Drones in Visual Culture: Developing a New Theory of Visual Mobile Communication
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Sociological Studies
Abstract
This Fellowship aims to understand whether and how the use of drone technology in society is changing the way people see the world and visual culture more broadly, and to extend and innovate current theoretical approaches to visual mobile communication. It is underpinned by exploring i) the aesthetic characteristics of drone visuals, ii) how drone visuals circulate and iii) public perception of drone visuals.
Drones are widely understood as unstaffed aircrafts, generally fitted with cameras that can be remotely controlled and used for recreational and commercial purposes. As flying robots, drones can capture images that would be difficult to take with ordinary cameras, providing a wealth of new visual information that would be otherwise unavailable. Aerial photography/videography is not a new phenomenon. What is new and different is that increasingly drones are used not only by drone operators with valid CAA permission, but also by amateurs, noticeably expanding the potential to capture, share and store new visual content.
Research into drones to date has focused on technical aspects and the implications of their use in warzones. There has also been a small amount of research into the issues they raise in terms of surveillance, privacy and ethics, but surprisingly the significance of drones for visual culture has not been addressed. Therefore, I plan to use this Fellowship to address the overarching research question:
- In what ways are drones contributing to or changing contemporary visual cultures?
I will also address the subsidiary research questions:
1.What are the aesthetic, textual, semiotic characteristics of drone visuals?
2.How do drone visuals live? Where are they seen and shared? How widely? By whom? With what implications?
3.What do the general public think about drone visuals? How do they perceive them?
4.What is the impact of drone visuals on culture more widely? What are the main issues they raise?
Through these questions, I will add a digital arts and humanities perspective to the current understanding of drones, and will showcase how such a perspective can move academic research on drones beyond existing analyses of technicalities and safety considerations. For this purpose, this Fellowship will adopt a 'visual culture' approach that pays attention to the visual object and the active experience of the individual in the optical experience. This will be combined with a 'technological mediation' approach that acknowledges the importance of thinking of visuals in the digital age in direct conversation with media and new technologies. In this way, the Fellowship will bring visual communication and culture studies into conversation with other fields, especially internet, digital and mobile media studies.
Methodologically, this Fellowship will employ a mixed methods approach that is novel in its integration of three strands. First, online participant observation will be conducted on drone users and how their visuals circulate online. Second, a survey will be conducted within a public exhibition to collect public perceptions of drone visuals. Third, qualitative content analysis on drone visuals will be conducted to explore their aesthetic characteristics and meanings.
Throughout this Fellowship, I will initiate interdisciplinary dialogue about the importance of drone visuals as an object of investigation in visual culture through the publication of a solo-authored monograph, by holding an interdisciplinary international conference, and publishing one peer-reviewed journal article and a special issue. This research will achieve impact through a workshop with drone users, a drone visuals exhibition and online group discussions.
This project builds on the insights and experience of a British Academy funded pilot project (Small Grant Ref SRG18R1\180618) where I explored users' and developers' perspectives on drone usage.
Drones are widely understood as unstaffed aircrafts, generally fitted with cameras that can be remotely controlled and used for recreational and commercial purposes. As flying robots, drones can capture images that would be difficult to take with ordinary cameras, providing a wealth of new visual information that would be otherwise unavailable. Aerial photography/videography is not a new phenomenon. What is new and different is that increasingly drones are used not only by drone operators with valid CAA permission, but also by amateurs, noticeably expanding the potential to capture, share and store new visual content.
Research into drones to date has focused on technical aspects and the implications of their use in warzones. There has also been a small amount of research into the issues they raise in terms of surveillance, privacy and ethics, but surprisingly the significance of drones for visual culture has not been addressed. Therefore, I plan to use this Fellowship to address the overarching research question:
- In what ways are drones contributing to or changing contemporary visual cultures?
I will also address the subsidiary research questions:
1.What are the aesthetic, textual, semiotic characteristics of drone visuals?
