VART3510 - AkE Internship :: Final Report Responding to Host Feedback

My internship experience gave me insight into the research application process and the speed at which the process to undertake academic research occurs. Darrin provided guidance in shaping the research and vital assistance with networking within the University and the protocols involved with preparing a research proposal. The process felt fluid and I was given freedom to set my own research goals which we developed in tandem. I was given the opportunity to work toward a postgraduate level of academic inquiry and developed some of the knowledge and skills required to undertake further research. Having had no prior experience with academic research projects I feel this is excellent preparation for the future, especially with the scope that this initial study may lead to further research.

Darrin and I have similar interests artistically so thankfully at all times I felt we were approaching the same goal in terms of field of inquiry - I think we are both genuinely excited to pursue this research topic. Darrin's own experience and knowledge generated from his postgraduate studies has been very beneficial. Along with my own literature research, his recommendations of texts have given me an ideal knowledge base to become familiar with when looking at the area where music, sound and neuroscience intersect.

The research project is scheduled to occur next semester where I will continue to gain experience in undertaking the research with participants off campus at Monash and learn the process of publishing the findings of which my name will be attached.

It is my intention to apply for the honours program and eventually move to PhD. This has been a great experience in moving toward this direction for the future.

HOST ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

Criteria

Ranking: circle (1 - not evident, 10 – high)

A) Tasks and Presentation: 8

B) Reliance and Independence: 8

C) Skills and Application: 8

D) Communication and collaboration with other staff: 8

Comments from Supervisor:

Jay’s original research project was to explore how binaural beats entrain particular brain states, with a view to collecting EEG data to control motion simulation systems on which the audience member would be seated. Through preliminary discussions it was decided to separate the research elements from the artistic outcomes – as the latter had the potential to confound the data through both their experiential complexity and the inherent recursion of the system.

In preparation for a lit review, and in the process of discussions with other departments, the existing data was surveyed and it was decided that such a seam of pure research stood to be too dry to explore within a fine art context. In order to find a meaningful relationship between sonic practice and psychophysiological exploration a new topic was considered – whether brain patterns would be substantially different for sound art versus traditional musics. The question at its core was whether genres such as noise and electroacoustic composition might be processed more as an environment, and not engage the language centres in the brain which have been linked to tonal music grammar.

Jay’s internship was designed to give him exposure to academic research practices and procedures. The key outcomes have been

• Research into generating technical access for more professional equipment
• Exploration of different departments at uni
• Preparation for lit review
• Exploration of ethics procedures
• Experiment design
• Survey design
• Technical research (EEG)

The tests he will be undertaking have been designed, and an ethics application is in process with CHEAN. Work with the experiment will continue beyond the internship.