Sheffield Hallam University

Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) is coordinating the meSch project. Sheffield Hallam University is one of the largest universities in the UK, with more than 30.000 students and 4.000 staff, offering approximately 610 different courses. Four departments within SHU are taking part in the meSch project, including two research centres at the The Cultural Communication and Computing Research Institute (C3RI).

a) ADRC – Art and Design Research Centre

The Art and Design Research Centre (ADRC) at the Cultural, Communication and Computing Research Institute is one of Britain’s leading centres for research in the creative disciplines of Fine Art, Design and Media Production.

Role in the project: SHU ADRC will participate in WP3 on tasks T3.1 the authoring environment (leader); T3.3 (leader) on the visual user interface; in WP4 on all tasks and leading T4.4 on user- centred evaluation of adaptivity; in WP6 the case studies; in WP7 evaluation; in WP8 dissemination and exploitation and WP9 management.

People involved:

Dr. Daniela Petrelli (meSch Project Coordinator) is Reader in Interaction Design. She has a PhD in Interaction Design, an Italian High Degree (Laurea) in Computer Science, a Fine Art Diploma, and an extensive experience in social research.
Dr. Ian Gwilt is a Professor of Design and Visual Communication. In the last 15 years he has shown interactive installations and digital work at a number of international new media events, galleries and exhibitions.
Prof. David Cotterrell, professor of Fine Arts, is an installation artist working across varied media including video, audio, interactive media, artificial intelligence, device control and hybrid technology.
Helen Grantham is the meSch Senior Administrator; she has vast experience in supporting EU funded projects of all kinds and holds qualifications in project management and a degree in Business and Management from Sheffield Hallam University.
Melanie Levick-Parkin is a Senior Lecturer in Advertising and Graphic Design. An art-director by trade, she has taught Advertising & Graphic Design on a variety of programmes for the past ten years and is interested in how service design & creative strategies can be put to use for the wider good. She is further exploring Art & Design pedagogic research as part of her doctoral studies.
Dr. Mark T. Marshall is a Research Associate on the meSch project. His main research interests are in the development and application of novel interface technologies to new domains. His work has included the creation of new interfaces for areas such as medicine, education, music performance and interactive television.

b) CCRC – Communication and Computing Research Centre

The Communication and Computing Research Centre (CCRC) at the Cultural, Communication and Computing Research Institute is concerned with analysing the nature of effective communication, exploring the use and design of technology, and investigating research issues common to these areas of study.

Role in the project: WP1 – T1.1; WP6 supporting the case studies; WP7 evaluation; WP8 dissemination.

People involved:

Dr Luigina Ciolfi is a Reader in Communication and has been involved for 15 years in international research on cultural heritage technologies, participation in design and interaction in place. She holds a Laurea (summa cum laude) in Communication Sciences (Univ. of Siena, Italy), and a PhD in Computer Science/Interaction Design (UL).

c) Design Futures

Design Futures and its consultancy staff operate as a discrete unit within Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) delivering packaging design and product design research to industry.

Role in the project: WP2 user-centred testing of tangible technology; WP3 sensors tracking; WP6 use case design and creation.

People involved:

Nick Dulake is a senior product designer at Design Futures. He has extensive experience in product design for industry, taking many products through from concept design to production, from one-off and low volume products to mass produced goods.