2.How do drone visuals live? Where are they seen and shared? How widely? By whom? With what implications?
3.What do the general public think about drone visuals? How do they perceive them?
4.What is the impact of drone visuals on culture more widely? What are the main issues they raise?
Through these questions, I will add a digital arts and humanities perspective to the current understanding of drones, and will showcase how such a perspective can move academic research on drones beyond existing analyses of technicalities and safety considerations. For this purpose, this Fellowship will adopt a 'visual culture' approach that pays attention to the visual object and the active experience of the individual in the optical experience. This will be combined with a 'technological mediation' approach that acknowledges the importance of thinking of visuals in the digital age in direct conversation with media and new technologies. In this way, the Fellowship will bring visual communication and culture studies into conversation with other fields, especially internet, digital and mobile media studies.
Methodologically, this Fellowship will employ a mixed methods approach that is novel in its integration of three strands. First, online participant observation will be conducted on drone users and how their visuals circulate online. Second, a survey will be conducted within a public exhibition to collect public perceptions of drone visuals. Third, qualitative content analysis on drone visuals will be conducted to explore their aesthetic characteristics and meanings.
Throughout this Fellowship, I will initiate interdisciplinary dialogue about the importance of drone visuals as an object of investigation in visual culture through the publication of a solo-authored monograph, by holding an interdisciplinary international conference, and publishing one peer-reviewed journal article and a special issue. This research will achieve impact through a workshop with drone users, a drone visuals exhibition and online group discussions.
This project builds on the insights and experience of a British Academy funded pilot project (Small Grant Ref SRG18R1\180618) where I explored users' and developers' perspectives on drone usage.
Planned Impact
1.Who will benefit from this research?
This research will benefit a) members of the public interested in visual culture and b) drone amateur users.
2.How will they benefit from this research?
This Fellowship will influence the way the public perceive drone visuals. Also, it will inform amateur users about what people think of drone usage and the visuals they produce. In order to maximise opportunities for impact, I will run a drone visuals exhibition, a workshop and online group discussions with drone enthusiasts.
-I will organise a drone visuals exhibition with a series of discussions in a public venue in Sheffield city centre. This initiative will serve to both collect data from the public and to achieve impact. The discussions will provide information about the research project, drone technology, and it will explain the purpose of the exhibition. In addition, the exhibition will provide visual examples. People from the public are very likely to experience drone visual content on a daily basis (such as news reports, documentaries, and YouTube videos) and this exhibition will be informative in promoting knowledge of this growing technological phenomenon and its creative potential. This exhibition aims to raise awareness about this new technological development and its potential.
-A workshop will be organised with a visual artist for drone users. The aims of the workshop will be to i) discuss views and thoughts that the public has on drone visuals and drone usage (built on the data collected during the drone visuals exhibition), and ii) to provide additional knowledge and expertise to stimulate amateurs' creative thinking (through visual examples and group activities). These activities may impact on the way drone users progress their creative work.
-Online group discussions about developments in drone technology, including their potential with respect to visual material and their impact in our visual cultures. These discussions will take place with drone amateur fliers on the most used drone platforms, which include online communities, forums and clubs. Through these discussions impact will be achieved raising awareness about the visual potential as well as challenges of using drone technologies.
From the outset, I will share my research and open up discussion with interested members of the public through social media presence, which will allow me to reach a wide audience.
-Two blogposts will be submitted to The Conversation, LSE Impact blog, Medium.com or similar in which the visual potential and challenges of using drones will be discussed. These websites will serve to promote activities and findings beyond the research community. Sharing this research through blogposts will help to achieve impact, allowing me to reach international audiences.
This research will benefit a) members of the public interested in visual culture and b) drone amateur users.
2.How will they benefit from this research?
This Fellowship will influence the way the public perceive drone visuals. Also, it will inform amateur users about what people think of drone usage and the visuals they produce. In order to maximise opportunities for impact, I will run a drone visuals exhibition, a workshop and online group discussions with drone enthusiasts.
