News & Events

Concept Null’s mission is to establish new media art as a recognised artform in Ireland and help grow and nurture a community of artists, technicians, enthusiasts and facilitators that embody a voice of Irish new media art. We organise and host meetups that offer a space for artists to share their work and process with others in the community. On September 6th we are very pleased to be bringing our art and technology meetup to the Centre for Creative Technology along with Culture Works, who both are making this possible for all of us. For this one we want to uncover some of the works that are being made by digital / new-media artists in and around Galway, so we are looking for artists that would like to share their work with others in their community. As always, this event is free to attend. This event is open to everyone but space is limited so make sure to RSVP. Further details and registration are available at: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/cybernate-x-concept-null-meetup-05-tickets-981861864267

As part of the 2024 , run in collaboration with Ardán and Galway Culture Company, we are delighted to welcome Cordula Hansen and James Gilna to the Centre for Creative Technologies. Cordula and James are the Co-Founders of  XYZ Technical Art Services GmbH, a studio specialising in virtual art department services, virtual production, and concept development, based near Cologne in Germany. During their time at the Centre for Creative Technologies, Cordula and James are running a series of , which offer the creative community in Galway the opportunity to meet to share skills and experiences. In addition to knowledge-sharing, throughout the residency their aim is to conduct research and development into workflows related to Virtual Production that are particularly tailored toward independent film makers.  Details of the free workshop and open studio events, along with links to register to attend, can be found on the .

Watch a recording of this session from the Masterclass Series run by the Centre for Creative Technologies.     Much has been written about the power of virtual reality to put the viewer in someone else’s shoes and increase empathy towards those who experience social marginalization. However the wave of humanitarian VR films that have been produced in recent years has also raised questions about who gets to tell their stories and on whose terms they are invited to speak. Whilst viewers of virtual reality films can find themselves transported to a Syrian refugee camp or a slum in Kenya, critics have argued that such films act less as challenges to inequalities than as a form of misery tourism. The Immersive Empathy Project is an initiative of researchers within the disciplines of film, drama, psychology, business and digital humanities at the University of Galway that responds to both the potential and the criticisms of immersive reality as a tool for social change. Working with clients of Galway Simon who have experienced homelessness, it situates the principles of co-creation and consent at the heart of its storytelling process. Over the course of several months, it involved a series of workshops that empowered the participants to tell their own stories and to translate those personal narratives into an immersive film, Lost & Found, exploring the experience of homelessness from the perspective of those who have lived it. This masterclass will introduce participants to the methodologies employed on the Immersive Empathy project along with some of the ethical questions raised by socially engaged research.

University of Galway COLLEGE OF ARTS, SOCIAL SCIENCES, AND CELTIC STUDIESDOCTORAL RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP PhD in Creative Technologies Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a PhD fellowship in Creative Technologies in the College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies at the University of Galway, available from 1 September 2024 for four years, subject to satisfactory progress. Context The Centre for Creative Technologies supports research and teaching activities that explore, analyse, and develop new links between creative practice and technology, including in such areas as Extended Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Creativity and Virtual Production. These activities draw on existing strengths across the College of Arts in the creative arts, especially in such areas as Digital Media, Film, Music, Theatre Studies, and Writing as well as its strong relationships with the creative community in the western region and beyond PhD researchers within the Centre for Creative Technologies work to investigate emerging trends in the overlap between creativity and technology, both in professional practice and academic research. Successful applicants will pursue research towards a PhD in Creative Technologies whilst participating in workshops and doctoral training designed to enhance the participant’s research capacity in the field. Proposals are particularly welcome for projects that combine critical enquiry or social science methods with technological and artistic practice to pursue original research questions in this field. Proposal are welcome in any relevant areas of PhD research, especially (but not exclusively) in the areas outlined below: Equality, diversity and inclusion in the design and use of creative technologies Virtual/augmented reality and live performance Creative