Faculty and staff show off research projects during annual symposium

Since arriving at the University of North Georgia (UNG) in fall 2017, Daniel Johnson has taught his students not only about using technology to create digital art but also to show them how to create digital visual effects for movies and television.

"Often it involves taking a video that has been shot and replacing an element with a visual effect," said the assistant professor of visual arts at UNG. "Even movies that are not sci-fi heavy will have visual effects such as removing an unwanted element from the shot."

Johnson, who also works as a freelance artist, will display his work and explain how he created it at this year's Symposium on Innovation, Research, and Engagement (SOIRE) at UNG. 

SOIRE, formerly UNG Faculty Research Day, is a one-day conference that showcases faculty and staff scholarship from across all campuses of the university. The annual event will be from noon to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 9 in the Martha T. Nesbitt building on UNG's Gainesville Campus.

Johnson will give one of three "Creative Presentations" conducted, with his focusing on art.

For the theater element, Larry Cook will discuss the preparations of Gainesville Theatre Alliance's production of "The Wizard of Oz." The director of design and technology for theater at UNG explained designing the Land of Oz for the stage happens when art and science, technology, engineering and math intersect.

"'The Wizard of Oz' is probably the most technologically advanced production we have attempted," said Cook, noting the production is using seven computers backstage, five projectors and two automation systems, to name a few.

For the musical element, Dr. Esther Morgan-Ellis will present her research about community singing. The assistant professor of music at UNG has published the book "Everybody Sing!: Community Singing in the American Picture Palace," in January 2018.

Dr. Andy Novobilski, associate provost for research and engagement and chief research officer, said in recent years the fine arts faculty and staff have been encouraged to share their research at SOIRE.

"We've had a musical performance each year," he said. "And we want the faculty to step forward and explain their artistry."

Of course, all faculty and staff are encouraged to present their research. It is part of UNG's mission to encourage scholarship activities, Novobilski said. To that end, more than 30 UNG faculty and staff members will present their research during poster sessions from 12:40-1:20 p.m. in rooms 3110 A and B in the Nesbitt building.

"We will have faculty and staff whose research has been funded externally and others are recipients of internal awards," Novobilski said. "They want to demonstrate the research they have been working on."

The poster session will follow three workshops, which are Research Ethics by Dr. Robert Powers, associate professor of nursing and physical therapy  director of research in the College of Health Sciences and Professions, and Dr. Troy Smith, assistant professor of psychological science; Student Collaborative Research by Dr. Bill Gash, associate vice president for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Anastasia Lin, assistant vice president of research and engagement and associate professor of English; and LEAP gathering by Jennifer Graff, associate professor of visual arts.

Novobilski said SOIRE is his second favorite day of the academic school year.

"My first is the Undergraduate Research Conference," he said.