-I will organise a drone visuals exhibition with a series of discussions in a public venue in Sheffield city centre. This initiative will serve to both collect data from the public and to achieve impact. The discussions will provide information about the research project, drone technology, and it will explain the purpose of the exhibition. In addition, the exhibition will provide visual examples. People from the public are very likely to experience drone visual content on a daily basis (such as news reports, documentaries, and YouTube videos) and this exhibition will be informative in promoting knowledge of this growing technological phenomenon and its creative potential. This exhibition aims to raise awareness about this new technological development and its potential.
-A workshop will be organised with a visual artist for drone users. The aims of the workshop will be to i) discuss views and thoughts that the public has on drone visuals and drone usage (built on the data collected during the drone visuals exhibition), and ii) to provide additional knowledge and expertise to stimulate amateurs' creative thinking (through visual examples and group activities). These activities may impact on the way drone users progress their creative work.
-Online group discussions about developments in drone technology, including their potential with respect to visual material and their impact in our visual cultures. These discussions will take place with drone amateur fliers on the most used drone platforms, which include online communities, forums and clubs. Through these discussions impact will be achieved raising awareness about the visual potential as well as challenges of using drone technologies.
From the outset, I will share my research and open up discussion with interested members of the public through social media presence, which will allow me to reach a wide audience.
-Two blogposts will be submitted to The Conversation, LSE Impact blog, Medium.com or similar in which the visual potential and challenges of using drones will be discussed. These websites will serve to promote activities and findings beyond the research community. Sharing this research through blogposts will help to achieve impact, allowing me to reach international audiences.
Organisations
- University of Sheffield (Lead Research Organisation)
- University of Arizona (Collaboration)
- University of Siegen (Collaboration)
- University of Bergen (Collaboration)
- Polytechnic University of Milan (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF YORK (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF READING (Collaboration)
- University of Cordoba (Collaboration)
- University of Western Australia (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
| Elisa Serafinelli (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
Publications
O'Hagan L
(2022)
Transhistoricizing the Drone: A Comparative Visual Social Semiotic Analysis of Pigeon and Domestic Drone Photography
in Photography and Culture
Serafinelli E
(2022)
Drone views: a multimodal ethnographic perspective
in Visual Communication
Jackman Anna
(2022)
Drones in Visual Culture / Anna Jackman Converses with Elisa Serafinelli and Lauren Alex O'Hagan about Their Work
in Association for the Study of the Arts of the Present (ASAP)
O'Hagan Lauren
(2023)
Rethinking Verticality through top-down views in drone hobbyist photography
in Visual Studies
O'hagan L
(2023)
Rethinking verticality through top-down views in drone hobbyist photography
in Visual Studies
Serafinelli E
(2024)
Theorising Drones in Visual Culture - Views from the Blue
Serafinelli E.
Views from the Blue: Theorising Drones in Visual Culture
Serafinelli E.
