Austria "FIT for Research"

Experience research with state-of-the-art media technology: at St. Poelten University of Applied Sciences, Austria. On the evening of 23 September, the University will merge research, art and lifestyle under the motto "FIT for research". The unique combination is Austria's contribution to European Researchers' Night 2011.

The purpose of European Researchers' Night is for scientists to make their work accessible and tangible. It is a central pillar of the European commitment to spark enthusiasm for research among the general public. Many institutions apply to participate. This year, St. Poelten University of Applied Sciences, together with PR&D, the PR agency for Research & Education, managed to convince the jury with their ideas: state-of-the-art media technologies make it possible to experience research results that surround us with all senses. Music, dance and cooking will take centre stage along with electronic wearables, audiovisual animations and intelligent biometrics.

Co-Director of St. Poelten University of Applied Sciences, Dr Gabriela Fernandes, comments on the ideas: "Universities of applied science naturally focus on application. Our research results are therefore highly relevant to the general public. It is an ideal point of departure for awakening enthusiasm for research."

The central idea of the evening is reflected in the title "FIT for research". Research makes you fit for life. Wearables represent a salient example of this - clothing with added functionality. This is a field of research with which St. Poelten University of Applied Sciences is increasingly attracting attention. On 23 September, for instance, all scientists will sport wearables that can transmit information about their work to visitors' mobile phones. And that's not all! Clothing that changes colour according to the surroundings and lederhosen with an electronic beat will also be shown.

"At more than 10 different stations, guests will be able to experience how research will make you fit", Dr Frederick Baker explains. He is a lecturer at St. Poelten University of Applied Sciences and works at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Cambridge in the UK. "We will present our research in a new fashion and demonstrate the connection between science and culture."

One of the approaches for doing this will be Dr Baker's media opera "Pitoti - Echoes of the Echoes". This work is based on 4,000-year-old World Heritage listed rock engravings in Northern Italy. At St. Poelten University of Applied Sciences, the motion patterns of the static figures are reanimated using dance, 2D and 3D design and even given a new sound dimension since, as Dr Baker demonstrates, rock engravings are often found in places where an echo can be produced. Based on this echo, a special soundtrack is being composed for the film sequences.

All in all, the evening programme has been designed according to a modern concept with the aim of sparking an interest in research and inspiring people to reconsider their preconceived notions. Dr Till C. Jelitto, Managing Partner of the agency PR&D - Public Relations for Research & Education, confirms this: "Our ideas reflect scientific communication for the 21st century. Indeed, we have moved away from a schoolmasterly presentation of research into a world of experiences, created by the research itself. Research is a natural part of our lives, and that is how it should be perceived."