Centre for European and International Studies Research

Trudy Barber

Dr Trudy Barber

SCAFM

Rm 3.19
St. Georges Building
High Street
Portsmouth
PO1 2HY

trudy.barber@port.ac.uk

Profile

My current interests started in 1990 at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design in London where I completed BA in Fine Art. I am particularly interested in the body and sexuality, machines and computing technology. I combined all my interests within degree work by producing one of the world’s first immersive Virtual Reality installations with a sexual theme in conjunction with a computer media production company called ‘Virtual S’. My work was particularly understood and welcomed by ‘sexual subcultures’ that inspired me to complete a PhD in Sociology and Cultural Studies at the University of Kent at Canterbury. My thesis – Computer Fetishism and Sexual Futurology: Exposing the Impact of Arousal on Technologies of Cyberspace - covers various socio-sexual aspects of the Internet, Virtual Reality and New Media.

Current research interests include: human-computer-interaction; new media development and content; consumer generated content; online social networking; sexuality and sexual subcultures; science fiction, cyberpunk and the future; immersive and non-immersive virtuality (such as Second Life), the convergence and customisation of communication technologies and issues surrounding theory and creative digital practice.  I am a Member of the Royal Institution, the Association of Internet Researchers and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts.


Qualifications

  • PhD. Sociology. (Kent)
  • BA (Hons ) Fine Art. (Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, University of the Arts London)

Research Clusters

  • Film and Media
  • Women's and Gender Studies

Discipline Areas

  • Cultural Studies
  • Media Studies
  • Social Theory

Research CV 

Research Project

  • Currently working on Capability Fund project: Creative Digital Practice and Theory Mash-Up (CDPT mash-up): An interdisciplinary approach exploring, creating and innovating ‘New Media’ and digital content.
  • The proposed New Media Content Research Group intends to be a focus and resource for new media and digital content projects. This will enable the innovation and implementation of interdisciplinary ideas and research that will lead to providing new skills and creative artefacts informing students and researchers, integrating differing disciplines and linking practice with theory.

Journal Articles

  • Barber, Trudy) (2004) Deviation as Key to Innovation: Understanding a Culture of the Future. Foresight Journal. Vol. 6 No. 3. Pp 141-152. Emerald Publishing. Cambridge (2004).  (Winner of the ‘Award for Excellence: Outstanding Paper’ by the Literati Club, Emerald Publishing (2005).

Book Chapters

  • Barber Trudy (Forthcoming) ’Stephanie is Wired: who shall turn him on?’ in Pullen C and Cooper M (Eds) LGBT Identity and New Media (10/31/07; collection) Virtual identity and explorations of sexuality: Publisher TBA
  • Barber Trudy. (Forthcoming) 'Kinky Borgs and Sexy Robots: the fetish, fashion and discipline of Seven of Nine'. In Geraghty L. (Ed) Future Visions: Key Science Fiction and Fantasy television Texts. Scarecrow Press.
  • Barber, Trudy A Pleasure Prophesy: Predictions for the Sex Tourist of the Future.  In Waskul Dennis (Ed).  Net/SeXXX: Sex Pornography and the Internet. Peter Lang. New York (2004).
  • Mackay, Judith.(2000) The Penguin Atlas Of Human Sexual Behaviour: Myriad Editions. USA:  Credited consultant for Atlas chapter on the future of sex.
  • Barber, Trudy. Virtual Mentalities, Sexual Physicalities Final chapter in Wood, David (Ed) Body Probe: Mutating physical boundaries. Creation Books. London (1999).
  • Wood David. (ed.), The New Flesh: Creation Publishing. London. Quotation in photographic anthology (1999). 

Online Reviews

  • Barber, Trudy. (online 2004. http://www.com.washington.edu/rccs/) Resource Centre for Cyberculture Studies. (RCCS, University of Washington) Book Review of the following: Robin Baker (2000) Sex in the Future: the Reproductive Revolution and How it Will Change Us. Arcade Publishing. New York.
  • Barber Trudy. (http://www.com.washington.edu/rccs/) Resource Centre for Cyberculture Studies. (RCCS, University of Washington) Book Review of the following: Whitty, Monica .T, Baker, Andrea J., Inman, James A. (2007) Online Matchmaking. Palgrave MacMillan. London, New York. 