Drones in Society: New Visual Aesthetics
| Title | Views from the Blue: A Glimpse into Drone Photography |
| Description | The artistic and creative product is Views from the Blue, a drone visual exhibition held at Sheffield Winter Garden from 12th to 19th September 2022, following an initial online launch as part of the Creative Reactions event within Pint of Science in May 2021. This exhibition showcased a curated selection of drone imagery, produced by civilian users, and organised into thematic categories identified through visual content analysis and social semiotic research. The themes included 360-degree vision, access to inaccessible places, defamiliarising the familiar, shadow play, verticality, extreme close-ups, dronies, the power of weather, animal interactions, and classic landscapes. Through these perspectives, the exhibition illustrated how drone technology enables new visual experiences that redefine conventional landscape photography and spatial perception. By presenting drone-generated visuals in an artistic context, Views from the Blue demonstrated how this technology fosters aesthetic engagement, challenges established norms of visual culture, and invites a re-examination of human interactions with both natural and built environments. |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | The development and public presentation of Views from the Blue had several notable impacts, both in terms of its contribution to visual culture and its engagement with audiences. Firstly, the exhibition expanded public understanding of drone imagery beyond its commonly associated uses in surveillance and commercial industries, highlighting its aesthetic and creative potential. By showcasing how civilian drone users employ the technology to reinterpret landscapes, the exhibition challenged traditional spatial hierarchies and opened up discussions on the democratisation of aerial perspectives. Furthermore, Views from the Blue had an educational and interactive dimension, incorporating photo-elicitation techniques to engage visitors in reflections on drone visuals. This approach facilitated a dialogue on the ways new visual technologies influence human perception, emotional responses, and social imaginaries. The public's engagement with the images-ranging from awe at the novel perspectives to discussions about ethical considerations-demonstrated the exhibition's success in stimulating critical reflection on the evolving role of visual technologies. A key outcome of the exhibition was its ability to provoke reflection on the emotional and semiotic aspects of drone visuals. Many attendees remarked on how drone photography redefined spatial perception, offering an immersive and sometimes surreal experience. This was particularly evident in responses to images that showcased 'shadow play,' 'extreme close-ups,' and 'defamiliarising the familiar'-categories that challenged traditional understandings of landscape and portrait photography. The use of photo-elicitation techniques deepened this engagement, prompting discussions on how drone imagery generates curiosity, wonder, and sometimes even discomfort. Additionally, the exhibition facilitated a dialogue on the broader social, ethical, and cultural implications of drone use. While some visitors were initially sceptical, particularly regarding issues of privacy and accessibility, the curated images helped illustrate the democratisation of aerial photography and its capacity to reshape visual storytelling. Audience feedback suggested that the exhibition was successful in balancing appreciation for drone aesthetics with a critical reflection on its socio-political dimensions, such as how access to drone technology is often shaped by privilege. From a broader disciplinary perspective, the exhibition contributed to the field of visual semiotics by offering an empirical case study on the shifting aesthetics of drone-generated imagery. It provided a research-based framework for understanding how visual conventions are transformed through technological mediation, reinforcing the need for interdisciplinary analysis in the study of contemporary visual culture. The event also strengthened the intersection between academic research and public engagement, demonstrating how exhibitions can serve as platforms for disseminating scholarly insights to a wider audience. Overall, the exhibition achieved a dual impact: first, by expanding public awareness of the creative and aesthetic dimensions of drone photography, and second, by fostering critical discussions about the ethical and regulatory frameworks that surround drone technology. This demonstrates how artistic and research-led exhibitions can serve as meaningful platforms for knowledge exchange, public engagement, and interdisciplinary dialogue. |
| Description | The use of drone technology in society is changing the way people see the world and visual cultures. Findings show that the top-down view drones afford are significantly expanding human vision as they make accessible new visual perspectives. These new visuals change people's visual experience of the world. The top-down view that drones afford can reveal patterns and shapes that the human eye is not able to perceive or grant access to places that are out of bounds or difficult to access. This perspective has implication at social, cultural and political level. |
| Exploitation Route | n/a |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Creative Economy Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Education Culture Heritage Museums and Collections |
