Our research project aims to bring together children’s literature authors and/or illustrators with 3D artists to work in teams to create 3D picturebook prototypes. This creative work will be realised via an online ‘hackathon’ to be held from the 25^th – 29^th November 2021. The results of the hackathon will be showcased to publishers in 2022.

Prize: £2,500 prize fund!

Every participating team gets £400 - £500 on completion of the Hack.

Winning team gets additional £500.

Brief: Work within teams (formed on day 1 of hack) to develop a 3D version of a picturebook. The submission must be made in the edify platform (access supplied, no experience necessary). Teams will be composed of at least one storyteller, and at least two 3D artists. The hack duration is 3 days but is spread over a weekend to allow extra flexibility for those with caring responsibilities.

Seeking 3D Artists: We need 3D artists for this hack! The task will be to prepare 3D elements of scenes which can be assembled and manipulated in edify. A broad range of authoring tools can be used. Access to your own software and computer are assumed. You can be based anywhere to take part! Those based locally will have the opportunity to visit the University of Glasgow VR Lab on the final day of the hack and see the completed story in VR.

See the video below for an introductory video.

To apply:

Applications are open until 10th November 2021. Submit here.

We will inform applicants of outcome by 12th November 2021.

Organisers: Julie McAdam, Lavinia Hirsu, Neil McDonnell

The advent of mainstream Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) devices marks the beginning of a new technological revolution. VR can make users feel like they genuinely went somewhere and did something that they did not, perhaps could not, in the non-virtual world. AR, on the other hand, will bring the data we know from our screens into the world around us – twitter feeds will hover beside their owners, virtual art and TVs will hang on our walls, and directions will appear on the world we are trying to navigate.

The philosophical questions raised in relation to these immersive technologies are many. The Glasgow Workshop on AR and VR in 2017 (generously supported by the SPA), addressed issues in metaphysics, mind, and epistemology such as: Are virtual objects genuinely real? Are they genuinely valuable? Can we genuinely perceive in VR? Can we genuinely learn through VR? Several papers from that conference are forthcoming in the Special Issue of Disputatio centred on Chalmers’ “The Virtual and The Real” (2017).

The moral and political questions concerning the immersive technologies remain underexplored however, and yet are already the subject of a current Parliamentary Committee (“Immersive and addictive technologies”). Our proposed workshop will address questions around the issue of Autonomy and Immersive Technology. Sample questions in this domain might include whether any autonomy gained within VR genuinely valuable, whether the nudging that is possible through AR a step-change from existing varieties, and what the impact will be for non-users of AR/VR enhancements in a society where they are commonplace.

Caring responsibilities:

Thanks to generous support from the Scots Philosophical Association, we have funds to help support those with caring responsibilities which would hinder their ability to participate. If this applies to you, please contact Neil McDonnell.

Registration:

Registration is free, but there is limited capacity. Please register through eventbrite at the following link:

Eventbrite Registration