IT Innovation Challenges blog

IT Innovation Challenges advent calendar 2019

Whether you are looking for Christmas gifts to buy, new treats to make for Christmas dinner or opportunities to be part of the Summer of Innovation, coming up with A Good Idea is crucial. The IT Innovation Challenges team are happy to talk to you about your innovation thoughts, but when it comes to preparations for your Christmas you will have to manage that yourself. We will not completely abandon you though, but suggest that you look at our ‘What is an Idea’ blog post which offers suggestions for how to come up with new ideas. We are sure yours will be brilliant and we are looking forward to hear about those that relate to digital innovation. Happy innovating!

Image by Elijah O’Donnell on Unsplash.

The What is an idea and how do I come up with ideas? post was  first posted here on January 16 2019 by Michelle Stork. 

IT Innovation Challenges advent calendar 2019

What do medieval churches, celebrating diversity, and new library readers have in common? They are all the focus in one of the free tours created with the Oxford Stories application.

Discover some of the alternative stories connected to Oxford’s buildings, streets and collections as told by researchers, community members, and students. https://oxfordstories.ox.ac.uk/

Oxford Stories is a collection of tours, the site where the tours can be found, and the tool used to build them. The tool was initially created by the Software Solutions team at IT Services as part of the Diversifying the University Voice project (supported by IT Innovation Challenges). It has since been developed further and can now be used to easily create tours that feature text, images, audio and video. Visit Oxford Stories on a mobile device and take a guided tour along the trail. You can also explore the tours from the comfort of your chair, using the maps, text and media resources to show you new and exciting aspects of Oxford.

A list of all current tours can be found on the Oxford Stories site https://oxfordstories.ox.ac.uk/. The list will grow as more tours are added but currently include:

• Medieval Churches of Oxford: an interactive tour of medieval churches and spaces
• Taylor Institution Library: a tour for new readers and anyone who wishes to see the library from the inside
• Reformation Walking Tour: walk in the steps of graduates and faculty who became martyrs and leaders
• Pitt Rivers Museum: discover new stories about museum artefacts
• Out in Oxford: celebrate diversity through alternative insights into our shared, queer heritage
• Torch: a number of Oxford Alternative Stories with themes such as: Black History, Colonialism, Religion, Refugee, and more.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY:  Do you have an idea for a tour? Why not join the Summer of Innovation challenge which is funding a number of students to work on innovative digital projects. Call for ideas opens in January (see http://blogs.it.ox.ac.uk/innovation-challenges/summer-of-innovation-2020/).

IT Innovation Challenges advent calendar 2019

‘Immersive technologies’ such as augmented and virtual reality are not only found in computer games but something that is increasingly used for research and other purposes across the University. The Oxford X-Reality Hub is a network for people interested in these technologies. It developed out of a student-led project, supported by the IT Innovation Challenges, focused on bringing together people from within and beyond the University with a shared passion for immersive technologies. Since its conception in 2017, the group has arranged a series of events, including networking opportunities, demonstrations, training courses, two summer schools and a yearly showcase event.

“The Oxford X-Reality Hub facilitates and promotes activities that leverage immersive technologies across all divisions of the University of Oxford. This is where people meet to: discuss ideas, present their work, develop projects, gain skills and access powerful capabilities. The network is all about the people and their passion for Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and other immersive technologies”.  (The Oxford X-Reality Hub website http://immersivetech.eng.ox.ac.uk/)

As the New Year is beckoning, the network is releasing a new and enhanced website and a new programme of events. Visit the site http://immersivetech.eng.ox.ac.uk/to learn more about past events and future opportunities, projects, courses and more. Join the network of researchers, students and industry leaders exploring the use of cutting-edge technology within and beyond academia.

IT Innovation Challenges advent calendar 2019

Naughty or nice? When it comes to research ethics, the question is not quite so simple. An important consideration for research at the University is that it is “conducted in a way that respects the dignity, rights, and welfare of participants, and minimises risk to participants, researchers, third parties, and to the University itself.” (https://researchsupport.admin.ox.ac.uk/governance/ethics). Therefore, projects that involve human participants have to go through an ethical review. The review examines the processes used to keep everyone safe, looking at the way participants are informed about the project and protected from harm, the way collected information is stored and managed so that it doesn’t get lost or fall into the wrong hands and a number of other aspects.

