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Nordic Interactive Nordic Interactive has been announced for the promotion of Pan-Nordic collaboration within the area of interactive digital media. Nordic Interactive aims at making the Nordic Region a world centre of multidisciplinary research and innovation. This goal will be reached through Pan-Nordic collaboration and integration of art, technology, business and science. Nordic Interactive will improve interaction and communication between individuals, groups and organisations through promoting research, innovation and education within a social context and in a strong public dialogue. UIAH Media Lab's professor Timo Honkela is Finnish representative in the constituting board committee of Nordic Interactive (timo.honkela(a-T)mlab.uiah.fi). Announcing Nordic Interactive Background During the last few years it has become clear that interactive multimedia require new, multi-disciplinary approaches within business, education and research. The digital domain today covers much more than just information technology, and due to its interactive and ubiquitous nature it requires new approaches and deliberations from every involved discipline. As a partial answer to this development a number of multi-disciplinary research initiatives have sprung up in the Nordic countries. Unfortunately these initiatives have had a tendency to be small and isolated. There has been a lack of contact and coordination in a field where critical mass and informed dialog between disciplines and groups is crucial. In response to this situation the Nordic countries have initiated national initiatives for research in interactive media. These initiatives show promise, but it has become evident that in order to increase the impact on a global level the Nordic countries should create one common initiative. The Nordic countries share a strong tradition within user centered design, communication and socially reflected development. In addition they have a high level of education, a high penetration of digital technology, and they form a well-defined area in which to build a highly developed competence cluster. Thus it has been decided that Nordic Interactive (NI) will be created. Vision NI will make the Nordic Region a world centre of multidisciplinary research and innovation within the area of digital interactive multimedia. This goal will be reached through Pan-Nordic collaboration and integration of art, technology, business and science. NI will improve interaction and communication between individuals, groups and organisations through promoting research, innovation and education within a social context and in a strong public dialogue. Mission and Scope The Nordic Interactive will act as an umbrella for the national initiatives in the Nordic countries. The organisation should provide an overview of the Nordic research and education in interactive multimedia, and thereby promote visibility and achievability of high-level expertise for potential international research partners, and for local and international industries and governments. An important aim is to emphasise the already prominent level achieved in many areas of interactive media and related areas such as mobile computing, pattern recognition, and human centered information systems design. In order to succeed in this task, methods and tools for organising, visualising and identifying the resources, institutions and individuals will be used. Objectives Important objectives for the network are:
Initial Activities A board consisting of the directors and research directors from each of the participating countries and organisations will be constituted immediately. This board will make the initial decisions about setting up the secretariat and deciding the practical issues concerning establishment of the network. The plans for the first year will include arranging a combined conference and exhibit, showing academic and practical results as well as industry novelties from the Nordic region. The idea is to create a yearly event, which can provide a public forum for research dissipation and discussion. Other plans include identifying and visualising the Nordic research and educational resources in the area of interactive multimedia, and help arrange the Nordic Interactive Multimedia research schools, which are held every six months. Initially we will seek funding from public institutions. After a 3-year period Nordic Interactive should be self-financed through sponsorships and membership fees from the national institutes. This will ensure that NI remains relevant to the national institutes. Constituting Board Committee Denmark
Morten Kyng Finland
Timo Honkela Norway
Knut Lundby Sweden
Kenneth Olausson Info: timo.honkela(a-T)mlab.uiah.fi
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