Papers/invited speaker

  • Royal Society of Medicine, London. Invited speaker for ‘Pleasures Symposium’ - requested title by organiser Dr. Kevan Wylie or The Porterbrook Clinic, Sheffield Hallam University and  World Association of Sexologists: ‘Can Cybersex ever be really pleasurable’? (February 2008)
  • Portsmouth Screen 07. Invited plenary speaker on New Media and online video streaming for the city festival of film and screen based media. (November 2007)
  • Media Arts and Design Bedford University. Invited speaker for research seminar series. (2007)
  • MRCS Conference, Ireland. Cybersex: Uses and Abuses on the Internet. Paper presentation: What can happen in Cyberspace? Dublin (2005).
  • Keynote address: Jyväskylä Polytechnic International Conference, Finland, theme: Sexuality in a Virtual World. – A threat or an opportunity in promoting sexual health? Invited as keynote speaker: ‘Taking the advantages, avoiding the threats: How to make the most of a virtual world.’  (2004). 
  • Surrey University: Department of Sociology: Invited to present a ‘Future Sex Manifesto’ for: 'Futures of Feminist Science and Technology Studies'. Seminar series (2004).
  • Chair: European Federation of Sexology: Chair for Internet session Theme: Sex and Computer Mediated Communications:  Integrating Computer Technology with Intimacy and Relationships for the 21st Century.  Conference in Brighton.  Also presented paper: 'Intel Inside': Exploring the Innovative Predilections of 'Master R' (2004). 
  • ESRC: University of Hull Department of Sociology and Anthropology Lecture: Cybersex and Adult 'Digiplay': Introducing Novel Forms of Cyberculture (2004).
  • University of Essex. Chimera Institute for Socio-technical Innovation and Research: Seminar presentation in association with BT Exact:  Computer Fetishism and Sexual Futurology (2004).  University of Salford: Arts and New Media dept. Two and a half hour Lecture on Teledildonics (2004). ESRC: Manchester University ESRC Centre for Research on Innovation and Competition (CRIC) paper presentation: ‘Turning On’ to Leisure with Pleasure:  Exploring unusually innovative experiences of 'adult digiplay' (2004).
  • World Creative Forum, London Design Week:  Invited speaker on Panel. Exploring the impact of creativity on business and society (2003). 
  • Ideas in Cyberspace Education (ICE): Paper presentation: 'Reading' cyberspace: the fetishising of information from an online environment? Edinburgh University Conference at Higham Hall, Penrith (2002).
  • The Porterbrook Lecture: Presentation on Cybersex and the Internet for the Porterbrook Clinic, Sheffield (2002). 
  • The ‘Friends of St. Bride’ (graphic design and printing) first annual conference: Paper presentation: 'Cybersex text' . London (2002). 
  • Chair: 6th. European Congress of Sexology: Presented paper and chaired symposia. Limassol Cyprus (2002). 
  • British Association of Sex and Relationship Therapists (BASRT) Conference: 2 hour presentation 'Cyberculture and cybersex: an Introduction’ Loughborough University (2002). 
  • ESRC: Virtual Methods: Presented paper ' Embedded Fetishism and the Revelations of a Cyberdominatrix' at the Centre for Research into Innovation, Culture and Technology (CRICT) Brunel University, London (2001).
  • London University: On-Line Education & Training: Presentation and discussion title: Cyberspace, telepresence and communication: a journey from Virtual Reality to the Internet. Department of Education, London University (2001). 
  • Chair: 15th. World Congress Of Sexology: Presentation of research work and Symposium Chair. Paris (2001). 
  • University of Kent at Canterbury:  Lecture for undergraduate students in Culture Studies. Title: Cybersex: An Introduction (2001). 
  • Cybersalon at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA): Panel discussion on cybersex at London (2000).
  • BSA: ‘New Directions In Social Research’, Nottingham University: Presented paper for the postgraduate conference (2000). 
  • Millennium Lectures: At various venues in Kent for winter/spring 2000 (Lecture title: From Canvas to Cyberspace). 
  • Art And Technology Symposium: Gave lecture to Central Saint Martins College of Art undergraduates in their seminar week of cultural studies. London (1997). 
  • World Wide Virtual Reality Conference : San Francisco Conference, ‘Silicon Valley’ U.S.A. Invited to give paper on cybersex: ‘Coming to terms with the sexual ghost in virtual space’ (1997). 
  • Pleasures Unbound: Lecture: ‘Cybersex the New Creative Fetish’ at the Coventry Gallery London (1995). 
  • Embodied Knowledge & Virtual Space: Conference. Presented paper at Goldsmiths College, University of London (1995) 
  • Virtual Futures: Cyberevolution: Conference: Presented paper at the University of Warwick, Coventry (1995).
  • Art, Gender and Technology: Symposium in Toronto, Canada by Public Access. Gave seminar concerning Sexual Technicians, Computer Fetishists and Scientific Artists (1995).
  • McLuhan Institute: Live ISDN cyberconference link/interview(CU-CME) with the Institute from London to Toronto, Canada (1995). 
  • I.C.A (Institute of Contemporary Arts): Symposium on the ‘Virtual Body’ in London. Gave presentation of work (1994). 
  • Los Angeles International Art Fair: LA in California USA. Gave presentation of work (1993). 
  • Erotica 1993: Erotic symposium in Bologna, Italy. Took part in panel with Frederico Fellini and presented seminar on ‘Future Sex’ (1993).  

