Introduction
Each year the DHI hosts a series of talks by business leaders who have created and run some of the UK’s leading technology and new media project in the cultural industries. It is an opportunity for you to hear their ideas, and share their journeys and experiences in a series of in-person talks at the University.
How can technology and new media produce innovation in the arts, humanities and cultural sectors? What are the business opportunities? What is the role of research? How do you turn an idea into a successful project or business start-up? Each of our speakers is the visionary behind a project or company that Innovate UK considers to be disruptive and transformational within the cultural industries.
The talks cover a diverse range of topics, including immersive theatre, an online studio for contemporary dance, 3D virtual musicians, 3D virtual fashion, the metaverse, eXtended Reality, NFTs, digital creativity, and interactive storytelling using AI.
Each talk is intended to inform and inspire, opening up possibilities for knowledge sharing and collaboration. The talks are hosted as part of the DHI’s two MA programmes: Digital Culture & Communication, and Cultural Data Management & Communication.
The events are open to DHI students, staff and ECRs from other departments. Entry is free.
Further information about each speaker is available here:
https://www.dhi.ac.uk/business-leader-talks/
Business Leader Talk 1 (13th February, The Diamond Building LT1, 3pm-5pm)
Rebecca Gadsby, Inside Theatre
Beck Gadsby is the founder of Inside Theatre (http://insidetheatre.co.uk/). She is a theatre director and entrepreneur specialising in classics, children’s shows and live events that require a big imagination. In 2016 Beck began a journey to create her own work. Inspired by an installation at Quad arts centre, by Japanese artists, Team Lab. The interactive projection inspired Beck to research digital technology and how it could be used to enhance storytelling in the theatre.
You do not need to prepare for this seminar.
Business Leader Talk 2 (20th February, The Diamond Building LT1, 3pm-5pm)
Jessica Symons, Visioning Lab
Visioning Lab (https://www.visioninglab.com/) is run by Dr Jessica Symons and her team working with a wide network of advisors, artists, technologists, producers and engagers. Jessica set up Visioning Lab to help people develop their creative digital potential, bringing 25 years of digital and social entrepreneurship and 10 years as an anthropologist.
You do not need to prepare for this seminar.
Business Leader Talk 3 (5th March, The Diamond Building LT1, 3pm-5pm)
Candide Kirk, Novellic
Candide Kirk is the founder of Novellic (https://novellic.com), the mobile app for readers where users can join book clubs, track reading goals, manage their bookshelves, and receive personal recommendations from a community of fellow book lovers. Candide is also the co-founder of Quirkat, a video game development studio with over 20 years of experience in digital product design and production.
You do not need to prepare for this seminar.
Business Leader Talk 4 (12th March, The Diamond Building LT1, 3pm-5pm)
Sarah Coward, In The Room
Sarah Coward is a founder and CEO with a passion for using technology to inspire audiences with human stories. She established In The Room (https://hereintheroom.com/) to enable people to connect with remarkable people from all walks of life – integrating voice recognition and machine learning techniques to allow you to have conversations with people you will never get to meet.
You do not need to prepare for this seminar.
Business Leader Talk 5 (16th April, The Diamond Building LT1, 3pm-5pm)
Michael Millea, Selene XR
Michael Millea is the Chief Technology Officer of Selene XR (https://www.selenexr.com/), a fashion tech company that creates digital twins and digital fashion through the application of tools originally developed for use in the games and special effects industries.
You do not need to prepare for this seminar.