Biography
Stephen Roddy is a Researcher and Lecturer working at the intersection of engineering and the creative arts at the Radical Humanities Lab and the Department of Digital Humanities at University College Cork. He has a background in sound and music computing (SMC), holding a Ph.D. in sonification: the use of sound to perceptualize data and convey information. Stephen’s research explores the application of auditory display/sonification, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), and sensor networking techniques in SMC, human-computer interaction (HCI), and creative arts contexts. This work is approached primarily through the perspectives of embodied cognitive science and cybernetics and is methodologically grounded in computational, and practice-based research methodologies.
Stephen’s previous projects have involved the design of auditory display solutions for large-scale IoT networks and investigated the integration of sonification and AI/ML techniques in generative music, sound art, and digital art applications. Much of this work was carried out under an IRC Postdoctoral Fellowship at CONNECT: the SFI Research Centre for Future Networks and Communications, at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), and subsequently at the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering at TCD. His work is widely disseminated through peer-reviewed journal publications, book chapters, and conference proceedings.
Stephen maintains a vibrant and diverse creative arts practice which forms a core component of his research activity. His creative projects span a variety of media and styles, including music composition and performance, generative and data-driven music and art practices, digital art, and sound art. His creative work, described as majestic and sweeping yet beautifully unsettling, is frequently performed and installed at home and abroad. His most recent musical work Leviathan is available through Fiadh Productions. Previous events have included the New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival, IMMA’s Earth Rising Festival, and the Helicotrema Recorded Audio Festival in Venice.
Research Interests
Sonification, Auditory Display, Sound and Music Computing, Human-computer Interaction, Internet of Things,Creative Coding, Digital Art, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cybernetics, Embodied Cognition, Aesthetics, Computational Creativity.Research Grants
| Project | Funding Body | Start Date | End Date | Award | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auditory Display for Large Scale IoT Networks | 01-JAN-17 |
Publications
Peer Reviewed Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2023) | 'The Kyoto School and Sound Art: A Nothingness of the Absolute' Stephen Roddy (2023) 'The Kyoto School and Sound Art: A Nothingness of the Absolute'. Resonance - The Journal Of Sound And Culture, 4 (1):69-87 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2023) | 'Signal to Noise Loops: A Cybernetic Approach to Musical Performance with Smart City Data and Generative Music Techniques' Stephen Roddy (2023) 'Signal to Noise Loops: A Cybernetic Approach to Musical Performance with Smart City Data and Generative Music Techniques'. Leonardo, 56 (1):87-94 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2020) | 'Using Conceptual Metaphors to Represent Temporal Context in Time Series Data Sonification' Stephen Roddy (2020) 'Using Conceptual Metaphors to Represent Temporal Context in Time Series Data Sonification'. Interacting With Computers, 31 (6):555-576 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2020) | 'Mapping for meaning: the embodied sonification listening model and its implications for the mapping problem in sonic information design' Stephen Roddy, Brian Bridges (2020) 'Mapping for meaning: the embodied sonification listening model and its implications for the mapping problem in sonic information design'. Journal On Multimodal User Interfaces, 14 :143-151 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2018) | 'Addressing the Mapping Problem in Sonic Information Design through Embodied Image Schemata, Conceptual Metaphors, and Conceptual Blending' Stephen Roddy, Brian Bridges (2018) 'Addressing the Mapping Problem in Sonic Information Design through Embodied Image Schemata, Conceptual Metaphors, and Conceptual Blending'. The Journal Of Sonic Studies, 17 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2014) | 'Embodied Aesthetics in Auditory Display' Stephen Roddy, Dermot Furlong (2014) 'Embodied Aesthetics in Auditory Display'. Organised Sound, 19 (1):70-77 [DOI] [Details] |
Book Chapters
