On the 21st February 2024, Dr. Peter Butcher, a lecturer in Human-Computer Interaction at Bangor University's School of Computer Science and Engineering, presented at the hybrid session as part of the Convergent Content Program. This event was held across Wales, and in North Wales took place at M-SPARC, and held in collaboration with Tramshed Tech, brought together participants both in-person and online, representing a diverse range of companies from across Wales. The session was particularly significant for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the creative industries, with attendees ranging from one-person startups to companies with up to 50 employees. These businesses span a variety of fields, including traditional media, film and TV, emerging media, extended reality (XR), and app development.
Dr. Butcher, who holds a BSc and MSc in Computer Science from Bangor University and a PhD from the University of Chester, shared his expertise on web-based immersive data visualization and visual analytics in augmented and virtual reality. His research focuses on applying visualization techniques to create tools that enhance human-computer interaction, and he has contributed to collaborative projects across multiple disciplines, including law, tourism, heritage, natural sciences, and digital signal processing.
During the session, Dr. Butcher highlighted his recent work on developing visual analytics tools that support situated analytics, offering insights into how these tools can be applied across various sectors. His presentation underscored the potential of these technologies to revolutionize the creative industries, providing new ways to engage with data and enhance user experiences in both traditional and emerging media.
Also attending the session was Professor Jonathan Roberts. Professor Roberts invited people to get involved with events and activities at the University and welcomed companies to attend the forthcoming School of Computer Science and Engineering’s EXPO event.
The event was a key part of the ongoing Convergent Content Program, which aims to foster innovation and collaboration within Wales's creative industries. Dr. Butcher’s contributions were well-received, sparking discussions on the future of human-computer interaction and the role of visual analytics in the digital age.