RESEARCH / Summary

In general, my main research focuses on the creation and employment of knowledge management methods and softwares to the purpose of enhancing computer usage in the humanities and cultural heritage sectors. In a nutshell, the knowledge management vision can be characterized as an approach to the design and construction of IT systems where computing solutions are intended to be only one component within a larger 'architecture of participation' - i.e. a complex system in which computers process and provide data for people who can usefully interpret it as information and use it as knowledge.

More specifically, my work revolves around three main areas:

Information architecture, formal ontology, knowledge representation: these disciplines and technologies allow the design and implementation of formal conceptual models (e.g. 'computational ontologies') that can be used when constructing databases and expert systems, or for building complex applications that support sharing data and metadata across different projects. I've been applying these approaches in several humanistic disciplines, including history, philosophy, textual studies, and aim at continuing to experiment in neighboring areas.

Search interfaces and interaction design for the humanities: this strand of research deals with the design and creation of computing interfaces that allow humanists (of varying degree of expertise) access and, most importantly, make sense of digital resources such as online databases or educational websites. On this front, the key aspects being dealt with concern the design of user evaluation experiments, the process of requirements gathering and other experiments that lead to the definition of ‘psychological’ factors of interfaces.

Digital philosophy: this area deals with the study and development of digital tools that can enhance or facilitate the work of philosophers. This is somehow a less-developed area within the digital humanities; nonetheless, there is widespread agreement on the fact that the digital revolution could, and should, benefit philosophers too. Being a classically-trained philosopher, I have some first-hand exposure to (at least some of) the key issues here. In particular, during my PhD work I laid out the intellectual foundations necessary for a critical reflection on the employment of computers in philosophy through the practical construction of a learning environment for Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus.

On the side, I maintain an active interest in digital art and computational creativity. More precisely, I am interested in the possibilities recent technologies in computer music and algorithmic composition open up to the techno-savvy musician. For example, a recent research area called Livecoding explores how musical performances could be based around the action of writing 'musical' computer code, which is then 'publicly' displayed using projection screens, to the end of a stronger interaction between the computer musician and his/her audience. In 2010 I organized a livecoding workshop at King’s College, which was very successful in terms of raising interest towards this new type of creative media. Under the 'music' section you'll find various videos of my creations and live performances.
Get in touch if you want to know more about all of this, or if you're interested in collaborating/hosting an event or workshop!