| Description | 1. Dissemination of findings to members of the public through a drone visuals exhibition with discussions. Some of the research described in this application was carried out in collaboration with drone users interviewed for my pilot study, as some of the visual content they produce will be shown at the drone visuals exhibition. This public exhibition (to be curated by Alison Morton, senior exhibition curator at Museums Sheffield) was shown in the Winter Garden, a venue in Sheffield city centre. This helped to maximise the number of people attending the exhibition. The exhibition hosted a series of discussions that provided the public information related to the research project and drone technology. This enhanced the attendees' experience of the exhibition. Attendees were invited to observe the drone visuals and answer a list of questions, which asked people about their views on drone visuals, how they perceive them, and whether and how they think they have an impact in society. This exhibition was both part of the fieldwork (as it will be used to collect data from members of the public) and part of the impact activities. Impact was achieved by raising awareness of the visual potential afforded by drone technology. This is important because most people are exposed to drone visuals without having background knowledge about the technology itself. 2. Workshop with drone users with a visual artist to enhance new creative practices I organised and host a workshop with the collaboration of a visual artist expert skilled in aerial photography/videography and with experience in delivering workshops (considering her professional network, the visual artist was suggested and approached by Alison Morton). Drone users benefited from this workshop as I provided them a venue for reflecting on their drone usage and for getting inspired by potential creative directions. Currently, most events for users are specialised in flight courses only, leaving out the artistic potential. At the beginning of the workshop, I presented the research findings to the attendees. In particular, I discussed views and thoughts that the public has on drone visuals and drone usage (built on the data collected during the drone visuals exhibition). This may help users to consider the comments provided by the public to reflect on their own practices. I then facilitated a group discussion around those comments. The visual artist, through the analysis of visual examples and group activities, provided additional knowledge and expertise to stimulate their creative thinking. The ideas exchanged during the workshop and the group activities has the potential to impact the ways users approach and progress their creative work. The following drone companies have expressed an interest in attending this workshop: Coptrz, Hovaloft, Buzz Drones Ltd, and Flyby Technology. Also, ARPAS-UK the UK Drone Association (see Letter of Support) have expressed their interest in attending the workshop and sharing findings with their list of members. This made a strong contribution in achieving impact as this non-profit association has a large membership drawn from all over the UK. 3. Online group discussions with drone amateur fliers I participated in conversations about developments in drone technology, in its potentials, challenges, and impact in visual culture. These conversations took place on the most well-known drone platforms (online communities, forums and clubs such as DIYdrones.com, Dronestagram, Greyarrow.ws and similar) to explore ways in which my research can feed into contemporary discussions around drones' new creative practices. I was already part of these communities as I used these platforms for the fieldwork of my pilot study. These online group discussions will serve to raise awareness about visual potentials (as well as challenges) in using drone technologies. The online group discussions were divided per theme (e.g. creative drones, public's perspectives on drone visuals). I opened the discussions with a brief summary of my research findings followed questions to invite the group members to contribute with their thoughts and experiences. These discussions encouraged interested members to reflect on their usage and creative approaches. The rationale for the online group discussions is that online platforms have the capacity to maximise the impact outreach. Overall, these pathways to impact increased awareness of the technological development of drones and the associated changes in visual cultures and practices. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
| Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Cultural Societal |
| Description | The view from above: a drone's perspective on the world |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | This article aimed to encourage young adults to pursue their studies in HE, particularly at the crossroads between arts and humanities and science and technology studies. Here, Public engagement report: DR ELISA SERAFINELLI AND DR LAUREN ALEX O'HAGAN UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD, UK THE VIEW FROM ABOVE: A DRONE'S PERSPECTIVE ON THE WORLD futurumcareers.com/the-view-from-above-adrones-perspective-on-the-world Date of publication 16 November 2021 Date of this report 17 June 2022 WHERE ELSE DOES YOUR RESOURCE FEATURE? YOUR ARTICLE FEATURED IN ISSUE 12 OF FUTURUM, PUBLISHED ON 10 DECEMBER 2021 Public engagement stats: 17,920 people reached, 5,443 engagements, 5,397 likes, 38 link clicks 19,273 impressions, 2,220 engagements, 551 likes, 19 retweets 9,564 impressions, 42 clicks From the Futurum website: 100 PDF downloads 14,641 impressions, 6.6% engagement rate, 972 likes, 479 clicks, 4 shares TES www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12610978 7 views, 12 downloads Teachers pay Teachers www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-view-from-above-a-dronesperspective- on-the-world-7535664?st=45d8699a4411f621914d6119127678e9 66 downloads Scientix WHAT ARE THE STATS FOR YOUR FUTURUM WEBPAGE? HOW MUCH SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT HAS YOUR RESOURCE HAD? • 573 page views • 01:30 minutes' dwell time on page • 17 article downloads • 13 activity sheet downloads 1,306 impressions, 41 engagements, 24 link clicks, 5 likes 202 impressions, 4.23% engagement rate, 3 likes, 1 link click, 1 share 4,870 impressions, 135 pin clicks |
