Think Tanks
CRESCENDO Faculty and Staff
A musical piece created from environmental data was presented at a ÎÞÂëרÇø Symphonic Band & Wind Ensemble concert on February 6. The music is written in two parts: Sanctuary, which represents the coral reef under seige and Cardinal Flow that takes you through the ups and downs of red tide.CRESCENDO (Communicating Research Expansively through Sonification and Community-Engaged Neuroaesthetic Data-literacy Opportunities) is an innovative interdisciplinary project that reimagines how environmental data is communicated. Led by Dr. Heather O’Leary, the initiative translates complex data from critical issues like harmful algal blooms and red tide into immersive experiences that bridge the gap between scientific research and public understanding.
By applying collective transdisciplinary expertise to new evidence-based techniques in data-driven arts, CRESCENDO engages local and global communities facing dual challenges of (1) marine or environmental risk and (2) marginalization from environmental research dissemination.
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The CRESCENDO project, focusing on democratizing ÎÞÂëרÇø’s most compelling environmental research, unites faculty—of all levels and across 8+ colleges—to (1) define an emergent field of transdisciplinary data-driven arts while (2) building a universal mechanism for enhancing the broader impacts of any ÎÞÂëרÇø research project with public outreach capable of reaching community members with varying degrees of data literacy.
Our team builds on traditional publication arcs and outreach with creative projects including research articles on data-driven art (as a field, integrative process, predictor, and diagnostic), multi-level K-20 STEAM lesson plans, artistic products such as public performances (music, dance), music videos, augmented reality experiences, and public gallery installations that enable democratic and lifelong learning.
Through its innovative use of data-driven arts, CRESCENDO positions ÎÞÂëרÇø as a leader in environmental research and public engagement, with the project garnering media attention on and ÎÞÂëרÇø’s CAS Chronicles.
Principal Investigator
Heather O’Leary, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Anthropology, ÎÞÂëרÇø
CRESCENDO Team
- Casey Frechette, Ph.D. (Journalism and Digital Communication, ÎÞÂëרÇø)
- Christopher Campbell, M.A. (Journalism and Digital Communication, ÎÞÂëרÇø)
- Paul Reller, Ph.D. (Music Composition, ÎÞÂëרÇø)
- Matthew McKutchen, Ph.D. (School of Music, ÎÞÂëרÇø)
- Mya Breitbart, Ph.D. (Biological Oceanography, ÎÞÂëרÇø)
- David Rosengrant, Ph.D. (STEM Education, ÎÞÂëרÇø)
- Maggi Mars Brisbane (Biological Oceanography, ÎÞÂëרÇø)
- (CITL, Biology, ÎÞÂëרÇø)
- Holly Donahue Singh, Ph.D. (Honors Anthropology, ÎÞÂëרÇø)
- Sarah Howard (Art & Art History, ÎÞÂëרÇø)
- (Hospiltality Management, UCF)
- David Watts, MFA (Art & Art History, ÎÞÂëרÇø)
- (Library Research and Instruction, ÎÞÂëרÇø)
- (Library Research and Instruction, ÎÞÂëרÇø)
- Richard Rho (Education, ÎÞÂëרÇø)
- Makenzie Kerr (College of Marine Science, ÎÞÂëרÇø)
Student Contributors
- Grace Oh
- Carrie Clarke
- Huron Falkenburt
- Hunter Pomeroy
- Elis Jones
- Latesia Coleman
- Sparrow Collins
- Anabelle Fletcher
- Isabela Fraguada
In the News
- NPR - All Things Considered:
- CAS Chronicles: Anthropology Professor Bridges Gap in Scientific Communication Through Music
- ÎÞÂëרÇø St. Petersburg News:
- CBC Radio:
- Symphony – From the League of American Orchestras –