Workshop 4: Soundscape and Sound Studies
Online workshop (using Zoom), September 16th 2022.
Led by: Prof John Drever (Goldsmiths, University of London) and Prof Josh Reiss (Queen Mary University of London).
REPORT
PROGRAMME
- 10.00 am Welcome - Introduction to the workshop and housekeeping
- 10.15 am Paper 1 - Are we hearing the same soundscape? Who's listening, how, and to what?
Neil S Bruce: School of Digital Arts (SODA), Manchester Metropolitan University. Abstract | Video - 10.45 am Paper 2 -Soundscapy - a new analysis and visualisation method for representing the range of soundscape perceptions
Andrew Mitchell, Francesco Aletta, & Jian Kang (Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, University College London; The Alan Turing Institute). Abstract | Video - 11.15pm Coffee Break
- 11.30am Panel - Participatory design in practice - experiences from existing projects
Panel hosts: Mattia Cobianchi (Goldsmiths University of London) & Carmen Rosas Perez (Heriot-Watt University)
Speakers: Dan Pope (Delta Simmons - IoA) and Francesca Fazio (Avventura Urbana) Abstracts and bios | Video - 12.30pm Lunch Break
- 1.30pm Paper 3 - Listening-with: aural diversity and participatory listening research
Bethan Prosser (University of Brighton). Abstract Script | Video - 2.00pm Paper 4 -Exploring the Design Preferences of Neurodivergent Populations for Quiet Spaces
Toar Sadia (University College London). Abstract | Video - 2.30pm Paper 5 - Sonic Ambiguities: exhuming gothic soundscapes
Lewis Gittus (University of Melbourne). Abstract and Script | Video - 3.00 pm Paper 6 - "In Which to Trust?": An Artistic Way of Presenting Aurally Diverse Listening Experiences
Jay Afrisando. Abstract Slides Script | Video - 3.30pm Coffee Break
- 3.45pm Paper 7 - Reorienting Aurality through Bodily Listening: an artistic research approach to musicking
Ellen Waterman (Carleton University) and Paula Bath (Concordia University). Abstract Bios Website Script | Video - 4.15pm Paper 8 - A Sonic | reflecting on the socio-spatial significance of soundscapes
Michael de Beer (Kuiper Compagnons / tudelft (time to time). Abstract | Video - 4.45pm Keynote - How to Hear Impairment
Jonathan Sterne (McGill University). | Video - 5.45 - 6pm Concluding Comments
CALL FOR PAPERS
Issues of aural diversity are crucial to both soundscape and sound studies. Both of these emerging disciplines are suffused with what Jonathan Sterne calls "a creeping normalism". They are underpinned by tacitly agreed standards derived from acoustics, which is largely predicated on the notion of an idealised listener with "normal" hearing.
However, change is afoot. The ISO definition of soundscape includes "hearing impairments and hearing aids" as factors that may "influence auditory sensation" (BS ISO 12913-1:2014), implying a shift to aurally diverse modes of hearing. The aural diversity network aims to bring together researchers and practitioners to develop interdisciplinary approaches to understanding how people hear differently.
In this workshop, we will focus on innovative research and practice into soundscapes and sound studies that are stretching and breaking a "one size fits all" approach to hearing. The following questions may stimulate proposals and papers.
- How may aural diversity help us to advance our understanding of soundscapes and/or sound studies?
- How are sound studies questioning and developing practice and discourse on aural diversity?
- To what extent and in what ways do people perceive soundscapes differently?
- How can hearing care technologies move beyond speech intelligibility, and allow for appreciation of soundscapes?
- What new developments related to aural diversity would improve technologies for soundscapes?
- How can we ensure soundscape research methods are representing an aurally diverse society?
The Aural Diversity Network Soundscapes and Sound Studies' two-day workshop will examine these questions, in an interdisciplinary context that includes the arts and humanities alongside technical and scientific fields. Whilst we hope to receive contributions from hearing care practitioners and hearing technology experts given the focus of the workshop, we hope to receive submissions from those working across a broad range of disciplines such as music and performance arts, sound studies and soundscape, sound environment design, acoustics and noise studies, transport, and speech.
Submissions may consist of proposals for:
- Spoken papers, demonstrations, workshops, thematic symposia.
- Symposia are intended to include contributions from multiple geographical locations.
Please note: due to the online format, poster presentations will not be supported. Automated live captioning be available throughout. British Sign Language interpretation will be provided on request. Please request BSL, if required, on registration.
Important dates:
- 29 July 2022 Deadline for abstract submissions
- 8 August 2022 Review outcomes
- 15-16 Sept 2022 Network event (online)
Submission guidelines for single paper or demonstration:
- Structured abstract of max 300 words
- Empirical studies: Background, Aims, Methods, Results, Conclusion and Implications
- Non-empirical studies: Background, Aims, Main Contribution, Conclusion and Implications
- Demonstrations: Background, Aims, Main Contribution & Practical requirements.
- Indication of topic, thematic highlight, and whether part of a symposium
Submission guidelines for symposia:
- Structured abstract of max 300 words for symposium as a whole: Background, Aims, Main contribution.
- Overview of presentations including titles, authors, and selected hubs.
- Structured abstract for each contribution, following the guidelines for single submissions, submitted separately
- The title
- The authors' names
- Type of proposal (presentation, workshop, demonstration, symposium)
- Your institutional affiliation(s)
- The email address of the lead author
- Where you are based nationally/internationally
- What time zone you are in (-5 UTC Americas, +1UTC West-Europe, +4 UTC East etc.)
Your proposal must further include:
How to submit: Please submit your proposal via email to: info@auraldiversity.org