arts, technology, and health/well-being Creative arts, technology, and social inclusion Extended reality and placemaking Using creative arts and technology in primary and/or post-primary education. Technology and the production/performance/reception of music, including spatial audio Sustainability and technology in the creative industries, including virtual production processes Hacking, digital making and the circular economy Augmented creativity and writing The philosophy of technology and creativity Affect and immersive art The ethics of AI art For initial enquiries, please contact conn.holohan@universityofgalway.ie. Research Environment The College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies consists of eight Schools that are at the cutting edge of theory and practice in the wide range of subjects offered within our taught and research programmes. Successful applicants will have direct access to numerous peers engaged in wide-ranging research, funded by the IRC, ERC, Marie Curie, SFI and other schemes. The College acts as a partner and a champion for much of the creative arts within the city and enjoys formal partnerships with organisations such as Druid Theatre, Galway International Arts Festival, and the Abbey Theatre, among others. It is equally well known for its work in Coastal and Marine Environments and researchers in this area are currently leading a suite of EU-funded projects around sustainability. Application Details To apply for the post, please send the following information: Academic Awards or Scholarships received (max 300 words) Details of your previous research experience (max 500 words) Personal Research Statement: Please write a brief statement (max 1000 words),   outlining your interest in and suitability for a scholarship and the selected research area(s). Describe your research question, aims and objective, theoretical/conceptual framework, methodology, research plan and relationship of the project to existing research.  Please also indicate your motivation for pursuing a PhD on this research topic and why you are particularly suited to this research programme. Please provide any other relevant information (max 500 words) Name and contact details for TWO people who have agreed to write references for you. Please also include a CV (max two pages) which provides information about your educational qualifications, prior research and/or practice-based experience, and any other relevant information. Essential Selection Criteria A primary degree and/or MA/MSc in any of the following areas: Creative Arts / Arts Practice; Digital Humanities; Computer Science; Engineering; Education; Literary Studies; Modern Languages (with an emphasis on comparative cultural studies and/or translation); Philosophy; Social Sciences; or a related area. Evidence of an ability to carry out independent research A demonstrable interest in the overlaps between creativity and technology A clear and compelling statement of the new research angle to be developed as part of this project Desirable Selection Criteria A postgraduate qualification in a relevant area Professional experience in creativity and/or technology Experience of working as part of a research team Closing date for applications: 29th March 2024, 5pm (GMT). After shortlisting, interviews will take place in April 2024.  Candidates will be notified of the outcome in May 2024 with studies to commence in September 2024.   TERMS AND CONDITIONS 2024 The College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies (CASSCS) at University of Galway is pleased to offer this scholarship to support full-time PhD research within the PhD programmes of the CASSCS.     The scholarships will be awarded in line with the objectives and criteria as laid out above. Applicants are advised to carefully read these Terms and Conditions in advance of submitting an application to ensure their eligibility under the Scheme. Applications that do not comply with the Terms and Conditions will be deemed ineligible. 1.         Duration The scholarship will be awarded for a maximum period of four years. 2.         Value The maximum value of an individual Scholarship award is €27,026 per annum, from which a student levy and fees of €5,026 will be paid. The balance of €22,000 will be paid in a monthly stipend of €1833.33.  Students will be liable to pay the student levy of €140 themselves.  A successful candidate from a non-EU country will be entitled to apply for an International Merit Scholarship to cover the non-EU portion of their fee. 3.         Classification of Scholarship Payments Scholarships are officially classified as a ‘scholarship’ and hence do not attract Tax or Social Insurance. The recipient is not an employee of the University. 4.         Eligibility The minimum qualification for the award of a scholarship is a primary degree from a recognised institution in a relevant discipline. Applicants must have an established proficiency in English or in Irish.  For applicants whose first language is not English or Irish, a language proficiency assessment may be required. 5.      