Liveness, collaboration and sustainability in immersive audiovisual performance

This Research & Knowledge Exchange Doctoral Project brief summarises our priority areas of research interest under the heading of: Liveness, collaboration and sustainability in immersive audiovisual performance

We welcome all research degree applications aligned with and in response to this brief.

Project brief details

This doctoral research project investigates how real-time audiovisual practices consider immersion, liveness, collaboration and sustainability. Audiovisual performance now has an established lineage as exemplified by artists and organisations such as Ryoji Ikeda, Alva Noto/Carsten Nikolai, Telenoika and Marshmallow Laser Feast. Recent books on audiovisual composition and performance (Harris 2022, Gibson 2023, Payling 2024) have contributed to a growing body of literature. As immersive audiovisual technologies and practices have matured, the discussion has evolved to also prioritise areas such as content, process and audience interaction. The related concept of liveness has also evolved to include aspects such as human/machine presence, interactivity and audience understanding (Sanden 2013, Auslander 2023).

This practice-research project will involve the creation of audiovisual performances and/or installations through the use of technologies such as LiDAR, volumetric video capture and ambisonics. The project will investigate areas such as how audiovisual performances demonstrate liveness when combining human and mediatised elements, how immersion is achieved by technological and non-technological means, how audiovisual work promotes collaboration and interdisciplinarity - and how environmental impact is considered through process, content, portability, site-adaptivity and data usage.

Strategic alignment

Projects deriving from this brief are expected to sit within the Research & Knowledge Exchange strategy and the following Department.

Centre	Centre for Blended Realities
Department	Academy of Music & Theatre Arts

All successful research degree project proposals must emphasise a clear alignment between the project idea and our Research & Knowledge Exchange strategy.

Project brief leads

Project supervisor: Dr Simon Waite

Si Waite is a songwriter, producer and educator. He has written, recorded and performed as a solo artist (National Trevor) and in bands (including Captain Yange). A trained vocalist, guitarist, percussionist and technologist, Si established the participatory arts organisation Planet Sound in 1998. He went on to work as a freelance artist for Youth Music and Creative Partnerships and as a part-time lecturer. He gained his Masters at Keele University and became a full-time member of staff at Staffordshire University in 2011.
Si joined Falmouth University in 2019 and in the same year completed his PhD at De Montfort University.

Apply for a Research MPhil or PhD

We welcome all research degree applications aligned with this Doctoral Project brief. To apply in response to this brief or learn about the application process click the button below.

Apply for a Research Degree