Shooting for success

Paul Robertson tests the simulator with a volunteer

Paul Robertson has to be one of the luckiest PhD students. Not only is he following his academic dreams but he is doing so by using a hi-tech environment to help police officers improve their decision making. In effect, he is making a shoot 'em up game for grown ups.

The seriousness of this research in the White Space HIVE cannot be overlooked. When faced with a potentially dangerous situation involving firearms, our police forces have to make split second decisions. If that decision is incorrect, the consequences can be fatal.

There is more to this research than deciding whether or not to shoot. Various tests are being carried out to uncover how those crucial decisions are made. Volunteers step into the shoes of those in the front line and their reactions recorded for future use.

Using a blend of pyschology and computer generated environments, Paul Robertson's PhD is as colourful as his hair and is likely to lead to ground breaking results. Anyone who ever thought playing games was a waste of time can certainly think again. If all goes well, Paul could be responsible for helping police make quick fire decisions with confidence and regain the trust of the ever sceptical public.

BBC Prototype finds success in White Space

Iain Donald discusses ideas with a student

Students involved in the BBC Prototype experience are getting to grips with life in the industry.
Prototype is intended as a hothouse, innovation studio, bringing together Abertay University, BBC Scotland and commercial games developers and start-ups in Tayside and beyond, to design and develop new interactive products, technologies and games aimed primarily at engaging with future audiences and online communities.

Teams work between Pacific Quay in Glasgow and here in Abertay's White Space facility where a full time co-ordinator keeps everyone on track. The talented teams include practitioners, technologists and senior academics.

White Space is class act

Sean Brown and students

The start of this year sees a welcome return by our students. White Space is busy with preparation BBC Prototype projects and filming for Dare to be Digital promotions.



Also taking advantage of the White Space no walls philosophy is Sean Brown from Biosciences. He believed the open plan floor was the ideal venue for guiding his students through genome research. The choice of teaching zones within White Space are perfect for both large and, in this case, small group teaching. By projecting on to one of the presentation curves, Sean discussed the lecture with his students, undisturbed by the many activities underway all around.

White Space is unique as it offers an immersive environment where a variety of projects can take place without interupting eachother. If anything, the open area allows colleagues to observe activities and share ideas to enhance the innovative work.