| URL | https://futurumcareers.com/the-view-from-above-a-drones-perspective-on-the-world |
| Description | Views From the Blue Drone Visuals Exibition |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | The vast majority of people who engaged with the exhibition online and offline reported positive comments, in particular, that the initiative raised awareness about the positive, aesthetic and creative ways to use drone technologies not in the commercial sector. |
| Title | Computer-Mediated Research Methods to Explore the Role of Drone Visuals in Shaping a New Visual Literacy |
| Description | In recent years, computer-mediated methodologies to explore everyday phenomena have become commonplace. My sage case study introduces an online research method tailored to examine how drone visuals are reshaping our visual culture and perception of the world. The research method discussed in this chapter integrates online participant observation, visual content analysis, and a photo-elicitation survey conducted through a drone visuals exhibition. Grounded in netnography and digital ethnography principles, it examines the contexts in which drone visuals are shared and experienced, the visuals they generate, and public perspectives. Confronted with the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, this method was adapted to the limitations imposed by external circumstances. This chapter demonstrates that this method maximizes participant engagement and data diversity, illustrating the efficacy of designing online research methods for studying online practices and experiences amidst external challenges. |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2025 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This methodological approach provides clear guidelines and a robust theoretical framework for the study od emerging visual technologies and the visuals they generate. |
| Description | Drones in Society Research Network |
| Organisation | Polytechnic University of Milan |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This project established an interdisciplinary research network (I was the main organiser). I have established this research network with the aim to: - Publish an edited collection (Palgrave Pivot currently under review), and - Identify research gaps to develop a collaborative grant proposal. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Some of the partners have submitted short chapters for the Palgrave Pivot edited collection. |
| Impact | Edited collection titled Drones in Society, Palgrave Pivot (currently under review). Disciplines involved: Social sciences, art and photography, journalism, geography, digital media, visual communication, cultural studies, philosophy, and sociology. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Drones in Society Research Network |
| Organisation | University of Arizona |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This project established an interdisciplinary research network (I was the main organiser). I have established this research network with the aim to: - Publish an edited collection (Palgrave Pivot currently under review), and - Identify research gaps to develop a collaborative grant proposal. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Some of the partners have submitted short chapters for the Palgrave Pivot edited collection. |
| Impact | Edited collection titled Drones in Society, Palgrave Pivot (currently under review). Disciplines involved: Social sciences, art and photography, journalism, geography, digital media, visual communication, cultural studies, philosophy, and sociology. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Drones in Society Research Network |
| Organisation | University of Bergen |
| Country | Norway |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This project established an interdisciplinary research network (I was the main organiser). I have established this research network with the aim to: - Publish an edited collection (Palgrave Pivot currently under review), and - Identify research gaps to develop a collaborative grant proposal. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Some of the partners have submitted short chapters for the Palgrave Pivot edited collection. |
| Impact | Edited collection titled Drones in Society, Palgrave Pivot (currently under review). Disciplines involved: Social sciences, art and photography, journalism, geography, digital media, visual communication, cultural studies, philosophy, and sociology. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Drones in Society Research Network |
| Organisation | University of Cordoba |
| Country | Spain |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This project established an interdisciplinary research network (I was the main organiser). I have established this research network with the aim to: - Publish an edited collection (Palgrave Pivot currently under review), and - Identify research gaps to develop a collaborative grant proposal. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Some of the partners have submitted short chapters for the Palgrave Pivot edited collection. |