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2023) | 'Creative Machine-Human Collaboration: Toward a Cybernetic Approach to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Techniques in the Creative Arts' Stephen Roddy (2023) 'Creative Machine-Human Collaboration: Toward a Cybernetic Approach to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Techniques in the Creative Arts' In: Michael Filimowicz (eds). AI and the Future of Creative Work. UK: Routledge. [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2021) | 'Meaning-making and Embodied Cognition in Sound Design Research' Stephen Roddy, Brian Bridges (2021) 'Meaning-making and Embodied Cognition in Sound Design Research' In: Michael Filimowicz (eds). Doing Research in Sound Design. UK: Focal Press. [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2018) | 'Sound, Ecological Affordances and Embodied Mappings in Auditory Display' Stephen Roddy, Brian Bridges (2018) 'Sound, Ecological Affordances and Embodied Mappings in Auditory Display' In: Michael Filimowicz, Veronika Tzankova (eds). New Directions in Third Wave Human-Computer Interaction: Volume 2 - Methodologies. New York City: Springer Nature. [DOI] [Details] |
Conference Publications
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2022) | The International Conference on Auditory Display Stephen Roddy (2022) A Technique for Controlling the Proportion of Information in the Sonification of Complex Time Series Data The International Conference on Auditory Display , 27-JUN-22 [Details] | |
| (2022) | The International Conference on Auditory Display Stephen Roddy (2022) Creating Signal to Noise Loops v4 The International Conference on Auditory Display Online, , 27-JUN-22 [Details] | |
| (2021) | xCoAx Stephen Roddy (2021) The Body in the Machine: Indices Online xCoAx Online, , 12-JUL-21 - 17-JUL-21 [Details] | |
| (2021) | The International Conference on Auditory Display Stephen Roddy, Brian Bridges (2021) The Design of a Smart City Sonification System using a Conceptual Blending and Musical Framework, Web Audio and Deep Learning Techniques The International Conference on Auditory Display Online, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2018) | Conference on Computation, Communication, Aesthetics & X Stephen Roddy (2018) Signal to Noise Loops i++: Noise Water Air Conference on Computation, Communication, Aesthetics & X Madrid, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2018) | BCS Human Computer Interaction Conference Stephen Roddy, Dermot Furlong (2018) Vowel Formant Profiles and Image Schemata in Auditory Display BCS Human Computer Interaction Conference Belfast, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2018) | Computer Simulated Musical Creativity Stephen Roddy (2018) Ambient Data Monitoring w/Generative Music Systems using Evolutionary Computing & Machine Learning Techniques Computer Simulated Musical Creativity University College Dublin, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2017) | Audio Mostly Stephen Roddy (2017) Composing The Good Ship Hibernia and the Hole in the Bottom of the World Audio Mostly [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2017) | Invisible Places Stephen Roddy (2017) Absolute Nothingness: The Kyoto School and Sound Art Practice Invisible Places Sao Miguel, Azores, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2016) | MusTWork: The Music Technology Workshop Stephen Roddy, Brian Bridges (2016) Sounding Human with Data: The Role of Embodied Conceptual Metaphors and Aesthetics in Representing and Exploring Data Sets MusTWork: The Music Technology Workshop Unviersity College Dublin, [Details] | |
| (2015) | The International Conference on Auditory Display Stephen Roddy, Dermot Furlong (2015) Sonification Listening: An Empirical Embodied Approach The International Conference on Auditory Display University of Music and Performing Arts, Graz, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2015) | The Sound and Music Computing Conference Stephen Roddy, Dermot Furlong (2015) Embodied Auditory Display Affordances The Sound and Music Computing Conference University of Ireland, Maynooth, [Details] | |
| (2013) | The International Conference on Auditory Display Stephen Roddy, Dermot Furlong (2013) Embodied Cognition in Auditory Display The International Conference on Auditory Display Łódź, Poland, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2013) | The Irish Sound Science and Technology Convocation Stephen Roddy, Dermot Furlong (2013) Rethinking the Transmission Medium in Live Computer Music Performance The Irish Sound Science and Technology Convocation Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, [Details] |
Published Reports
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2022) | IEEE Committee on Ethically Aligned Design for Artists. (2022) The Voice of the Artist in the Age of the Algorithm. IEEE Ethically Aligned Design Series. Martin Clancy, Buse Çetin, Rachana Kg, Eleonora Lima, Artur Ospiov, Emileena Pedigo, Stephen Roddy, Patricia Treusch, Rebekah Tweed (2022) IEEE Committee on Ethically Aligned Design for Artists. (2022) The Voice of the Artist in the Age of the Algorithm. IEEE Ethically Aligned Design Series. IEEE, USA. [Details] |
Commissioned Compositions
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2017) | Hear This Dance. Sibéal Davitt, Niall Vallely, Stephen Roddy (2017) Hear This Dance. Dance Ireland: Commissioned Compositions [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2016) | Fógraím/I Proclaim for Embodied at the GPO. Sibéal Davitt, Tristan Rosenstock, Stephen Roddy (2016) Fógraím/I Proclaim for Embodied at the GPO. GPO: Commissioned Compositions [Details] | |