Conditions of Tenure a. Successful applicants to this scheme will be designated as a Doctoral Research Scholar and will register in the structured PhD programme of the CASSCS, University of Galway before the Scholarship can be drawn down. b. Registration will take place in September 2024. If registration is not completed on the due date, then the scholarship offer may be withdrawn. c. Scholarships will be awarded for four years, according to the original date of the applicant’s registration for the PhD degree, and based on satisfactory progress being confirmed each year by the student’s GRC. d. The scholarship will automatically cease on the submission of the Scholar’s PhD thesis, if this occurs within the four-year period. e. The scholarship is valid for the year in which it is awarded or renewed. Under general circumstances the scholarship may not be deferred or otherwise interrupted, without reasonable cause. Where particular situations arise that necessitate temporary leave of absence, they shall be verified and notified to the GRC, and approved by the Dean of the CASSCS. f. Should a Scholar be unable for any reason (including medical reasons) to pursue studies in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the scholarship, the Scholar and/or his/her supervisor is required to inform the Dean of the CASSCS within two weeks of such a situation coming to the Scholar’s attention. The Dean of the CASSCS, on appropriate advice, reserves the right to withdraw or suspend the Scholarship. g. A Scholar may wish to terminate the scholarship for personal, professional or other reasons. This should not be done without prior consultation with the GRC and Dean of the CASSCS, as it may involve reimbursement by the Scholar to the CASSCS if the Scholar is unable to justify the funding received up to the date of termination. h. All publications, presentations and publicity associated with or arising from the research undertaken by the Scholar while in receipt of the Doctoral Research Scholarship must contain the following acknowledgement ‘Funding received from the Centre for Creative Technologies, College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies, University of Galway.’ i. At the earliest possible opportunity during the tenure of a scholarship, the Scholar will be required to prepare one, or if necessary two, application(s), under the guidance and advice of the supervisor, for external research funding under the Irish Research Council (IRC) Post-Graduate Scholarship Scheme, if eligible to do so. j. The holder may not be the holder simultaneously of any other scholarship or fellowship. k. The Doctoral Research Scholarships will be awarded only to full-time registered students who will engage full-time in research during the period of the scholarship. The recipients of the scholarships are expected to be normally present in the university for the duration of the programme. Should Scholars wish to take a prolonged absence from the university, s/he must apply for permission using Form GS 090, which is available on the Graduate Studies website. l. The Doctoral Research Scholarship is held subject to these Terms and Conditions. If any of the above is breached by a scholarship holder, the CASSCS will suspend or terminate the Scholarship and/or will require the Scholar to reimburse the College for such payments that have already been made. m. The successful applicant will be required to sign a form of consent under the Data Protection Act 1988 in relation to records on data concerning his/her registration status, academic record and scholarship payment details. n. The award of a Doctoral Research Scholarship is made subject to receipt of funding from various sources. In the event of such funding being reduced or being discontinued the CASSCS, the National University of Ireland Galway or their agents will not be under any liability to provide funding or to compensate a Scholar for any reduction or cessation of such funding. o. In cases where ethical issues may arise from the research, applicants will be asked to provide a written statement to the effect that full consideration has been given to the ethical implications of the research proposal. In such cases, the successful application will require the approval of the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Galway prior to confirmation of the Scholarship Award. p. In accepting a Doctoral Research Scholarship, successful applicants must also agree to accept the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme. Correspondence on this will not be entered into once an award has been accepted. q. In the event that a scholarship recipient fails to comply fully with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, the CASSCS reserves the right to revoke the Scholarship award. r. If a scholarship holder does not attend for a scheduled meeting with his/her GRC without reasonable cause, or if his/her GRC are unhappy with the progress being made on the research project, the GRC can recommend that stipend payments be suspended forthwith. 6. Application Process Applicants are required to submit a Cover Letter, application and CV (including two named referees) to centrecreativetechnologies@universityofgalway.ie by 5pm, (GMT) Friday, 29th March 2024. 7. Selection Process The award will be made by the CASSCS on the recommendation of the Research Programme’s Assessment Panel.    The selection process is strictly confidential, and representations may not be made on behalf of applicants. Note: Late or incomplete applications or applications that do not fully adhere to the Terms and Conditions of this scheme will be deemed ineligible. The College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies at University of Galway reserves the right to alter the Conditions of Tenure of the Scholarship at any time.

