Events

Spring 2024 Sciame Lecture Series: Reginé Gilbert

Human Spatial Computing

This lecture will be in person and is part of the Spring 2024 Sciame Lecture Series, titled "Access and Beyond: Architecture and Disability."

Reginé Gilbert is a seasoned user experience designer, international keynote speaker, esteemed educator, and accomplished author. Currently holding the prestigious position of James Weldon Johnson Professor at New York University, she is a respected authority in her field. Her research endeavors center around digital accessibility, inclusive design, and immersive experiences, exploring ways to create inclusive digital environments. In 2019, Reginé published her debut book, "Inclusive Design for a Digital World: Designing with Accessibility in Mind," which was warmly received by industry professionals and readers alike, published under Apress Publishing. Notably, she is also collaborating with Doug North Cook on an upcoming book titled "Human Spatial Computing," slated for publication by Oxford University Press in 2024.

"Human Spatial Computing": Our relationship with technology has advanced significantly, from using large mainframe computers to wearing small, portable devices that enhance our daily lives. Today, the focus is on Human Spatial Computing, which involves interacting with technology using our entire body instead of just keyboards and mice. This shift has led to the development of immersive technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), which require designing experiences that cater to human needs rather than just machines. Human Spatial Computing is a field that has the potential to transform many areas, from healthcare to remote work. However, it’s crucial to prioritize inclusivity and accessibility while developing these technologies. This talk will emphasize the significance of creating groundbreaking solutions that cater to the needs of this new era by highlighting examples of current tools and ongoing research in spatial computing.

Suggested Reading: Current and potential uses of AR/VR for Equity and Inclusion.

"Access and Beyond: Architecture and Disability" answers the call for disability justice in our time. Architects, designers, and scholars, inspired by critical disability studies, make up the distinguished roster of speakers who situate disability, ability, and access in pointed, specific critiques of design, culture, and power. This series invites practitioners to probe assumptions embedded in universal design, to center belonging in design practice, to critique technology in relation to inclusion, and to apprehend the rich contribution of difference in the sensorial experiences of places.

All lectures are free, open to the public, and held in the Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture Sciame Auditorium. Live captioning and ASL interpretation will be available upon request. For access requests or questions, please contact ssadean@ccny.cuny.edu. 

See https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/return-campus for current requirements for in-person visitors.

This lecture series is made possible by the Spitzer Architecture Fund and the generous support of Frank Sciame ’74, CEO of Sciame Construction.