Jonathan Duckworth

Dr Jonathan Duckworth is a Vice Chancellor’s Research Fellow in the School of Media and Communication at RMIT University (2012–2015).

Dr Duckworth is a digital media artist and designer with a background in architecture. He brings to RMIT a broad range of industry and research experience in digital media design from his practice called ZedBuffer. His practice specialises in research, development and production of novel interactive installations for government clients, museums, galleries and public venues using computer game technology. This focus has resulted in the design and build of several large-scale multi-user interactive installations commissioned by government and commercial clients, including: State Library of Queensland (2012), Drops of Wisdom, Sydney Catchment Authority (2010), Serendipity, Eureka SkyDeck (2007).

The practice also serves as a repository for his funded research activities, speculative designs and experimental interactive media art works. The design opportunities from ZedBuffer have contributed to his research at RMIT University, and more broadly in developing intellectual currency and expertise in new media production, interaction design and associated technology.

Research
Dr Jonathan Duckworth has been involved in the research and development of interactive media applications through RMIT’s Virtual Reality Centre since 1999. His current research relates to the design and evaluation of systems for movement rehabilitation in patients who have sustained traumatic brain injury. In collaboration with scientists and clinicians, Dr Duckworth has developed an approach to rehabilitation which integrates computer games technology, tangible user interfaces, augmented feedback, and artistic expression to enhance patients’ motor and cognitive skills. His research demonstrates how rehabilitative applications may benefit significantly from theories of embodied interaction design and digital media art.

Dr Duckworth is a recipient of an Australia Council for the Arts Synapse grant as part of an ARC Linkage grant (LP110200802) in collaboration with Australian Catholic University, Griffith University and Epworth Hospital. The project, called 'Resonance', encompasses the design and development of an interactive multimedia artwork for rehabilitation of acquired brain injury (ABI). The Resonance interactive system aims to promote cooperative group interaction between ABI patients as a means to enhance their motor and cognitive recovery.

Dr Duckworth has exhibited digital artworks both nationally and internationally, including group exhibitions at Art Taipei (2010); SuperHuman, Melbourne (2009); Thinking Through the Body, Sydney (2009); ReSkin, Canberra (2007); White Noise, Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Melbourne (2005); Unnatural Selection, Ars Electronica, Linz, Austria (2004); and Perceptual Difference, Biennale of Electronic Arts Perth (BEAP04), John Curtin Gallery, Perth (2004).

Accomplishments:
- 2011 RMIT University Research Prize - In recognition of the achievement of excellence in a higher degree research program assessed in 2010 (PhD)
- 2004 LAB.3000 Digital Design Biennale Award - Recognition of Achievement of Excellence in the field of Digital Design Innovation
- 2003 RMIT University Research Prize - In recognition of the achievement of excellence in a higher degree research program assessed in 2002 (M.Des)
- 2003 ATOM Award (Australian Teachers of New Media) - Best Experimental Production, Virtual Reality arts project ‘Ecstasis’, J. Duckworth, M. Guglielmetti, L. Harvey, M. Baily. (Metraform)
- 2002 ATOM Award (Australian Teachers of New Media) - Commendation Award, Virtual Reality arts project ‘Symbiosis’, J. Duckworth, M. Guglielmetti, L. Harvey (Metraform)
- 2001 Academic Excellence Award - International Postgraduate Research Scholarship, RMIT University