Introduction

In the 2018/19 academic year, Kilter is collaborating with two University of Bristol Research Centres: Virtual Reality & Quantum. 

Both distinct fields are on the brink of a potential revolution in the roles they play in wider society. But does the wider society know that? And, if so, what does it think about it?

Virtual Reality... is readily available & being increasingly adopted by a wide range of makers & consumers. To most people however it can seem like a faddish niche for gamers to gorge themselves. How does VR work in documentary? Therapy? What does a VR saturated future look like? What will be the impact on individuals & society? Are we ready? Do we really want to be ready?

Quantum Physics... has long been hidden behind an impenetrable wall of theory but in the last several years an excitement has burgeoned around the real-life applications of the science. According to one researcher, Quantum Computing is ready “to eat the internet for breakfast.” What do we do once the internet has been digested? What does a Quantum internet mean for a future world citizen? What are the implications for how we lead our lives? What probems does Quantum solve? What dangers does it pose? Are we ready? Do we really want to be ready?


Kilter is using an established theatre-based arts practise to ask these questions of the researchers & any other stake-holders welcomed to the conversation, particularly young people who stand to inherit most from the promise of a brave new world.


The project ambitions include:

• the development of accessible performance-based resources for researchers to effectively communicate their research to the world 

• a facilitated dialogue between those helping to shape the future & those that are going to live in it so that researchers can work with relevant, useful guidance from a broad range of perspectives 

Finally, the project aims to create a template whereby artists of any discipline & scientists in any field can collaborate to achieve similar ambitions. We believe that by broadening the range of input into academia, researchers can be sure to focus on achieving public good.

This webpage is a live log of the process so that everyone concerned in the project can remember, replicate & share our workings on both sides of the fence.