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Barrass, Assoc. Prof. Stephen

stephen barass

Associate Professor, Media Arts & Production
Faculty of Arts & Design

Bldg, Floor & Room: 9, C2
Telephone: (02) 6201 2945
Facsimile: (02) 6201 5300
Stephen.Barrass@canberra.edu.au

Biography

Stephen Barrass is an Associate Professor in Digital Design and Media Arts at the University of Canberra. His thesis on Auditory Information Design is among the most influential works in data sonification, and other contributions to the field include design patterns, psychoacoustic methods, acoustic sonifications, and the open source Mozzi sonification synthesiser. After completing his Ph.D. Stephen took up a postdoc in the Virtual Environments group at the Fraunhoffer Institute in Bonn, where he pioneered interactive sonifications for oil and gas exploration and automobile engineering in the Cyberstage Virtual Reality Theatre. He then became involved in interactive storytelling productions for Trade Shows, Exhibitions and Museums, and developed an immersive visualisation of the Pastoral Symphony for the Beethoven Haus Museum, and a VR game for children at the Animax Multimedia Theatre in Bonn.

This experience provided a foundation for the proposal of the immersive Welcome Space to the Gallery of First Australians, which was commissioned for the opening of the National Museum of Australia in 2001. This led to further research and development with leading-edge haptic, audio and augmented reality technologies as a senior researcher in the Interactive Media and Visualisation Systems group at the CSIRO ICT Centre. During this time he organised the International Conference on Auditory Display in Sydney in 2004, which featured the Listening to the Mind Listening concert of Brain Sonifications at the Opera House Studios in 2004. This led to further research on advanced audio interfaces for sports and biofeedback.

Stephen’s practice-led research has been curated for exhibitions that include Animax Discover Virtual Reality in Bonn1999, Graphite Interactive Art Show Melbourne 2003,  Experimenta Prototype in Melbourne 2003, Experimenta House of Tomorrow in Melbourne 2004, Experimenta Vanishing Point in Melbourne 2006, The Sensable Touch Challenge 2006, Media City Seoul 2006, Siggraph Teapot Exhibition in Boston 2007, Experimenta Under the Radar at FACT in Liverpool and the ICA in London 2007, the International Symposium on Electronic Arts (ISEA) in Singapore 2008, Touch at the Maquarie University Gallery in 2008, The Dog in Contemporary Australian Art at Port Maquarie Gallery in 2008, the public concert series at the conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression in Gossens Hall in Sydney 2010, the Sound and Music Computing Symposium in Barcelona 2010, Touch Too exhibition at the UTS in Sydney in 2011,  the International Conference on Auditory Display in Budapest 2011, Embracing Innovation I and 2 at CraftsACT in Canberra in 2010 and 2011, and the Exhibition of the Ambience Conference on Arts and Technology in Sweden in 2011. ZiZi the Affectionate Couch is now in the permanent collection of the Museum of Old and New Art in Tasmania.

Areas of Teaching

  • Bachelor of Media Arts
  • Cross-Media Production
  • Sound Design and Production
  • Creative Projects
  • Masters of Digital Design
  • Design, Interaction, Environment

Ph.D. Completions
Rodwell T. (2010) Art on Mars: a Foundation for ExoArt, Ph.D. in Communication, University of Canberra.
Chang D. (2008) A Gestalt-Taxonomy for Designing Multimodal Information Displays, Ph.D. in Communication, University of Canberra.
Currently Supervising 5 HDR students.

Research Interests

  • Digital Design and Media Arts
  • Data Sonification, Visualisation and Haptics
  • MIxed, Augmented and Virtual Reality,
  • Physical Computing and Personal Fabrication
  • Cultural Interfaces and Multimedia Exhibits
  • Biomimetic Design and Ecological Arts
  • Interfaces for Monitoring Sustainability and Energy
  • Biofeedback in Sports and Fitness
  • Collaborative Creativity and Peer Production

Qualifications Obtained

  • Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, University of Canberra, 2010.
  • PhD in Information Technology, Australian National University, 1997.
  • B.E. (hons) in Electrical Engineering, University of NSW, 1986.


