Berlin 2021 Sound Team Blog

Studio Austen, composed of Berlin-based Dr. Kat Austen, exhibits a focus on environmental issues through artistic expression. Austen conducts extensive field research into affected environments that become the heart of her projects, blending scientific and multimedia methods to analyze the connection between art and social and environmental justice. Many of Austen’s projects explore the intersection of environmental issues, such as climate change, and social culture and interaction. For more information on Kat Austen and the studio click here

The Preparation Term Begins and The Project Team is Created

• The group met for the first time and started to get to know each other more!

  • Completed a team charter for the 14-week group project

• Completed assignments to promote critical thinking around our project topic and sponsor

• Started to research other WPI IQP projects for similarities and ideas

Main Accomplishments

• Created the first version of our Objectives and a draft of our Mission Statement.

• We began work on the Background of our paper, starting with an outline.

  • This took a lot more shifting around than we would have anticipated, but we finally found an order we were happy with.

• On Friday we met with Kat Austen, our sponsor, and shifted our focus from Lusatia, Germany to the Jiu Valley, Romania.

• We quickly readjusted and produced a solid Background section for feedback only 2 days later.

Main Accomplishments

• We created our first full Background draft and Methods outline.

  • This draft included a lot of shifting ideas and refining content. We were finally able to make the Background flow with important information.

• Started an outline of the Methods by brainstorming ways to reach each objective while answering each research question.

• Learned about ethical research practices in ID2050.

Main Accomplishments

• Settled on a 'flow' for our Background section after many iterations

• Finalized a written Introduction and Background draft

• Updated Project Objectives and Methods to reflect current goals

Main Accomplishments

• Completed a final draft of the Methods section

• Finalized the project presentation

• Finalized website

Main Accomplishments

• Presented our project proposal to the class

• Finished our IRB submission

• Finalized and submitted our complete project proposal

Main Accomplishments

• Attended the first IQP meeting with our advisors, Professor DiMassa and Carrera, and our sponsor, Kat Austen

• Presented our progress to Kat Austen and obtained feedback about our methods to ensure that our work will attain the desired result

• Discussed various helpful contacts for our project and contacted the Romania Project Center

Soundscapes describe a specific environment and culture by highlighting sounds that are native and unique to specific regions across our world. They can encapsulate the biodiversity and natural wilderness of an area, while simultaneously recording the human reaction and experience to a specific environment (Dumyahn, 2011). Soundscapes offer a unique perspective because the impression and perceptions left by sound vary from person to person. Therefore, sound can fully embody environmental and cultural viewpoints in a way that photos or paintings never could.

Visit Dr. Kat Austen's website for details about how to collect soundscapes: here

Main Accomplishments

• Contacted relevant University of Petrosani departments and continued communication with the Romania Project Center leads

• Conducted a literature review to determine the most effective methods for remote Participatory Action Research and sound collection

• Viewed Andrei Dascalescu's documentary, "Planeta Petrila" which portrayed the closing of the Petrila Mine, and the aftermath for the community located in the Jiu Valley.

• Interviewed Andrei Dascalescu about his experiences and connections to mining in the Jiu Valley to better understand the culture and landscape.

Main Accomplishments

• Continued to conduct the literature review, and from this research determined the most effective methods for Participatory Action Research and sound collection.

• Organized and conducted an interview with Mihai Danciu, the secretary-general of the Planeta Petrila NGO.

• Discussed various helpful contacts for our project, specifically for certain implementation methods.

Main Accomplishments

• Completed the literature review, and from this research determined the most effective method for participatory action research and sound collection.

• Organized and conducted an interview with Professor Bianchi, a music technology professor with sound collection experience at WPI.

• Continued conducting outreach to Romanian contacts to discern project interest.

• Continued app development.

Main Accomplishments

• Continued app development

• Reconstructed report to a more topic-based design. This new structure will help with clarity and conciseness.

• Continued conducting outreach to Romanian contacts to discern project interest.

Main Accomplishments

• Continued app development

• Began developing Recommendations

• Successfully contacted teachers in the Jiu Valley.

• Continued conducting outreach to Romanian contacts to discern project interest.

Main Accomplishments

• Continued app development

• Began developing Recommendations

• Successfully contacted teachers in the Jiu Valley.

• Continued conducting outreach to Romanian contacts to discern project interest.

Main Accomplishments

• Completed app development

• Completed Recommendations and finalized project report

• Organized our contact spreadsheet, finalized outreach materials

• Finalized our app booklet

• Finalized Presentation, presented on May 14th