The Centre for Creative Technologies at University of Galway, in collaboration with the Galway Simon Community, is excited to launch Lost & Found on Wednesday November 22nd at 7pm, as part of the Arts in Action programme. Lost & Found is a co-created, virtual reality film produced in collaboration with clients from the Galway Simon Community. This 360 degree film captures and conveys the experience of homelessness from the perspective of those who have lived it. Co-created by clients of Galway Simon, leading virtual reality filmmakers, and researchers from the University of Galway as part of the Immersive Empathy project, the film was developed through a process of oral history interviews and collaborative workshops and shot over two days in Galway. You are invited to join us at 7pm on November 22nd in the O’Donoghue Theatre for a discussion with the film’s creators, followed by the opportunity to watch the film on a VR headset.

University of Galway has officially launched its newest research unit - the Centre for Creative Technologies. The aim of the new centre is to foster and support research and teaching activities that explore and develop links between creative practice and technology and creativity as a principle and practice that extends beyond the arts.  Building on the University’s strong relationships with the creative community in the western region and beyond, including the Strategic Education Partnerships with Galway International Arts Festival and Druid, the Centre for Creative Technologies will explore the impact on the traditional creative industries of rapid technological change in areas such as immersive reality, artificial intelligence and virtual production processes.  The Centre’s newly launched PhD in Creative Technologies brings together research that combines critical enquiry with technological and artistic practice to investigate important developments in this field. University of Galway President Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh officially launched the Centre for Creative Technologies at a special event on campus in the O’Donoghue Centre on Thursday September 21, 2023.  Professor Ó hÓgartaigh said: “University of Galway, our city and our region all have strong bonds with the world of the arts and creativity. These ties have afforded us opportunities that enable our university to grow and develop in special ways, in line with our values of openness, excellence and sustainability. The new Centre for Creative Technologies is symbolic of that and we wish every success to all of those who will tap into this important research entity and the new opportunities it brings.” Professor Rebecca Braun, Dean of the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, said: “The Centre for Creative Technologies is an exciting initiative that will support research and teaching initiatives that explore the intersections between creative practice and technology within and beyond the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies. It draws on existing strengths in the areas of creativity across the College and will support the kind of interdisciplinary research needed to tackle the key societal challenges we face today.” University of Galway Vice-President Research and Innovation Professor Jim Livesey said: “We are living at a time when the pace and scale of change in the world of technology is seismic. Now we have an exciting opportunity to harness some of that in the areas of research, teaching and learning by bringing together bright minds in an environment which promotes excellence across our academic disciplines.”  Conn Holohan, Director of the Centre for Creative Technologies at University of Galway, said: “We look forward to supporting exciting collaborations between researchers, industry and artists that explore the many ways that creativity and technology intersect with our daily lives.” The Centre for Creative Technologies is the first research centre of its kind in Ireland, exploring the intersection of creativity and technology across disciplines from within the traditions of the arts.  As creative engagement with technology is an increasingly central element of our responses to global challenges, the centre will enable researchers, academics and those involved in the arts to bring their expertise and insight to a diverse range of areas of activity, from healthcare to manufacturing to the societal responses to climate change.  Ahead of the launch of the Centre for Creative Technologies, James Riordan, Brú Theatre, took on a two week Digital Artist-in-Residence where he and his interdisciplinary artist collaborators explored opportunities for technology and creativity, including showcasing the centre's new technologies such as augmented reality virtual reality and motion capture.