Making materiality audible

About the Project

This studentship is based in the College of Arts, Technology and Environment.

This project addresses the persistent exclusion of blind and partially sighted (BPS) visitors from the material knowledge embedded in cultural heritage objects. Material cues – such as tool marks, weave structures, brushwork, and relief – are central to interpreting artworks and artefacts but are typically communicated through visual media inaccessible to many BPS users. The aim of this research is to develop a pipeline that transforms 2.5D heritage imaging data – RGB imagery combined with surface normals and height information – into concise, evidence grounded audio descriptions suitable for both onsite and online engagement.

The project will use existing digitisation outputs supplemented by targeted new capture where necessary, spanning materials such as paintings, textiles, and manuscripts. Core research questions explore which geometric descriptors predict tactile salience, how interpretable models can infer process and condition cues, and how these findings should be verbalised for BPS audiences with appropriate qualification and clarity.

Methodologically, the project integrates data standardisation, multi scale descriptor extraction, interpretable modelling, and controlled language generation techniques to ensure that each descriptive claim is grounded in measurable geometric evidence. Co design with BPS participants will shape vocabulary, ordering, uncertainty presentation, and evaluation protocols.

Expected outputs include open source tools, a benchmark dataset, exemplar audio/text packages, and sector guidance for producing geometry grounded descriptions. The project aligns strongly with UWE’s Digital Futures and Creative Industries & Technologies research beacons, advancing inclusive, AI driven heritage access while fostering partnerships with major cultural institutions.

Funding Notes

The studentship is available from 1 October 2026 for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory progress and includes a tax-exempt stipend, which is currently £20,780 (2025/26) per annum.

In addition, full-time tuition fees will be covered for up to three years.