European Researchers' Night: Wearables, Media Opera, Biometrics

POELTEN, Austria, June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

The European Researchers' Night is a central pillar of the European commitment to spark enthusiasm for research. Many institutions apply to participate. This year, St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, together with PR&D, an international PR agency for Research & Education, managed to convince with their ideas: state-of-the-art media technologies make it possible to experience research results that surround us with all senses. Music, dance and cooking will take centre stage along with electronic wearables, audiovisual animations and intelligent biometrics.

Co-Director of St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, Dr Gabriela Fernandes, comments on the ideas: "Our research focuses on application. Therefore it is highly relevant to the general public. It is ideal for awakening enthusiasm for research."

The central idea of the evening is reflected in the title "FIT for research". Research makes you fit for life. Wearables represent a salient example of this - clothing with added functionality. This is a field of research with which St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences is increasingly attracting attention. On 23 September, for instance, all scientists will sport wearables that can transmit information about their work to visitors' mobile phones. And that's not all! Clothing that changes colour according to the surroundings and lederhosen with an electronic beat will also be shown.

"At many stations, guests will experience how research makes you fit", Dr Frederick Baker explains. He is a lecturer at St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences and works at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Cambridge in the UK. "We will present our research in a new fashion and connect science and culture."

One way of doing this will be Dr Baker's media opera "Pitoti - Echoes of the Echoes". This work is based on 4,000-year-old World Heritage listed rock engravings. At St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, the motion patterns of the static figures are reanimated using dance, 2D and 3D design and even given a new sound dimension.

Dr Till C. Jelitto, Managing Partner of the agency PR&D - Public Relations for Research & Education, adds: "Our ideas reflect science communication for the 21^st century. Indeed, we have moved away from a schoolmasterly presentation of research into a world of experiences, created by the research itself. Research is a natural part of our lives, and that is how it should be perceived."

Information: http://www.fit-fuer-forschung.eu

Jacqueline Bogdanovic
T +43-1-505-70-44
E bogdanovic@prd.at
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