The InVEnTA project uses advances in geospatial and visualisation technology to develop free-roaming interactive virtual environments. The project is run by Steve, Anne, and myself who are all Geographers with expertise in spatial data and Glaciology. Before the start of term we hosted the International Glaciology Society British Branch meeting and so as part of the programme included a poster about the InVEnTA tool. The poster is shown below and this blog is a summary of potential collaborations and initial reactions of the project:
Many of the talks (see the programme and abstract map) that were researching ice margins required high resolution elevation models. There were various techniques explained on how these were created including Tom Chudley’s UAV work and Joe Mallalieau using automated time lapse arrays. Both of these outputs could import into the InVEnTA tool and their research could be showcased in an immersive environment.
Lonely hearts advert at the #IGSBBM2018 ❤️ which method answered the ad?……. Automated time lapse array 📷 great work Joseph Mallalieu 👊 pic.twitter.com/nof3nmOQSX
— IGS British Branch Meeting, Exeter 2018 (@igsbbm2018) September 4, 2018
Probably the most novel of datasets that we discussed for collaboration was Rob Bingham’s Pine Island Glacier bed elevation datasets. Rob’s response to my inquiry was,
“this would be great! How do we start?”
Discussion in the poster session and throughout the conference was very positive and has provided motivation for the next steps of the project. The consensus was that research projects in Geography which create high resolution topographic data-sets lend themselves for use in InVEnTA. There was particular enthusiasm of its use to increase research impact and engagement. The InVEnTA team are now working on developing the tool to be able to ingest models of varying data types to increase uptake and ease of compatibility further. Over the summer we have identified a way of exporting elevation models for anywhere on the earth using Esri’s City Engine tool. We have a clear way of creating immersive environments in Physical Geography. We need to widen our collaborations to include colleagues who are interested in using the tool in other disciplines. Many taught concepts relate to phenomena or ideas that occur at spatial and temporal scales that present a challenge for visualisation – from the inner workings of human body cells (or DNA, or anatomy) to the dynamics of colliding galaxies, and from timescales of subatomic particle interactions to multiple ice-age cycles. If you would like to know more or want to explore how you may collaborate with the team then get in touch on twitter @UoE_Inventa or send me an email D.T.Mansell@exeter.ac.uk
Incubator Uncategorized Education Higher Education Pedagogy Project