| (2010) | (You)th Share w/ Legitimate Bodies Dance Company. Stephen Roddy, Cristina Goletti, Nick Bryson (2010) (You)th Share w/ Legitimate Bodies Dance Company. Birr Town Theater & Arts Centre, Offaly: Commissioned Compositions [Details] | |
| (2010) | Romeo & Juliet w/ Legitimate Bodies Dance Company. Stephen Roddy, Cristina Goletti, Nick Bryson (2010) Romeo & Juliet w/ Legitimate Bodies Dance Company. Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Offaly: Commissioned Compositions [Details] | |
| (2009) | Pinocchio - Dance of the Long Nose w/ Legitimate Bodies Dance Company. Stephen Roddy, Cristina Goletti, Nick Bryson (2009) Pinocchio - Dance of the Long Nose w/ Legitimate Bodies Dance Company. Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Offaly: Commissioned Compositions [Details] |
Sound recording
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2023) | Leviathan. Stephen Roddy (2023) Leviathan. Fiadh Productions: New York: Sound recording [Details] | |
| (2023) | Signal to Noise Loops. Stephen Roddy (2023) Signal to Noise Loops. Sound recording [Details] | |
| (2021) | Idle Hands- A 31-Part Exploration Of Irish Unemployment From 1983 - 2014 In G Major. Stephen Roddy (2021) Idle Hands- A 31-Part Exploration Of Irish Unemployment From 1983 - 2014 In G Major. Stolen Mirror: Limerick: Sound recording [Details] | |
| (2016) | Le Son Du Corps Et Un Corps de Sons. Stephen Roddy (2016) Le Son Du Corps Et Un Corps de Sons. Sound recording [Details] | |
| (2016) | The Human Cost: A Sonification of Ireland's Economic Crash. Stephen Roddy (2016) The Human Cost: A Sonification of Ireland's Economic Crash. Trininity College Dublin: Sound recording [Details] |
Performances (Music)
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2022) | The International Community for Auditory Display Concert. Stephen Roddy (2022) The International Community for Auditory Display Concert. Florida & Online: Performances (Music) [Details] | |
| (2022) | Audio Mostly Concert. Stephen Roddy (2022) Audio Mostly Concert. Trentoi Italy & Online: Performances (Music) [Details] | |
| (2021) | New York Electroacoustic Festival. Stephen Roddy (2021) New York Electroacoustic Festival. Newy York, Online: Performances (Music) [Details] | |
| (2021) | Tides Album Launch Concert. Stephen Roddy (2021) Tides Album Launch Concert. Limerick: Performances (Music) [Details] | |
| (2018) | Irish Sound Science and Technology Concerts. Stephen Roddy (2018) Irish Sound Science and Technology Concerts. Ulster University, Magee Campus, Derry: Performances (Music) [Details] | |
| (2018) | xCoAx: Computation, Communication, Aesthetics & X Concerts. Stephen Roddy (2018) xCoAx: Computation, Communication, Aesthetics & X Concerts. Madrid: Performances (Music) [Details] | |
| (2018) | Computer Simulated Musical Creativity Concert. Stephen Roddy (2018) Computer Simulated Musical Creativity Concert. Dublin: Performances (Music) [Details] | |
| (2017) | Audio Mostly Installation. Stephen Roddy (2017) Audio Mostly Installation. Queen Mary University of London: Performances (Music) [Details] | |
| (2017) | The International Community for Auditory Display Concert. Stephen Roddy (2017) The International Community for Auditory Display Concert. Penn State University: Performances (Music) [Details] | |
| (2017) | Sonic Arts Waterford, Sonic Dreams Festival. Stephen Roddy (2017) Sonic Arts Waterford, Sonic Dreams Festival. Waterford: Performances (Music) [Details] | |
| (2016) | The Irish Sound Science and Technology Association Concerts. Stephen Roddy (2016) The Irish Sound Science and Technology Association Concerts. Ulster University, Magee Campus, Derry: Performances (Music) [Details] | |
| (2016) | Performance of at The Cube. Sibéal Davitt, Tristan Rosenstock, Stephen Roddy (2016) Performance of at The Cube. National University of Ireland Galway: Performances (Music) [Details] | |
| (2015) | CMC's Salon Series at Kevin Barry Room, NCH. Stephen Roddy (2015) CMC's Salon Series at Kevin Barry Room, NCH. The National Concert Hall, Dublin: Performances (Music) [Details] | |
| (2015) | The International Community for Auditory Display Concert. Stephen Roddy (2015) The International Community for Auditory Display Concert. University of Music and Performing Arts, Graz: Performances (Music) [Details] | |
| (2015) | Irish Sound Science and Technology Concerts. Stephen Roddy (2015) Irish Sound Science and Technology Concerts. University of Limerick: Performances (Music) [Details] | |
| (2015) | Sound and Music Compting Concert. Stephen Roddy (2015) Sound and Music Compting Concert. National University of Ireland Maynooth: Performances (Music) [Details] | |
| (2015) | Helicotrema Festival 2015. Stephen Roddy, AMAE/Depinto & Jean-Luc Nancy (2015) Helicotrema Festival 2015. Venice: Performances (Music) [Details] | |
| (2014) | ISSTA 2014 Concert. Stephen Roddy (2014) ISSTA 2014 Concert. National University of Ireland Maynooth: Performances (Music) [Details] |
Installation
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2022) | Video Sound Archive. Stephen Roddy (2022) Video Sound Archive. USA: Installation [Details] | |