Media Consultancy

  • World of Wonder Television Production. Interviewed for documentary series on sex and technology, to be broadcast in the US. (Recorded Nov 2007 to be broadcast in January 2008. Title still in progress with World of Wonder.)
  • School of Creative Arts Film and Media; Social Workers Integration Group; LLTV. Adapted and directed three online streamed films at Portsmouth University - an example of community interaction with an underlying pedagogical purpose. (2007) http://film.lltv.co.uk
  • LLTV (Local Local Television). Online streaming New Media project creative consultant. (2006 ongoing)        
  • RTE Dublin. Appeared on live debate television programme ‘The Big Bite’ (2005). 
  • RTE/BBC South East. Live Radio Interview (2005). 
  • Resonance FM Radio. Live Interview for ‘Midnight sex talk’ (2005). 
  • Channel 4:  Interview and consulting for Optomen Television. London (2004).  
  • Spyworm.TV: Interview for Canadian/US Documentary 'The Mechanical Bride'. London (2003). 
  • Sci-Fi Channel: Polemic 'The Pleasure Prophesies' © for series ' Unthinkable'. Sci-Fi in house production. Autumn schedule London (2002). 
  • Net magazine:  Consultant and featured in the article: 'Virtual Kicks' for Jen Rourke, 2002.
  • Loaded magazine  Consultant for the article: 'Lock up your daughters' for Harriet Warner, 2001.        
  • Bravo TV: Interviewed/consultant for '3001 a Sex oddity' Scream Films. Autumn schedule London (2002).       
  • BBC Choice: Interviewed for 'Internet Weekend, looking for love'. London (2000). 
  • Channel 4 Late: Specialist opinions in documentary series called Digital Sex for Ricochet Films. London (2000). 
  • UK Living: Interviewed on chat show Michael Cole on cybersex and the future of sexuality (1998).          
  • European Business News: Interview on the future of sexuality for satellite news programe. London (1997). 
  • Strange Universe: Interviewed on ‘sex suits’ for US TV series. London/California. (1997). 
  • Cyber-Cafe: Interviewed on cybersex for late night ‘Internet/cyberspace’ program. Meridian TV. London (1996). 
  • BBC Radio 5: Featured in radio series on the future of sexuality, interviewed by Jenni Eclaire. London (1996).  
  • Carnal Knowledge: Guest on late night adult quiz show for Carlton TV. London (1996) 
  • Sex Files: Interviewed on Cybersex for late night satellite channel, UK Living. London (1996). 
  • The Good Sex Guide Late: Programs on cybersex. Interviewed by Toyah Willcox. London (1996). 
  • The Torture Garden: Organised Internet link for TG’s 5th. Anniversary Cybersex party at The Ministry of Sound. London (1995). 
  • Live TV: Interviewed for several programs for cable television station concerning sexuality, gender and technology at the world’s first Internet café, ‘Sub Cyberia’. London (1995).  
  • Sexual Healing: Cybersex work featured in Canadian based documentary for Womens’ TV in Toronto (1995).
  • Fetish: Researcher for television program concerning fetishism for ‘The Red Light Zone’, Channel 4. London (1995). 
  • Out Of Bounds: Art directed drama featuring Spanish performance artist Albert Vidal, shown at the Chicago ‘underground’ film festival USA. Producer Tim Woodward/Skin Two. London (1994). 
  • Kilroy: Featured in talk show on sexuality and the future, for the BBC. London (1994). 
  • MTV: Music TV news item, researched, interviewed and created sex suit featured in the Computer Sex item. Broadcast by satellite over Europe (1999). 
  • Rapido: BBC cult TV series, featured VR work and interviews. London (1994). 
  • Swedish TV: Featured in documentary. Broadcast over Scandinavia (1993). 
  • The Image: VR sex work featured in series on Art and Technology for Superchannel. Transmitted by satellite to Europe (1993). 
  • Home Box Office: Computer (VR) sex project featured in Documentary ‘Real Sex’. Transmitted USA (1993). 
  • Skin Two Rubber Ball Video: Virtual Reality sex installation featured in video. Released London (1993).         
  • Good Sex Guide: Designed computer sex suit with Mark Bennet for Carlton TV series. London (1993).         
  • James Whale Show: Late night chat show background artist; regular content contributor to live broadcast. London (1993-’94).