European Researchers’ Night: Wearables, Media Opera, Biometrics

POELTEN, Austria, June 16, 2011 -

“FIT for
research“. The unique combination is
Austria‘s contribution to European
Researchers‘ Night 2011.

The European Researchers’ Night is a central pillar of the
European commitment to spark enthusiasm for research. Many
institutions apply to participate. This year, St. Pölten University
of Applied Sciences, together with PR&D, an international PR
agency for Research & Education, managed to convince with their
ideas: state-of-the-art media technologies make it possible to
experience research results that surround us with all senses.
Music, dance and cooking will take centre stage along with
electronic wearables, audiovisual animations and intelligent
biometrics.

Co-Director of St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, Dr
Gabriela Fernandes, comments on the ideas: “Our research focuses on
application. Therefore it is highly relevant to the general public.
It is ideal for awakening enthusiasm for research.”

The central idea of the evening is reflected in the title “FIT
for research”. Research makes you fit for life. Wearables represent
a salient example of this - clothing with added functionality. This
is a field of research with which St. Pölten University of Applied
Sciences is increasingly attracting attention. On 23 September, for
instance, all scientists will sport wearables that can transmit
information about their work to visitors’ mobile phones. And that’s
not all! Clothing that changes colour according to the surroundings
and lederhosen with an electronic beat will also be
shown.

“At many stations, guests will experience how research makes you
fit”, Dr Frederick Baker explains. He is a lecturer at St. Pölten
University of Applied Sciences and works at the Museum of
Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Cambridge in the
UK. “We will present our research in a new fashion and connect
science and culture.”

One way of doing this will be Dr Baker’s media opera “Pitoti -
Echoes of the Echoes”. This work is based on 4,000-year-old World
Heritage listed rock engravings. At St. Pölten University of
Applied Sciences, the motion patterns of the static figures are
reanimated using dance, 2D and 3D design and even given a new sound
dimension.

Dr Till C. Jelitto, Managing Partner of the agency PR&D -
Public Relations for Research & Education, adds: “Our ideas
reflect science communication for the 21^st century.
Indeed, we have moved away from a schoolmasterly presentation of
research into a world of experiences, created by the research
itself. Research is a natural part of our lives, and that is how it
should be perceived.”

Information: www.fit-fuer-forschung.eu

Jacqueline Bogdanovic
T +43-1-505-70-44
E bogdanovic@prd.at
www.prd.at

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