Many find the process of applying for ethical review difficult and time-consuming and a considerable proportion of applications are incomplete when first submitted, often because the applicant had not realised what information they needed to supply. The ‘Better Research Ethics Application Process’ project is looking to help both applicants and reviewers by creating a dynamic online system for ethical review. Applicants will be guided through the application process and the answers they give to one question will decide what kind of information they are asked to provide next. Reviewers will be able to assess the applications quicker and better when all the relevant information is provided. The system will be piloted in the Computer Science Department, and hopefully be made available to the whole University by June 2020.

#TheOnlyWayIsEthics

The ‘Better Research Ethics Application Process’ project is based in the Department of Computer Science with support from the IT Innovation Challenges.

IT Innovation Challenges advent calendar 2019

Looking for a different kind of present this year? Why not support one of the crowdfunding initiatives run at the University through OxReach? By sponsoring a project, you help students, academics and staff to translate the ideas that they are passionate about into reality. You can donate as little or much as you like, knowing that the funds you give support Oxford research which can make a difference.

Some successful projects that could run thanks to crowdfunding through the OxReach platform include:

• LIFE: using low-cost smartphones to give healthcare workers in Africa the knowledge they need to provide life-saving treatment to mothers and newborns. https://oxreach.hubbub.net/p/LIFEproject/
• Greater Change: developing a mobile phone app that will enable the general public to make secure, cashless donations to support the homeless. https://oxreach.hubbub.net/p/GreaterChange/
• ‘Lest We Forget’: saving the past for the future by helping local communities capture objects and memories from the First World War. https://oxreach.hubbub.net/p/lestweforget/
• Africa Clubfoot Training Project: transforming the lives of children in Africa through clubfoot training for healthcare workers https://oxreach.hubbub.net/p/clubfoot/
• Smart Handpumps: improving the sustainability of water supplies in rural Africa by developing infrastructure to captureand share information about broken handpumps via 4G.

Members of the University can use OxReach to seek financial support for high-impact philanthropic projects and ideas that they are most passionate about. In addition to the actual platform, OxReach also provides advice and guidance for how to run a successful campaign. The OxReach panel selects the projects that can use the platform based on a number of factors including suitability, goals, and commitment by the project team. More information on the OxReach site: https://oxreach.hubbub.net/ 

OxReach was established by Oxford University Innovation, with the support of IT Innovation Challenges.

IT Innovation Challenges advent calendar 2019

Did you know that members of the University can use the App Builder tool to create and publish apps – for free?

App Builder allows you to create a web-based app simply and quickly. You do not need any special technical skills to get started – just a good idea and a little bit of time. Once you are happy with your app, you can publish it through the App Builder site.

To get started, simply go to the App Builder site (https://mobile.it.ox.ac.uk/), log in with your SSO and click on ‘manage or create your own apps’. Give your app a name, choose an image and start adding content. A user guide is available once you start, explaining how to add different kinds of content. Add, remove and change as you want. Once you are happy with your app you can make it available via the App Builder site and promote the app’s URL to potential users.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: If you have a good idea for an App, join the ‘Summer of Innovation’ which is funding a number of students to work on innovative digital projects. Call for ideas opens in January (http://blogs.it.ox.ac.uk/innovation-challenges/summer-of-innovation-2020/).

Screen-shot from the ‘How to Apply’ app.

• LitHits ‘Right book, right place, right time’ https://mobile.it.ox.ac.uk/lithits : find something to read based on your choice of duration, genre and subject. A five-minute love story while waiting for the bus or a Gothic cliffhanger? Use the app to get literary extract as and when you want them.
• How to Apply  https://mobile.it.ox.ac.uk/how-to-apply/. A step-by-step guide and lots of information for those thinking of applying to Oxford.

As more apps are created and published, the list at https://mobile.it.ox.ac.uk/ will grow. Will your app be there?

App Builder was developed by the Software Solutions team at IT Services, supported by IT Innovation Challenges.

IT Innovation Challenges advent calendar 2019

VR technology is becoming increasingly popular, not least in the entertainment context. It is, however, not the only use for virtual or augmented reality (VR/AR). The Enabling Research and Public Engagement with Babel VR project, based at the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM), import 3D images and movies from medical devices such as CT scanners and microscopes so they can be viewed and interacted with in a VR environment. The project worked with researchers and teachers to explore how the technology can be used in various contexts, such as to interactively view ultrasound movies of the heart, explore CT Scans and MRI and for training and assessing surgeons to do hip replacement operations. They used and further developed the Babel VR software and examples and illustrations can be found on the BabelVR webpage https://www.cbrg.ox.ac.uk/cbrg/babelVR.html and on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/bioinfbloke.

