ENHANCING AUDIO DESCRIPTION - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Research Associate
- Creative Technologist
- Post - Doctoral Research Associate / Find Out More
Krisztián is a creative technologist working as a researcher, lecturer, freelancer and artist. Besides working on the Enhancing Audio Description project as a research associate, his doctoral research developed brain-computer music interfaces for meditation, in which neurofeedback is linked to auditory entrainment in generative soundscapes inspired by shamanic journeying.
He has also been teaching music technology-related subjects (e.g. sonic art, sensor technology and music for the moving image) as an associate lecturer at the Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge and the University of Bedfordshire between 2011 and 2019 and started teaching a module on sensemaking, digital identities and web-design at the School of Philosophy and Arts History at the University of Essex 2021. As a freelancer and artist, he has been producing sound design and music, websites and visual art, including photography and paintings.
Job Titles:
- Lead R & D Engineer at BBC
Job Titles:
- Member of the Research Team
- Research Associate
Michael graduated from Queen's University Belfast with an honours degree in Music Technology. Following this he obtained an MSc in Acoustics and Music Technology from the University of Edinburgh, and completed his PhD at the University of Plymouth. During his PhD he developed agent-based models to investigate the transmission and cultural evolution of Humpback whale songs. After completing his PhD, he researched machine learning methods for animal welfare at Queen Mary University of London.
Currently, he is carrying out research into Immersive Audio and Accessibility as part of the Enhancing Audio Description II project. Before coming to York, he composed music and did audio mixing for documentaries. He enjoys playing Uilleann pipes, banjo, and guitar.
Job Titles:
- Student Intern ( Summer 2022 )
Job Titles:
- Director of Production at ITV
Gavin Kearney graduated from Dublin Institute of Technology in 2002 with an honors degree in Electronic Engineering and has since obtained both MSc and PhD degrees in Audio Signal Processing from Trinity College Dublin. During this time he worked (and continues to) in the audio industry as sound engineer and producer. After his PhD, he spent time as a postdoctoral research fellow in game audio on the Science Foundation Ireland ‘Metropolis' project, whilst lecturing on the Interactive Digital Systems and Music and Media Technology courses at Trinity College.
He first joined the University of York as a Lecturer in Sound Design at the Department of Theatre, Film and Television in January 2011 and has since been appointed as Associate Professor in Audio and Music Technology at the Department of Electronics. He has published over 100 publications and patents relating to immersive sound, many in collaboration with industry partners such as Abbey Road Studios, BBC, Google, Huawei and Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix. His research interests include accessibility for audio-visual media, spatial audio and surround sound, sound design for film, television and interactive media, real-time audio signal processing, Ambisonics and spherical acoustics, interactive audio systems, recording and audio post-production technique development.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director, Commercial Partnerships and Standards - Dolby
Job Titles:
- Student Intern ( Summer 2023 )
Job Titles:
- Assistive Technology Specialist
Job Titles:
- Freelance Production Sound Mixer
Job Titles:
- Photographer and Director
Job Titles:
- Principal Investigator for the Arts
- Professor
Professor Mariana López is a Senior Lecturer in Sound Production and Post Production at the Department of Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media at University of York, where she has been working since 2016. She has a background in music, sound design and acoustics.
Mariana is the Principal Investigator for the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funded project ‘Enhancing Audio Description II: Implementing accessible, personalised and inclusive film and television experiences for visually impaired audiences.' She was also the Principal Investigator for Enhancing Audio Description, also funded by the AHRC (2016-2018), and the British Academy funded project ‘The Soundscapes of the York Mystery Plays'. She has also supervised Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowships throughout the years, including the project ‘Safe and Sound Drive' by Dr Arne Nykänen and work by Dr Lidia Álvarez Morales on 'Cathedral Acoustics'. She is currently supervising the project 'Acoustic Atlas', by Dr Cobi van Tonder.
Mariana is also active in the field of sound design, having worked on a number of short films, theatre productions and other creative experiences.
Job Titles:
- Director of Production Scripted UK, ITV Studios
Job Titles:
- Student Intern ( Summer 2023 )
Job Titles:
- Broadcast and Audio Description Manager
Job Titles:
- Student Intern ( Summer 2022 )
Job Titles:
- Community Connection Coordinator