Dissemination

CIAC researchers publish article on theatre in the digital environment

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Bruno Miguel Pinheiro, Paulo Duarte Branco and Pedro Alves da Veiga, researchers at CIAC, published the article ‘Improving Firefighter Training Through Virtual Reality: Perspectives on Benefits, Challenges and Technological Integration’.

This article explores the benefits and challenges of integrating VR into training programmes, highlighting its advantages in developing practical skills and preparing for complex emergency situations. The realism provided by VR facilitates the immersion of firefighters in virtual environments where they can practice manoeuvres and decision-making without the inherent risks of using real fire, increasing safety and allowing scenarios to be repeated without significant additional costs.

Bruno Miguel Pinheiro has been a sapper firefighter with the Lisbon Sapper Firefighters Regiment since 2005. He has a degree in Multimedia Engineering and Computer Science from the Instituto Superior de Tecnologias Avançadas de Lisboa. He has a postgraduate qualification in Virtual Reality and completed a master’s degree in Computer Science, in the Mobile Devices and Multimedia branch, also at the same institute. He is currently studying for a PhD in Digital Media Art, in a partnership between the University of the Algarve and Universidade Aberta.

Paulo Duarte Branco is an associate professor and coordinator of the Projects and Internationalisation Department at the Higher Institute of Advanced Technologies. He is also a visiting assistant professor at the Santarém School of Education. Within the Instituto Superior de Tecnologias Avançadas community, he assumes key responsibilities, directing the degree programme in Multimedia Engineering and supervising the professional training course in Multimedia Product Development. He has a PhD in Multimedia in Education from the University of Aveiro. He is an active member of the Scientific Council of the Arts and Communication Research Centre. He has supervised numerous master’s theses, contributing significantly to the academic growth of his students. Actively involved in various research projects, he is committed to pushing the boundaries of knowledge. Beyond the academic field, he is the coordinator of international projects, namely under the Erasmus+ programme, promoting global collaboration and enriching the educational experience.

Pedro Alves da Veiga has a PhD in Digital Media Art from the University of Algarve and Universidade Aberta. He is an assistant professor at Universidade Aberta and vice-director of the PhD programme in Digital Media Art. He has been an entrepreneur for over two decades, with award-winning web design and multimedia work. He is an integrated member of the Arts and Communication Research Centre and a collaborator with the ID+ Institute for Research in Design, Media and Culture. His research focuses on the influence of the economies of attention and experience on the digital media-art ecosystem, research methods based on artistic practice, and digital curation. He uses assemblage, generative creative programming and digital audiovisuals in his artistic creations, which are regularly exhibited in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Holland, Romania, Russia, China, Thailand, Brazil and the United States.

The full article is available here (here).

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