The project manager, Stephen Taylor, says:

“This project was to develop expertise and unique and exciting VR experiences in the Medical and Cultural Heritage space to enhance the fantastic research and development here at Oxford and allow evaluation of the various VR technologies. In addition, we wanted work with other groups interested in VR and AR to put together a training program to train developers how to use the various technologies most effectively to create VR experiences. The aim was to support University of Oxford’s goal of remaining a premier institution for teaching in 2020, by adopting the most exciting teaching innovations made possible by digital technology.”

The project team are now developing VR applications using their Babel VR framework in a number of scenarios and are also looking to develop a “Medical XR” facility, which could provide development resources to allow rapid development of health related VR software.

The Enabling Research and Public Engagement with Babel VR project is based at the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM) and is supported by the IT Innovation Challenges.

IT Innovation Challenges advent calendar 2019

Christmas shopping is not all that you can do in Oxford in December. Why not exchange some of the Christmas stress for a stroll through the city under the guidance of one of the University’s students? Take the free Know Your Oxford audio tour on your smartphone or on the website and follow current student Charlotte as she opens the door to studying at Oxford: outlining the role of the colleges and departments; giving the inside view on Oxford’s academic dress and ceremonies; and pointing out the museums, libraries and other attractions. With 3D elements and augmented reality that bring Oxford to life, the tour can be enjoyed not only by new and prospective students but by anyone who wants to experience Oxford as a student.  Find the Know Your Oxford tour at https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/new/knowyouroxford.

Know Your Oxford was developed by the Academic Administration Division with support by the Oxford University IT Innovation Challenges.

IT Innovation Challenges advent calendar 2019

Christmas came early! The IT Innovation Challenges project ”Instant video creation space’ has been recognised as Said Business School receives the Academic Venue Award 2019 for ‘Best In-house technology’. This reflects the innovative use of the RapidMooc facility during conferences.

Two instances where Rapidmooc was used in innovative ways include

• The International Women’s Day free online resource. The Rapidmooc studio was used to record a free video sample course produced to support the institution’s efforts to celebrate the International Women’s Day of 2019. The video has since been viewed over 15,000 times on YouTube making it one of the top viewed videos on the School’ YouTube channel.

• Creating conference video snippets. During the Symposium on Corporate Responsibility, Rapidmooc was set up in a special room where participants could come and record short impressions of the conference and summaries of their contributions.

Congratulations to Learning Technologist Dominik Lukeš, who initiated and led the IT Innovation Challenges project, as well as the Saïd Business School’s AV, Conferencing and IT Teams for the industry recognition and a fantastic achievement.

IT Innovation Challenges advent calendar 2019

As the end of the year is approaching, do you regret what you have not done (yet) or look forward to new exciting challenges to come? In any case, you may want to consider your career. Are you finding career planning something of a challenge? The new Career Weaver app from the Oxford University Careers Services can help. Spend some time on yourself and use the free online exercises to explore, name, and describe the keys to your career success and happiness. You can choose between a dozen exercises, do as many or few as you like in any order. Most of them only take between 5-15 minutes and will help you identify, take ownership of and articulate underlying beliefs, preferences and strengths which are important for career planning and your success wherever you are in your career. Surely you can give yourself that?

Career Weaver is a web-based App to structure and stimulate reflection by individuals on their values and work preferences; strengths and skills; and motivations. Collectively, these are important drivers for success and happiness at work – and beyond. In particular it focuses on stimulating reflection in three important areas.

▶ What I love: Investigate the values and work preferences that underpin your intuitions, decisions and life satisfaction, both inside and outside work.
▶ What I am good at: Take time to understand your true strengths and skills.
▶ Why I do it: Bring together the insights about ‘what you love‘ and ‘what you are good at‘ with ideas about what really motivates you to help you understand and explain ‘why‘ you enjoy what you enjoy doing and what underpins your commitment and success.

Career Weaver has been designed and built by the University of Oxford Careers Service, with support of the IT Innovation Challenges scheme. It is being released for User Acceptance Testing between November 2019 and early January 2020. All staff and students are welcome to use their SSO to access the tool and work through the exercises. Any feedback is welcome (survey available in the App). To find out more and use the App, please go to https://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/career-weaver/