FACE Research Seminar | November 2024
The first FACE (Faculty of Arts, Computing, and Engineering) Research Seminar of the academic year kicked off in November, with representatives from Computing and Art. Prof. Alec Shepley chaired the session alongside delivering a segment.
Introduction to Large Language Models (LLMs)
Speaker one was Dr Phoey Teh, Reader in Social Computing, who gave an overview of LLMs. Phoey discussed the impact of LLMs on scholarly publications, focusing on title and abstract generation. Phoey discussed research methods for one of their recent papers, emphasising the importance of understanding the tools and methods used in LLMs, including text generation and embedding features. LLMs use machine learning for various applications such as knowledge answering, speech recognition, and language translation.
The Study
Research Objectives: Phobe and colleagues aimed to assess the coherence of AI-generated titles compared to human-generated titles based on abstracts. They used a timeline approach to categorise titles as pre-AI and during the AI era, examining correlations between original and AI-generated titles. They began by collecting a dataset of 15,000 titles and abstracts, narrowing it down for rigorous analysis.
Analysis Techniques: The team compared semantic similarity between AI-generated and human-generated titles using cosine similarity and Levenshtein distance. They also developed a model to measure text readability based on sentence length and word complexity. Lastly, they employed a statistical technique called Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to infer differences in means across various datasets.
Findings and Implications: The team found that AI-generated titles often showed high similarity to human-generated titles, indicating a pattern in AI text generation. Phoebe discussed how LLMs have transformed research dissemination and citation patterns across disciplines, and also addressed the ethical considerations of using AI in research, including data privacy and the authenticity of generated content. In future, Phoey suggested exploring the role of LLMs in sustainability research and community engagement.
Mapping and Community Engagement
Our second speaker was Prof. Alec Shepley, who spoke about the collaborative funded project, Public Map Platform. Alec introduced the project aimed at involving local communities in planning and decision-making through mapping their environments, focusing on the Isle of Anglesey (Ynys Mon). The project involves creating a public map platform that integrates social, environmental, and cultural data, referred to as a "data sandwich".
The Study
Workshops were conducted to teach community members how to use open-source mapping tools like OpenStreetMap and Wikimedia to document their favourite places and experiences. The initiative was driven by local government seeking to be proactive in community engagement, employing alternative methods for data collection through artistic practices, in line with the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act.
Interactive Events and Artistic Engagement: A series of interactive events called "Lle Llais " were held, featuring performances and data collection through various artistic mediums. The project highlighted sensory experiences for children, allowing them to engage with their environment through listening, tasting, and creating art. The engagement was notably more successful with school groups, who were enthusiastic and collaborative.
Youth Involvement and Employment Opportunities: The project aimed to involve teenagers and young adults by providing them with roles as facilitators and mappers, thus giving them a sense of ownership. Various artistic performances, including poetry and music, were integrated into the events to enhance community participation.
Visit the Public Map Platform website.
Inclusivity and Accessibility in Arts
Our third speaker was Dr Grace Thomas, Senior Research Fellow in Arts Engagement, who has been researching barriers disabled individuals face in accessing arts opportunities, stressing the need for inclusive practices. A significant percentage of surveyed individuals expressed low confidence in the accessibility of arts programs, indicating a need for better marketing and booking processes. Grace shared examples of organisations attempting to improve accessibility, highlighting both successes and ongoing challenges.
Community Engagement and Ecological Citizenship
The final speaker of the afternoon was Dr Tracy Simpson, Postdoc Researcher for the Ecological Citizens project. Their focus was on understanding ecological citizenship and grassroots networks that promote sustainability. Tracy discussed the importance of local initiatives and community involvement in ecological practices, emphasising the need for collective action. Various community projects were highlighted, showcasing how local actions can lead to significant environmental impacts.
Research and Collaboration: Tracy discussed their research on community engagement in ecological practices, focusing on how to create resilient social spaces and collaborating with local organisations to understand community needs and improve engagement strategies. Overall, the research aims to develop a framework for local authorities to better engage communities in decision-making processes.
Visit the Ecological Citizen(s) Network website.
Join FACE for the next Seminar in the series on 26 February 2025.