| (2022) | The Irish Museum of Modern Art, Earth Rising Festival. Stephen Roddy (2022) The Irish Museum of Modern Art, Earth Rising Festival. Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin: Installation [Details] | |
| (2022) | International Computer Music Conference Installations. Stephen Roddy, AMAE/Depinto & Jean-Luc Nancy (2022) International Computer Music Conference Installations. Limerick: Installation [Details] | |
| (2021) | International Computer Music Conference Installations. Stephen Roddy (2021) International Computer Music Conference Installations. Santiago Chile & Online: Installation [Details] | |
| (2021) | xCoAx: Computation, Communication, Aesthetics & X Installations. Stephen Roddy, AMAE/Depinto & Jean-Luc Nancy (2021) xCoAx: Computation, Communication, Aesthetics & X Installations. Porto & Online: Installation [Details] | |
| (2021) | Culture Night Dublin. Stephen Roddy (2021) Culture Night Dublin. Dublin and Online: Installation [Details] | |
| (2020) | The International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression. Stephen Roddy, AMAE/Depinto & Jean-Luc Nancy (2020) The International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression. Royal Birmingham Conservatoire: Installation [Details] | |
| (2019) | Irish Sound Sciene and Technolgy Installations. Stephen Roddy, AMAE/Depinto & Jean-Luc Nancy (2019) Irish Sound Sciene and Technolgy Installations. Cork Institute of Technology: Installation [Details] | |
| (2016) | Sonorities Festival of Contemporary Music Installations. Stephen Roddy (2016) Sonorities Festival of Contemporary Music Installations. Queens University Belfast: Installation [Details] | |
| (2016) | Irish Sound Science and Technology Conference Installation. Stephen Roddy, Alan Dormer (2016) Irish Sound Science and Technology Conference Installation. Ulster University, Magee Campus, Derry: Installation [Details] | |
| (2016) | The International Workshop on Digital Empathy. Stephen Roddy, Alan Dormer (2016) The International Workshop on Digital Empathy. Ulster University, Magee Campus, Derry: Installation [Details] |
Magazine article
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2019) | Technology Trends Transforming the World. Stephen Roddy (2019) Technology Trends Transforming the World. Magazine article [Details] |
Thesis/Dissertation
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2016) | Embodied sonification. Roddy, Stephen; (2016) Embodied sonification. Trininity College Dublin: Thesis/Dissertation [DOI] [Details] |
Professional Activities
Honours and Awards
| Year | Title | Awarding Body | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Best Use of Sound in a Concert Piece or Demonstration | The International Community for Auditory Display |
Professional Associations
| Association | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The IEEE Committee for Ethically Aligned Design in the Arts | Board Member | 01-JAN-19 / | |
| Internet of Sounds Research Network | Audio in IoT Research | 03-NOV-23 / | |
| International Community for Auditory Display. | Member | 12-JUN-13 / 20-JUL-23 | |
| International Computer Music Association | Member | 12-JAN-21 / 20-JUL-23 | |
| Irish Music Rights Organisation | Member | 10-AUG-21 / 20-JUL-23 |
Conference Contributions
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2018) | The Irish Sound Science and Technology Association Conference, Stephen Roddy (2018) IoT and AI-Driven Audio in the Smart City: A Rhythmanalysis inspired approach. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], The Irish Sound Science and Technology Association Conference, Ulster University, Magee Campus, Derry . [Details] | |
| (2016) | Irish Sound Science and Technology Association Conference, Stephen Roddy, Alan Dormer (2016) Sound, Place & Multiplace. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Irish Sound Science and Technology Association Conference, Ulster University, Magee Campus, Derry . [Details] | |
| (2015) | Digital Materials, Stephen Roddy (2015) Sonification and the Digital Divide. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Digital Materials, National University of Ireland, Galway . [Details] |
Employment
| Employer | Position | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| School of Creative Arts, Trinity College Dublin | Assistant Professor in the Digital Arts | 10-AUG-22 / 06-FEB-23 | |
| School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin | Postdoctoral Fellow | 12-MAR-19 / 06-FEB-23 | |
| Connect Centre Trinity College Dublin | Irish Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow | 01-SEP-17 / 31-AUG-19 | |
| Connect Centre Trinity College Dublin | Postdoctoral Fellow | 17-JUL-17 / 31-AUG-17 |
Journal Activities
| Journal | Role | To / From | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Sciences | Peer Reviewer | - | |
| Journal On Multimodal User Interfaces | Peer Reviewer | - | |
| Digital Creativity | Peer Reviewer | - | |
| Organised Sound | Peer Reviewer | - | |
| Multimodal Technologies And Interaction | Peer Reviewer | - | |
| International Journal Of Human-Computer Studies | Peer Reviewer | - | |
| Ergonomics | Peer Reviewer | - | |
| Displays | Peer Reviewer | - | |
| Interacting With Computers | Peer Reviewer | - |