Abstract:

The practice of geology has historically been deeply physical - from field observations and sample collection to hands-on laboratory analysis. However, the digital revolution has increasingly shifted geological work toward disembodied data science, confined to laptop screens, keyboards, and mice. While this transformation has enabled powerful new analytical capabilities, it has also created a disconnect between scientists and their subject matter, artificially separating field experience from laboratory analysis. This talk proposes "Geology Interaction Design" as a possible subfield that seeks to bridge this gap by reimagining how geologists interact with both physical samples and digital data. Drawing from advances in human-computer interaction, scientific visualisation, and tangible computing, we'll explore opportunities to create more embodied experiences for geological research and education. We'll examine case studies from my work at the Intelligent Instruments Lab and now Afhverju Ekki, including my current project Tölvera - a new tool for real-time interactive simulation of complex systems that demonstrates how computational approaches can maintain physical intuition while leveraging digital capabilities.

Bio:

I am a musician, designer and technologist based in Iceland, and the founder of research studio Afverhju Ekki. I was until recently a postdoc researcher at the Intelligent Instruments Lab, University of Iceland for three years, and now my open source AI project Tölvera has been funded by the Mozilla Foundation. I have a PhD in Media & Arts Technologies from Queen Mary University of London. My artistic work spans experimental concerts, electronic club performances and DJ sets, multimedia installations, interface design, sound design, music production and composition (credits including Charli XCX and Jónsi), and more.

All are welcome.