Recent Publications

Book Chapter in a peer-reviewed scholarly book

  • Barrass S. (2012) ZiZi the Affectionate Couch and the Interactive Affect Design Diagram, in Serafin S and Karminovic K (eds) Sonic Interaction Design, MIT Press, in press.
  • Barrass S. and Vickers P. (2011) Sonification Design and Aesthetics, in Hermann H. Hunt A. and Nuehoff J. (eds) The Sonification Handbook, Logos Publishing (Berlin).
  • Barrass S. Schaffert N. and Barrass T. (2011) Exploring Function and Aesthetics in Sonifications for Elite Sports, in Dale R. Burnham D. & Stevens C. (eds), Human Communication Science: A Compendium. ARC Research Network in Human Communication Science, Sydney.
  • Pauletto S. Hug D. Barrass S. and Luckhurst M. (2011) Theatrical Strategies into Sonic Interaction Design, in Rochesso D. (ed.) Explorations in Sonic Interaction Design, European COST action on Sonic Interaction Design, Springer, Berlin.
  • Barrass S. (2007) Interactive Welcome Space for the Gallery of First Australians, in R. Bandt, M. Duffy, & D. MacKinnon (eds.) Hearing Places: Sound, Place, Time and Culture. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, pp. 126- 142.

 Article in a scholarly refereed journal

  • Barrass S. (2012) Digital Fabrication of Acoustic Sonifications, International Journal of the Acoustic Engineering Society, AES, in press.
  • Barrass S. (2012) Sonifications for Concert and Live Performance, AI & Society: Volume 27, Issue 2 (2012), Page 281-283, Springer Press.
  • Barrass S. (2012) The Aesthetic Turn in Sonification Towards a Social and Cultural Medium, AI & Society: Volume 27, Issue 2 (2012), Page 177-181, Springer Press.
  • Barrass S. (2010) All Great Art is Theft: Remixing Creative Content in Teaching Digital Media at University, in TEXT, Number 8, October 2010, Australasian Association of Writing Programs. ISSN 1327-9556, FOR 1904.
  • Bell R. Bartel A. & Barrass S. (2010) A Systematic Method for Describing and Cataloguing Percussive Sounds, Based on Spectral, Temporal and Perceptual Criteria, International Journal of Arts and Sciences, 3(9):240-251. FOR 1902.
  • Barrass S. (2009) Developing the Practice and Theory of Stream-based Sonifications, SCAN Journal of Media Arts Culture, Vol 6, Number 2, September 2009, Macquarie University, ISSN: 1449-1818. FOR 1902.
  • Barrass, S. (2008). Clothing the Homunculus. Journal of Visual Communication, 7(3):317-329. ISSN: 1470-3572, FOR 1905.

 Full written paper – refereed

  • Barrass S. (2011) Physical Sonification Dataforms, Proceedings of the International Conference on Auditory Display, Budapest, 20-24 July, 2011.
  • Schertenlieb A. and Barrass S. (2010) A Social Site for Information Sonification: Many-Ears.com, International Conference on Auditory Display, Washington DC, 9-15 June 2010.
  • Barrass S. Schaffert N and Barrass T. (2010) A pilot study of preferences between six interactive sonifications for sporting activities, in Proceedings of ISon 2010, 3rd Interactive Sonification Workshop, KTH, Stockholm, Sweden, April 7, 2010.
  • Barrass S. and Frauenberger C. (2009) A Collaborative Map of Design in Auditory Display, in the Proceedings of the International Conference on Auditory Display, May 18-22, 2009, Copenhagen.
  • Pauletto S. Hug D. Barrass S. and Luckhurst M. (2009) Integrating Theatrical Strategies into Sonic Interaction Design, in the Proceedings of the AudioMostly Conference on Interaction with Sound, September 2-3, Glasgow Caledonian University.
  • Schaffert N. Mattes K. Barrass S. and Effenberg A.O. (2009) Exploring Function and Aesthetics in Sonifications for Elite Sports, in Proceedings of the International Conference on Music Communication Science, 3-4 December, University of NSW.
  • Barrass, S. and Best, G. (2008). Stream-based Sonification Diagrams. International Conference on Auditory Display.
  • Barrass, S. & Fitzgerald, R. (2008). Social Software: Piloting MyToons As A Digital Learning Community For Teaching New Media. In Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2008 (pp. 4010-4019). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
  • Barrass, S. (2008). Taxtile Nerve Extensions. Proceedings of the IEEE Pervasive 2008 the Sixth International Conference on Pervasive Computing, IEEE Pervasive 2008 the Sixth International Conference on Pervasive Computing, Sydney, NSW, 19-22 May 2008, 1-4
  • Barrass, S. (2008). Fauxy the Fake Fur with Feelings. Proceedings of the 10th Meeting of the International Foundation of Fashion Institutes, 10th Meeting of the International Foundation of fashion Institutes, Melbourne, VIC, 8-11 March 2008, 1-10
  • Barrass, S. (2007). Auditory Streaming in Data Sonification. Special Issue of the Journal Revista de Acustica, International Congress on Acoustics, Madrid Spain 2-7 September 2007, 8.9.1-8.9.8
  • Barrass, S. (2007). Faux Fur Taxtiles. UbiComp Workshop on Transitive Materials, International Conference on Ubiquitous Computing, Innsbruck Austria 16-19 September 2007, 497-500
  • Worrall, D., Bylstra, M., Barrass, S. & Dean, R. (2007). An Extendable Software Framework for Sonification Research and Auditory Display. Proceedings of the International Conference on Auditory Display, International Community on Auditory Display, Montreal Canada 26-29 June 2007, 445-452

