Heritage and Technology - How can we bring history to audiences?

During this masterclass, we looked at cutting-edge technologies that are re-writing the narrative on human history, including:

• Drones, LiDAR, and how aerial filming gives us another perspective.
• Photogrammetry, 3D scanning, and modelling.
• Augmented reality, Virtual Reality and placemaking experiences.

This interactive event took place on zoom and covered leading tech being used in the heritage sector with hands-on examples of projects.

Event Speakers Video Links:

• Dr Juan Hiriart: Preserving Indigenous Cultural Heritage Through Videogame Technology.
• Dr Dave Cowley: New ways of looking for the past - developing archaeological survey in the 21st century.
• Artist Joe Duffy: Cillini sites in Ireland: exploring the use of VR and shared experiences of infant loss in order to transform them into empowered healing spaces.??
• Professor Trevor Cox: Using Scale Modelling to Assess the Prehistoric Acoustics of Stonehenge.??
• Professor Bob Stone: What Lies Beneath – Visualising and Interpreting the History of Submerged Landscapes Using VR Data Converted from Autonomous Vessel Surveys.??
• Keith Myers: An Introduction to XR technology in Heritage: What is AR and VR and how we make experiences?

The event also went into the application of new technology, when to use the technology, and how audiences can engage with it afterwards.

About the Presenter – Keith Myers

Keith Myers is an Immersive Artist and Unity 3D Expert, Certified Drone Pilot, and the Creative Director of AVimmerse. He has produced immersive experiences for clients such as BBC Arts, Manchester International Festival, The Wildlife Trust, The NHS, Liverpool John Moores University, and Gymshark.

AVimmerse specialises in AR/VR Unity production, with specialist skills including 3D Modelling, 3D Scanning, and 360 video production. They work across multiple sectors with a strong focus on Engineering, MedTech, Heritage, EdTech and commercial projects.

Guest Speaker Details

Professor Bob Stone. A Human Factors specialist and a 35-year veteran of the international VR, AR and MR community, is Emeritus Professor and Director of the Human Interface Technologies Team at the University of Birmingham.

Dr Dave Cowley. Works in archaeological survey at Historic Environment Scotland, and has interests in landscapes and new technology, including the applications of AI and Machine Learning.?

Dr Juan Hiriart. His research interests lie in the intersections between serious and critical gaming, digital heritage, and education. He is particularly interested in the development of participative and ethical design frameworks for historical game design, and, more generally, the use of games in contexts where they can promote positive social change.?

Professor Trevor Cox. A Professor of Acoustic Engineering at the University of Salford, was President of the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) and an EPSRC Senior Media Fellow. His research spans psychology to physics.?

Artist Joe Duffy. Joe Duffy is a Senior Lecturer in Filmmaking at SODA (School of Digital Arts) in Manchester. His practice engages with with analogue and emergent technologies around moving image/screen/mark-making/mapping and storytelling. He performs stories to relay embedded narratives of traumatic landscapes and investigate an immersive sensory potential of experiencing and encountering place.