, flora, humanoid and topographical data.

  • Leader: Scientia Associate Prof. Yang Song (UNSW Engineering)
    Co-Leaders: Dr Renhao Huang (UNSW Art & Design) with Frank Wu (UNSW Engineering)

    This program harnesses multi-modal data and develops AI pipelines that provide actionable insights, continuously adapting as situations evolve and through dynamic interactions with humans.

  • Leader: Scientia Lecturer Dr Susanne Thurow (UNSW Art & Design)
    Co-Leaders: Dr Prue Gibson (UNSW Art & Design) and Prof. Ursula Frohne (University of Münster, Germany)

    This program integrates performance and media art theory and practice to explore innovative immersive frameworks that address human engagement with the climate crisis.

  • Leader: Scientia Prof. Michael J. Ostwald (UNSW Built Environment)
    Co-Leaders: Mario Flores Gonzalez (UNSW Art & Design) with Nagida Helsby-Clark (CSIRO & UNSW Art & Design)

    This program utilises immersive visualisation and advanced computational modelling to examine and predict how people understand, emotionally respond to, and behave in complex situations and environments.

  • Leader: Dr Baylee Brits (Office of National Intelligence)
    Co-Leaders: Prof. Maurice Pagnucco (UNSW Engineering)

    This program investigates the augmentation of decision making by artificial intelligence or machine learning in narrative or immersive environments. This program considers the valence of AI aesthetics for creating new knowledge and enabling preparedness in high stakes decision-making situations.