Guest lecture on the development of innovative technologies for autism

Dr Newbutt, Principal Lecturer in Communication Design at the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK, will hold a lecture on the origins of digital media technologies used by individuals with autism on Wednesday, 1 March.

In his presentation Mr Newbutt will uncover the key features of media technologies used by these groups and how certain technologies can help them overcome the difficulties faced regarding social skills. In his lecture Mr Newbutt will also introduce two projects involving the virtual world and head-mounted virtual reality displays. His presentation will particularly reveal certain data on the use of innovative technologies for autistic groups and how these are being used as a form of assistive technology. The final part of the lecture will be devoted to key challenges in this field and questions to be addressed; in the event that the full potential of technologies used by autistic people has not been implemented. To demonstrate his recent research results and to make it easier to follow the content of the lecture, his presentation will include visual materials.

Dr Newbutt is an academic specialising in technology, digital media (practice and theory) and autism.  His research is mainly applied, with theoretical strands related to non-verbal communication (Hall, 1966) and the more recent work of Yee, Schroeder and Axelsson. His PhD thesis, for example, drew upon research conducted by Bailenson and Walther (Social Information Processing Theory) including context of Transformed Social Interaction. He has worked with a range of stakeholders in developing innovative projects and is a key proponent of inter-disciplinary approaches.

Lecture venue: 16 Dzirciema iela, RSU Lecture Hall #2, main building

Lekcijas sākums: pulksten 4.00 pm

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