Grant: Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants

Lethbridge College’s (LC) Centre for Public Safety Applied Research (CPSAR) and Spatial Technologies Applied Research and Training (START) Centre will collaboratively introduce a new medium for performance and presentation called the Spatially Interactive Panorama (SIP). The SIP will share narrative visual and audio traits with media projection, but like virtual reality (VR), SIP will create an immersive experience through projections that wrap the audience and participants in a 200-degree panoramic image. SIP introduces interaction through interfacing with the projected RT3D world, which adds dynamic variability that will be accessed through a custom library of physical gestures. While current projection solutions are designed to address large scale events, data visualization, corporate collaborative environments, and media research, their cost and scale do not address public safety or community partner innovation needs. CPSAR and START endeavour to design, develop, deploy, and research a functional, accessible, inclusive portable immersive solution to support their applied research (AR) programs initiated by public safety, the spatial technology industry, and community stakeholders. The SIP also results in numerous partner, social, economic, knowledge and technology transfer impacts for the region, Alberta, and Canada. With the SIP, social science research program goals will be realized, such as growing stronger communities through genuine relationship-building, preserving the Blackfoot language and culture, and facilitating hands-on training opportunities for community members, public safety professionals, and criminal justice students to honour the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) Calls #57, #63, and #78. Building and exploring a novel medium, like SIP, will help to: develop intercultural competence; preserve Blackfoot culture and language through interactive oral tradition and storytelling experiences; enhance police education/training, assessment, and ethical decision-making; reduce racialized police violence; and prepare victims, witnesses, and police officers for court.