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.

White Space Solutions creative expansion

White Space Solutions is delighted to announce its creative team is increasing.

As well as offering bespoke TV, audio and web services, White Space Solutions can now add graphic design and cultural projects to its ever expanding portfolio.

The ever busy production team is also enjoying growth with colleagues from filming, audio, photography and production management backgrounds coming on board.

This exceptional blend of talent is housed under one roof at the University of Abertay Dundee, providing a greater array of services for all our clients whether commercial, academic or charity based.

Our commitment to delivering excellence to all our clients is affirmed with these latest moves which are expected bring much success over the coming year.

White Space Solutions - the journey begins.

New students, new talent

White Space is ready and waiting for the new intake of students here at the University of Abertay Dundee. In less than a week, the campus will be filled by enthusiastic first years, all eager to put their best foot forward.

In White Space they will find excellent computer facilities, an audio studio, HIVE and all the support they could ask for from the many services resident in the facility. We are all looking forward to working with the new faces over the coming years as they explore new horizons in research while embracing the concept of breaking barriers between disciplines.

Drop in, find out, chill out.

White Space Official Opening - video

Since the official opening of White Space by Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond, things have certainly gathered apace.

Dare to be Digital participants flooded the area with their creative and competitive ideas, our resident Phd students are making great use of HIVE and more Abertay staff are realising the many wonderful benefits of collaborative work in this ground breaking environment.

The very essence of White Space is captured in presentations by our Principal Professor Bernard King and the First Minister. We hope you enjoy the video.

Dare to Be Olympic

Professor Lachlan MacKinnon will be making a guest appearance at the Beijing Olympics. In a virtual sense. Abertay's Head of Computing and Creative Technologies filmed an address in White Space, talking about the importance of international collaboration within academia, the Olympics and the development of the creative industries both globally and locally.

The White Space concept is a key theme throughout Professor MacKinnon's message. Traditional teaching methods are linked with novel concepts which prepare graduates for industry. Set against the backdrop of the White Space facility, this presentation is sure to inspire as well as inform the audience.

The film, due to be shown at the Olympic Digital Arts Exhibition, was captured by the resident Digital Media team who successfully sent the final footage to colleagues in China for all to enjoy.