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: Dr Baylee Brits (Office of National Intelligence), with A/Prof. Grant Stevens (UNSW Art & Design), Prof. Jason Sharples (UNSW Canberra), Dr Steve Kassem (NeuRa), Dr Greg Drummond (Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA), Gonzalo Herrera (Fire and Rescue NSW) and Dr Robert Phillips (Royal College of Art, London)
    PhDs: Nagida Helsby-Clark (CSIRO + UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture), Siqi Wu (UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture)

    This program explores how complex climate disaster and neurological terrains can be visually created and modelled through the joint decision making of users and AI, so that they probe evolving situations using climate data on the one hand and MRI data on the other

  • Leader: Scientia Associate Prof. Yang Song (UNSW Engineering)
    Co-Leaders:     Dr Renhao Huang (UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture)
    PhDs:     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 Arts,  Design & Architecture)
    Co-Leaders: Scientia Senior Lecturer Dr Bronwyn Bailey-Charteris (UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture), with Dr Prue Gibson (UNSW Arts,  Design & Architecture), Mr Ulrich Schrauth (VRHAM! Biennale), and Prof. Ursula Frohne (University of Münster, Germany)

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

  • Leader: Scientia Prof. Michael J. Ostwald (UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture)
    Co-Leaders: Dr Baylee Brits (UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture) with Prof. Maurice Pagnucco (UNSW Engineering)

    This program utilises immersive visualisation and advanced computational modelling to examine and predict how people understand, respond to, and behave in complex situations and environments. It also considers the valence of AI aesthetics for creating new knowledge and enabling preparedness in high stakes decision-making situations.