Research Seminar in Preparation for joint RAE Submission

Monday 27th November 2006

Researchers from the National Centre for Product Design Development Research (PDR) and the Cardiff School of Art & Design (CSAD) at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) met with researchers from the Newport School of Art, Media and Design (NSAMD), University of Wales, Newport (UWN) for a joint research seminar. The event was held at a hired venue situated conveniently for both institutions and was hailed as a great success. Professor Robert Brown, Pro Vice Chancellor of Research at UWIC said of the event "this was a tremendously encouraging display of the way in which research has reached the top of the agenda in both institutions. Around 80 researchers attended this event, the purpose of which was to build on the successes we have had with joint ventures such as the Smart Clothes and Wearable Technologies research group which is jointly run by PDR & NSAMD".

UWN & UWIC have been working collaboratively for some time and the Smart Clothes and Wearable Technologies research group is a good example of how this relationship has cultivated new and groundbreaking strands of research. Smart Clothes sits on the crossroads between fashion (in which UWN are expert), textiles, and product design (in both of which UWIC have expertise). The group examines the role of wearable technology and its deployment in the creation of near market prototypes. It also examines motivations and commercial possibilities in areas such as sport and fitness, corporate wear and inclusive design. Informed by advances in the application of technical textiles, micro-technologies and new manufacturing techniques, the multi-disciplinary team is developing a shared language through collaboration in the research and development of innovative smart clothing that addresses end-user needs from technical, aesthetic and cultural view points.

A wealth of other research interests and experience exists with each of the partners including computer games design, photography, fine art, performance and screen media, history and theory of art, design and media, ceramics, painting, work based learning, creative teaching, textiles, construction studies, applied signals processing, sensory design research, the social role of design, engineering education, printmaking, design policy and promotional support, eco design, product development, user awareness, product design and development, and medical applications.

Last year the two Universities ran a series of small events where researchers from each institution presented their work to peers. The concept of that series of seminars was to stimulate interaction and debate across disciplines and institutions. Given the success of those events, both universities have now bought into the idea that for Welsh research in Art & Design to prosper it will need to build a critical mass that neither institution will be able to muster alone. The event on the 27th was the start of the formal process of aligning and consolidating the work of the two ahead of both the 2008 RAE and longer term formal agreements. Anne Carlisle, Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) at UWN says: "This event was the first chance we have had to assemble all the Art & Design research work from both institutions and to look for strategic synergies. Our vision is that this new initiative will develop a series of collaborations and consolidations which produce a strong body of subject-focused research".

By establishing a structure for open dialogue between collaborative partners, the expectation is that there will be numerous opportunities for new and groundbreaking strands of research that build on the strengths of each of the partners. In short, the whole should be greater than the sum of the parts. Both parties see this collaboration as the start of a bigger venture that might eventually include other interested institutions from across Wales.