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07 Feb 2018

5 mins with Prof. David Crawford

In November 2017 we launched our annual technology conference - CWIC 2018 which is taking place on July 4th at Hinxton Genome Campus in Cambridgeshire. This years theme is ‘Beyond the Hype’ and the conference will be celebrating its 10th year so it’s a major milestone for the organising committee.

We caught up with David Crawford, Professor of Digital Media at The University of Essex and Ravensbourne University, who is on the 2018 CWIC committee.

Q: What is your role at Ravensbourne?

I work in the Research Department as a Professor in Digital Media Studies, and am also involved in the building of degree apprenticeship and work-based learning courses for Broadcast and Television Industries. We strive to build strong industry links for course curriculums, research projects and our teaching practice.

Q: When did your first start out in the world of tech?

I started as an apprentice with the Marconi Company in Chelmsford in 1965. In those days, Marconi’s was a world-leading engineering giant, with manufacturing and development operations in many sectors including communications, aeronautics, broadcasting and radio … a marvellous place to learn about so many different technologies.

Q: Tell us about your involvement with CW?

I am one of the Special Interest Group Champions for ‘Digital Delivery & Content’, and this Group works to keep CW members up to speed on the latest developments in the creation, management and distribution of content, including new technologies like virtual and augmented reality, and 3D audio and 360 degree video. During my long career in industry and academia, I have had the pleasure of previously working with many of my colleagues at CW.

Q: Whare are you looking forward to the most by being on the CWIC Committee?

Contributing to some really good workshops and conferences that will challenge people's thinking and stimulate interest for young people to work in the tech industries.

Q: What do you think the biggest innovations and challenges will be in the tech sector in 2018 or beyond?

One of the biggest challenges is to get more young people into the industry with the right skills and commitment to keep the UK as a leading inventive and entrepreneurial society.

Q: What is your top reason for attending technology conferences?

To learn about advances in technology areas associated with, but not directly connected with, my own knowledge and skills … so often cross-fertilisation produces amazing innovation.

Q: CWIC will explore various key tech themes - which one are you most looking forward to unpicking?

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are hot topics at the moment, and there are some exciting opportunities in so many different applications and marketplaces. It would be interesting to understand how Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Deep Learning inter-relate … and whether the key to their optimal implementation is via neural networks, quantum computing or biological processors. 

For more information on this year's International Conference, visit the CWIC event page.

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