In a world where society and digital technology are increasingly intertwined, how can we unlock new and creative ways to reach and engage people with science, the wonders of the natural world and our climate futures?

How can we visualise the potential of synthetic biology to help us think differently about planetary health? How can we visually activate Shakespeare’s reflections on nature for a better, more sustainable environmental future in-the-making?

Drawing on ANU scholars’s breadth of knowledge and research in the spirit of experimentation, ULTRA-PERCEPTION (UP) set out to bring carefully researched science facets into our real world space – to transform the way we interact with science. In 2023/2024, we created a prototype UP experience with a demo app (working closely with Canberra-based animation company Eye Candy), but we envision the ‘real’ end result of the future iteration of this project to be a novel user experience that combines science with cutting-edge spatial animation technology – a NEW FORMAT FOR SPATIAL SCIENCE (COMMUNICATION) STORYTELLING designed to CREATE AN IMMERSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND ENABLE DEEP LEVELS OF USER ENGAGEMENT AND UNDERSTANDING.

ULTRA-PERCEPTION encourages audiences to take up an active role and become active participants in the science adventure – to lean in, explore and interact with the three-dimensional science experience first hand. The UP project blends the physical and digital world to bring valuable knowledge from scientific research into any room.

Future iterations of the UP project can include audio and video elements that surprise us with the wonders of science, playfulness and attention to detail, exploring NEW INTERACTIVE SENSIBILITIES to elevate intergenerational learning and discovery. Drawing on the key strategies of surprise, enjoyment and play – known to stimulate interest in science and empower our resilience and creativity – the future of this project will chart new territory in combining fascinating research insights with areas such as augmented reality and immersive storytelling. Future ULTRA-PERCEPTION stories will be linked to the user’s environment – the physical space they are in – and unfold in ways they choose to interact with it.

Building on our previous research and interest in activating art and technology for the study and understanding of the intangible cultural aspects of science and environmental urgencies in particular, this project is designed to encourage a new kind of book-positive experience and exploration like never before.

Where did we start? Getting UP – and running….

In the beginning there was… a science communication scholar studying clowns and scientists in pop culture, and a web scientist with a background in cuneiform studies and knowledge representation. And they just couldn’t stop talking about how to engage people with science and academia in more exciting ways. So, the UP was cooked up! From developing the content of our six research-based pop-up pages with our researchers, to gaining insight into the complex intricacies of paper engineering, to converting our materials into vector files to be professionally printed on ANU’s laser cutter in the MakerSpace – we did it all! (thanks to the amazing support from our co-conspirators and MakerSpace wizards!)

Get in touch if you want to find out more and collaborate!

Cover photo: Nic Vevers, ANU College of Science 2024. Work-in-progress photos: UP team and co-conspirators 2023/2024.

Thank-yous & acknowledgements

We would like to thank our co-conspirator, visual artist Dr Hanna Hoyne, for going above and beyond for this unusual project; our vibrant and enthusiastic ANU colleagues – Dr Aiden Beauglehole (CoS), Prof Jochen Brocks (RSES), Dr Laura Dawes (CPAS), Dr Claire Hansen (CASS), Prof Alex Maier (RSB), Dr Dan Santos (CPAS), Dr Brad Tucker (CoS/CPAS) – and the team of the MakerSpace: Rachael Hanrick, Angel, and Liam Kennedy in particular. Eye Candy: You have shown us a whole new world! Thank you Damian & Rachael and team for being so adventurous to join this project and for your incredible and truly ‘game-changing’ contribution. We are grateful for the enticing visual concept images created by Canberra AI-artist TA, and the invaluable support from Sue Hagon (CPAS) and Heather Luckie, and, last but not least, the masterminds behind KINETIC – Professor Tim Senden and Dr David Court. Many thanks to everyone we know and those we don’t know who supported this project in the voting and pitching process – you guys are awesome! And, finally, Nic Vevers (CoS), you are an ingenious videographer, thank you!