The Mobile Apps in Research Summit (MARS Summit) held on 4th Dec 2013 in University of Birmingham was the first event to bring together academics, developers and funding bodies in the UK to explore the potential for mobile devices in gathering research data and for delivering the results of data as tools for professionals and as public engagement. The summit was co-hosted by the IT Innovation Centre and Ideas Lab and it was open to both internal and external delegates.
Access to the videos of the sessions and slides from the presenters is available through the links below. Sessions include a mini master-class on apps for behavioural change from Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies, plus showcases of apps funded by the NERC, BBSRC, EPSRC, JISC and the Technology Strategy Board.
MARS Summit 2013 – Welcome Speech
Speaker: Professor John Heath, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Birmingham
Session 1 – Turning research into mobile tools for professionals
Doctors, farmers, footballers and fishermen have all been the beneficiaries of apps that put new research at their fingertips. What stage in the research life-cycle is the right time to start planning an app as output? What’s the best way to market such an app to a distinct professional group? And are these apps being used in the way their creators expected?
Chair: Lara Ratnaraj, freelance consultant in the cultural and digital sector and part-time Broker for the Collaborative Arts Triple Helix project, University of Birmingham
Panel: Professor David Back, Professor of Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, HIV iChart app [pdf]
Dr Grant Abt, Sport and Exercise Physiologist, University of Hull, Time Motion app [pdf]
Dr John Martin, School of Geography,Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Rate My View app [pdf]
Stewart Jordan, Co-Founder, Golden Gecko, Peek app – portable eye examination kit [website]
Session 2 – Can apps create behaviour change?
From encouraging healthy behaviours to conserving the earth’s resources, our panel showcases and discusses research-based apps intended to promote particular activities among users. Do they work? And is this real impact, or just gimmickry?
Chair: Lucy Vernall, Ideas Lab, University of Birmingham
Panel: Dr. Wendy Lecluyse, Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies, University Campus Suffolk, Bio Aid app [pdf]
Dr Tara Hamling, Senior Lecturer in Early Modern History, University of Birmingham, Eye Shakespeare app [pdf]
Nick Lockey, Development producer, Embarrassing Bodies, Maverick TV, My Risk Checker app [website]
Dr Madeline Balaam, Lecturer in School of Computer Science, Newcastle University, Feed Finder app [pdf]
Session 3 – Data gathering apps – public participation vs research by stealth
The potential of harnessing legions of app users as data gatherers is already being exploited. The apps which encourage the public to get involved with a research project range from reporting on our bee population, sea life, plant diseases and invasive species, to screening images of galaxies and human cells. But the properties of smartphones also allow a mass of information to be gathered without app users’ overt participation. Should we be using features such as these to gather data for research? Is the gathering of data which might also have commercial use a hazard or an opportunity?
Chair: Professor Russell Beale, Professor of Human-Computer Interaction, University of Birmingham
Panel: Dana Pavel, Tec Vis co- founder, AIRS and Storica Software [pdf]
Dr Mirco Musolesi, Senior Lecturer, University of Birmingham, UBhave app [pdf]
Simon Price, Assistant Director in R&D / ILRT, University of Bristol, Nature Locator app [pdf]
Dr Joanna Owens, Science Lead, Cancer Research, UK’s citizen science programme [pdf]
Session 4 – Funding and partnerships
How are research-based apps being funded? What are the opportunities for funding from research councils? What alternative routes of funding might there be? And how much should an app really cost? Hear from potential partner organisations and from past, present and future funders of apps about where to go for money, advice, and in-kind support.
Chair: Dr Henry Chapman, Co Director of the Heritage and Cultural Learning Hub, University of Birmingham
Panel: Lara Ratnaraja, freelance consultant in the cultural and digital sector, and part-time Broker for the Collaborative Arts Triple Helix project, University of Birmingham
Johanna Bolhoven, part of Creative England’s Business Support Team
Simon Price, Assistant Director in R&D / ILRT, University of Bristol