| Impact | Edited collection titled Drones in Society, Palgrave Pivot (currently under review). Disciplines involved: Social sciences, art and photography, journalism, geography, digital media, visual communication, cultural studies, philosophy, and sociology. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Drones in Society Research Network |
| Organisation | University of Reading |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This project established an interdisciplinary research network (I was the main organiser). I have established this research network with the aim to: - Publish an edited collection (Palgrave Pivot currently under review), and - Identify research gaps to develop a collaborative grant proposal. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Some of the partners have submitted short chapters for the Palgrave Pivot edited collection. |
| Impact | Edited collection titled Drones in Society, Palgrave Pivot (currently under review). Disciplines involved: Social sciences, art and photography, journalism, geography, digital media, visual communication, cultural studies, philosophy, and sociology. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Drones in Society Research Network |
| Organisation | University of Siegen |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This project established an interdisciplinary research network (I was the main organiser). I have established this research network with the aim to: - Publish an edited collection (Palgrave Pivot currently under review), and - Identify research gaps to develop a collaborative grant proposal. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Some of the partners have submitted short chapters for the Palgrave Pivot edited collection. |
| Impact | Edited collection titled Drones in Society, Palgrave Pivot (currently under review). Disciplines involved: Social sciences, art and photography, journalism, geography, digital media, visual communication, cultural studies, philosophy, and sociology. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Drones in Society Research Network |
| Organisation | University of Western Australia |
| Country | Australia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This project established an interdisciplinary research network (I was the main organiser). I have established this research network with the aim to: - Publish an edited collection (Palgrave Pivot currently under review), and - Identify research gaps to develop a collaborative grant proposal. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Some of the partners have submitted short chapters for the Palgrave Pivot edited collection. |
| Impact | Edited collection titled Drones in Society, Palgrave Pivot (currently under review). Disciplines involved: Social sciences, art and photography, journalism, geography, digital media, visual communication, cultural studies, philosophy, and sociology. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Drones in Society Research Network |
| Organisation | University of York |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This project established an interdisciplinary research network (I was the main organiser). I have established this research network with the aim to: - Publish an edited collection (Palgrave Pivot currently under review), and - Identify research gaps to develop a collaborative grant proposal. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Some of the partners have submitted short chapters for the Palgrave Pivot edited collection. |
| Impact | Edited collection titled Drones in Society, Palgrave Pivot (currently under review). Disciplines involved: Social sciences, art and photography, journalism, geography, digital media, visual communication, cultural studies, philosophy, and sociology. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Drone visuals exhibition - Views from the Blue: A Glimpse into Drone Photography (offline) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | From the 12th to the 19th of September 2022, the Sheffield Winter Garden hosted the drone visuals exhibition titled 'Views from the Blue' (which inspired the title of this book). Due to covid, it was first launched online as part of the 'Creative Reactions' Pint of Science in May 2021. Then, fortunately, covid restrictions were released and the exhibition could be displayed in a public space. The exhibition was organised around ten themes (plus the image in the poster): 360-degree vision, access to inaccessible places, defamiliarising the familiar (top-down view), shadow play, verticality (birds-eye view), extreme close-ups, dronies, the power of weather, animal interactions and 'classic' landscapes. All the drone images showcased were produced by civil users. This choice was intended to encourage members of the public to get close to drone visuals and to know more about the artistic and creative opportunities of these new technologies. To know more about these novel visuals, this section offers an in-depth semiotic analysis of the meanings and aesthetic characteristics discussing new perspectives, shapes, and patterns. Using one visual example per each theme illustrates the predominant content and how they are communicated. Through this critical analysis, this section wants to show the potential of drones in providing visions never experienced before. This knowledge contributes to our understanding of the world and how our visual capabilities are changing. a drone visuals exhibition with a series of discussions in a public venue in Sheffield city centre. This initiative will serve to both collect data from the public and to achieve impact. The discussions will provide information about the research project, drone