D. Fox Harrell is a researcher exploring the relationship between imaginative cognition and computation. His research involves developing new forms of computational narrative, gaming, social media, and related digital media based in computer science, cognitive science, and digital media arts. The National Science Foundation has recognized Harrell with an NSF CAREER Award for his project “Computing for Advanced Identity Representation.” Harrell holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Cognitive Science from the University of California, San Diego. His other degrees include a Master's degree in Interactive Telecommunication from New York University, and a B.F.A. in Art, B.S. in Logic and Computation (each with highest honors), and minor in Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University. He has worked as an interactive television producer and as a game designer. His recent book is Phantasmal Media: An Approach to Imagination, Computation, and Expression (MIT Press, 2013).

In this talk, Professor Harrell will focus on platforms for developing interactive multimedia narratives in his research group, the MIT Imagination, Computation, and Expression Laboratory. He will discuss specific works made using the platforms including interactive video where user input drives the generation of many versions of a story from diverse perspectives each time, computer games that can model phenomena such as racial discrimination, and interactive narrative animation where users' gestures drive how the story unfolds.

Dr. Harrell will also lead a hands-on workshop on Wednesday, April 20 from 10am-1pm in 512 Cathedral of Learning.

For more information, click here or contact Annette Vee at annettevee@pitt.edu.