ERA Non-Traditional Research
Curated/Peer-reviewed Exhibitions of Practice-led Research

  • Potard G. Barrass S. and Zeller O. (2012) Hibiki 1.0: realtime sonifications of energy usage on the internet of things, Room Installation, in Proceedings of the Conference of the Australasian Computer Music Association (ACMA), Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, Brisbane, July 12-15.
  • Barrass S. (2012) The Shape of the Sound of the Shape of the Sound, in Hare D. (2012), Embracing Innovation Volume 2, CraftsACT Craft and Design Centre, Canberra, 24 May-7 July.
  • Barrass S. (2011) The Sound of One Ear Ringing, in Wersenyi G. (2011) Sonification Concert, International Conference on Auditory Display, Budapest, 20-24 July.
  • Barrass S. (2011) Pouffy the Breathing Pouf, in Exhibition and Proceedings of the Ambience Conference on Art, Technology and Design, University of Boras, Sweden, 28-30 Nov.
  • Barrass S. (2011) Sonic Metaphors for Physical Sonifications, in Exhibition and Proceedings of the Ambience Conference on Art, Technology and Design, University of Boras, Sweden, 28-30 November, 2011.
  • Barrass S. and Barrass T. (2011) Sweatsonics Probe, in Proceedings of the Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression, Oslo, June 2011.
  • Barrass S. (2011) Prototypes of Physical Sonification Dataforms, in Hare D. (2012), Embracing Innovation, CraftsACT Craft and Design Centre, Canberra, 1 April-7 May.
  • Barrass S. and Whitmer D. (2010) Baroque Duet for Cello, Violin, Two Hearts and Two Minds, in Resina E. (2010) Instrumental-Electronic Concert 1, in Proceedings of the Sound and Music Computing Conference, Universatat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, 21-24 July.
  • Barrass S. and Barrass T. (2010) Flotsam, Jetsam and Lagan, in Pryor, D. (2010) Exhibition of Room Based Installations, in Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression, University of Technology, Sydney, 15-20 June.
  • Barrass S. and Whitmer D. (2010) Concerto for EEG and Basso Continuo in Dminor, in Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression, Gossens Hall Concert 1, ABC Studios, Sydney, 17 June.
  • Barrass S. (2009) L’Escharfe a Bisous, in Kettley, S. (2009) We Wear Wearables, Centre for Contemporary Arts, Glasgow, 2 July, 2009.
  • Barrass S. and Davy L. (2009) Fauxy the Fake Fur with Feelings, in Cranny- Francis A. (2009) Touch Exhibition, Macquarie University Gallery, March 2009.
  • Barrass S. (2008) Scruffy the Prototype Taxtile, in Gates M. (2008) Who Let the Dogs Out : The Dog in Contemporary Australian Art, Lake Macquarie City Gallery Feb-March 2008, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery May-June 2008.

Grants

  • Sanchez-Laws A. Hinchcliffe G. OConnor S. and Barrass S. (2012) Interactive Exhibit of Building Energy, Micro-linkage Grant, Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra.
  • Morse P. Barrass S. Berry R. Barrass T. and Ledwidge M. (2011) Networked Synaesthesia, Australia Council Digital Arts Fund 2011.
  • Barrass S. Potard G. and Dickins G. (2011) Hibiki, Sonification of Carbon Footprint, Micro-linkage Grant, Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra.
  • Barrass S. and Whitmer D. (2010) Realtime Sonification of Enobio Wireless EEG, Australian  European Collaboration Grant, Australian Academy of Science.
  • Schaffert N. and Barrass S. (2009) Aesthetics of Sonification in Recreational Sports, Short Term Research Mission Grant, European Collaboration on Science and Technology action on Sonic Interaction Design.

Awards

  • 2011: Invited Faciltator, Summer School on Product Sound, Aalto University, Helsinki
  • 2009: Invited Keynote, Aural City Symposium, Berlin University of the Arts
  • 2007: Invited Facilitator, reSkin Wearable Technology and Art, Australian Centre for Arts and Technology.
  • 2006: Commission from Experimenta Media Arts, Vanishing Point Exhibition, Melbourne Arts Centre.
  • 2005: Honourable Mention, SensAble 3D Touch Challenge, Siggraph 2005
  • 2004: Invited Keynote, International Conference on Auditory Display, Boston University
  • 2000: Commission from the National Museum of Australia for a Multimedia Exhibit in the Welcome Space to the Gallery of First Australians.