technology, and it will explain the purpose of the exhibition. In addition, the exhibition will provide visual examples. People from the public are very likely to experience drone visual content on a daily basis (such as news reports, documentaries, and YouTube videos) and this exhibition will be informative in promoting knowledge of this growing technological phenomenon and its creative potential. This exhibition aims to raise awareness about this new technological development and its potential. Some of the research described in this application will be carried out in collaboration with drone users interviewed for my pilot study, as some of the visual content they produce will be shown at the drone visuals exhibition. This public exhibition (to be curated by Alison Morton, senior exhibition curator at Museums Sheffield) will be shown in the Winter Garden, a venue in Sheffield city centre. This will help to maximise the number of people attending the exhibition. The exhibition will host a series of discussions that will provide the public information related to the research project and drone technology. This will enhance the attendees' experience of the exhibition. Attendees will be invited to observe the drone visuals and answer a list of questions, which will ask people about their views on drone visuals, how they perceive them, and whether and how they think they have an impact in society. This exhibition is both part of the fieldwork (as it will be used to collect data from members of the public) and part of the impact activities. Impact will be achieved by raising awareness of the visual potential afforded by drone technology. This is important because most people are exposed to drone visuals without having background knowledge about the technology itself. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Drone visuals exhibition - Views from the Blue: A Glimpse into Drone Photography (online) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This online drone visuals exhibition was first launched as part of the 'Creative Reactions' Pint of Science in May 2021. The exhibition was organised around ten themes (plus the image in the poster): 360-degree vision, access to inaccessible places, defamiliarising the familiar (top-down view), shadow play, verticality (birds-eye view), extreme close-ups, dronies, the power of weather, animal interactions and 'classic' landscapes. All the drone images showcased were produced by civil users. This choice was intended to encourage members of the public to get close to drone visuals and to know more about the artistic and creative opportunities of these new technologies. This online exhibition was accompanied by an online survey that collected 24 responses. This survey wanted to collect people's perspectives on drone visuals and their impact on members of the general public. These data are used in the in solo authored monograph I am working on (which is the main output of this Fellowship). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2022 |
| URL | https://pintofscience.co.uk/more/blog/views-from-the-blue-a-glimpse-into-drone-photography/ |
| Description | Research project website |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | n/a |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023 |
| URL | https://visualsociety.net/current-research/ |
| Description | online group discussions |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Online participant observation was conducted on drone users and how their visuals circulate online. Second, a survey was conducted within a public exhibition to collect public perceptions of drone visuals. Third, qualitative content analysis on drone visuals was conducted to explore their aesthetic characteristics and meanings. -Online group discussions about developments in drone technology, including their potential with respect to visual material and their impact in our visual cultures. These discussions took place with drone amateur fliers on the most used drone platforms, which include online communities, forums and clubs. Through these discussions impact was achieved raising awareness about the visual potential as well as challenges of using drone technologies. 3. Online group discussions with drone amateur fliers I participated in conversations about developments in drone technology, in its potentials, challenges, and impact in visual culture. These conversations took place on the most well-known drone platforms (online communities, forums and clubs such as DIYdrones.com, Dronestagram, Greyarrow.ws and similar) to explore ways in which my research can feed into contemporary discussions around drones' new creative practices. I was already part of these communities as I used these platforms for the fieldwork of my pilot study. These online group discussions served to raise awareness about visual potentials (as well as challenges) in using drone technologies. The online group discussions were divided per theme (e.g. creative drones, public's perspectives on drone visuals). I opened the discussions with a brief summary of my research findings followed questions to invite the group members to contribute with their thoughts and experiences. These discussions encouraged interested members to reflect on their usage and creative approaches. The rationale for the online group discussions is that online platforms have the capacity to maximise the impact outreach. These online communities, forums and drone clubs gather a wide range of people interested in improving their practices, sharing their experiences and establishing new networks, making them an ideal venue to reach a wide range of drone enthusiasts. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023 |