Introduction
Animal-Computer Interaction Conference (ACI) focuses on the intersections between animals and technologies. Practitioners aim to design systems that are appropriate for other species by taking into account their unique characteristics – sensory modalities, cognitive capabilities, physicality, emotional intelligence and individual preferences. We consider the ethics around animal welfare and the experiences of companion animals, farm animals, laboratory animals, zoo-housed animals, working animals and wild animals across a wide range of species. Fiona’s research sits within ACI, and she has developed the Zoo Jam initiative to foster networking and team building across the various communities that care for animals.
What is a Zoo Jam? A jam is when musicians improvise together to create new sounds. A game jam provides space and limited time for developers to collaborate and rapidly prototype new games, sharing a common theme and constraints. A zoo jam is an opportunity to collaborate with colleagues on the design of novel technology-supported enrichment and welfare for non-human animals and consider corresponding activities that enhance the experience of their visitors, carers and co-dwellers.
More about the project
Sometimes it can be difficult to build bridges between different fields if people have different expertise, skills, perspectives and goals. But a multidisciplinary approach is excellent for addressing the challenges we face as a society and has great value in the realms of animal welfare, enrichment and cognition. The zoo jams are events aimed at bringing together people from a variety of disciplines, enabling teamwork and collaboration around shared goals – designing solutions to briefs provided by animal experts.
As an example, many of the tools deployed in farming and environmental management have been enhanced using computing and AI, most recently when techniques such as machine learning have been deployed to identify patterns of behaviour. The outputs can be used to monitor health and enhance welfare. In addition, the enrichment of animals housed in zoos is an important aspect of their stewardship, aiming to offer experiences that promote their normal behaviours in the wild. Environmental enrichment can be sensory, cognitive, exercise or food-related, and a crucial aspect is the provision of control and choice – giving the animal back some autonomy in a restricted setting. Technology can support the delivery of innovative concepts in this space.
-
To explore welfare and enrichment opportunities for different species through group discussions and collaborative design sessions.
-
To address a series of animal welfare briefs provided by experts, by devising technology-enhanced solutions that incorporate animal-centred design principles.
-
To network and share skills amongst participants.
-
To disseminate outputs within the ACI community and beyond.
-
To form small teams of researcher-developers who are motivated to take concepts forward into development, prototyping and testing.
We've been facilitating zoo jam workshops with colleagues at the annual Animal-Computer Interaction Conference since 2016, choosing a different theme each year. The ACI conference is an ideal venue to hold a zoo jam, attracting a diverse mix of participants from global academic and animal welfare communities. The outputs are shared with everyone. Please visit the Zoo Jam website to find detailed information.
Most recently, in 2023, we organised a Moon Jam at North Carolina State University aimed at enhancing the welfare of nocturnal species. We considered design challenges from London Zoo, North Carolina Zoo, Greensboro Science Centre in Raleigh, and also from two of our workshop organising committee, Robert Kelly (Animal Management course coordinator at Isle of Wight College) and Paige Bwye (researching koalas at University of Central Queensland).
-
One theme - multiple challenges.
-
Species-specific briefs provided by animal experts.
-
Expert feedback during the event.
-
Time-constrained activities with clear goals.
-
Multi-disciplinary collaborative design – networking, sharing skills and ideas.
-
Co-crafting and presentation of prototypes.
-
Open discussion and dissemination of outputs and issues raised.
-
London Zoo, UK: Joe Yong – Events Host, Laura Carrigan – Deputy Team Leader Small Mammals.
-
Whipsnade Zoo, UK: Matt O’Leary – Senior Keeper.
-
Northumberland Zoo, UK: Maxine Bradley – Zoo Curator.
-
Chester Zoo, UK: Leah Williams – Lead Conservation Scientist.
-
Indianapolis Zoo, USA: Lewis Single – Deserts Area Manager, Chris Martin – Primatologist.
-
North Carolina Zoo, USA: Catherine Mingee – Curator of Behavioural Management, Emily Lynch – Associate Curator of Research.
-
Greensborough Science Centre, USA: Lindsey Zarecky – VP Conservation and Research, Jessica Hoffman – VP Animal Care and Welfare.
-
BIAZA Elephant Welfare Group, UK: Lisa Yon – Vice-Chair.
-
RSPCA Assured, UK: Sconaid Wastie- Scientific Officer (pigs), Sian Philips – Poultry Welfare Specialist, Sophie Collins – Welfare improvement Manager, Tayla Hammond – Welfare Outcome Analyst.
-
Shape of Enrichment: Mark Kingston-Jones – Instructor and Valerie Hare – Founder.
-
Team Building with Bite: Mark Kingston-Jones – Founder.
-
Jon Coe Design, Australia: Jon Coe – Principal.
-
Makeway Agri-Technology Supply, Ireland: Billy Wallace – Operations Director.
-
Eduweb, Minnesota, USA: David Schaller – Principal.
Publications
-
Moon Jam 2023: Enhancing welfare for nocturnal species. French F., Leek, T., Coe, J., Kelly, R., Bwye, P. Workshop at ACI 2023, Dec 2023, North Carolina, USA.
-
Sensory Jam 2022: Exploring Other Sensibilities - beyond human senses and aesthetics. French, F., Mancini, C., Martin, C.F. Workshop at ACI 2022, Dec 2022, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.
-
ReptileJam 2021: Designing Enrichment for Reptiles in Captivity. French, F., Williams, L., Coe, J., Fernandez, E., Martin, C., Single, L. Virtual workshop at ACI 2021, Nov 2021, Bloomington, Indiana, USA.
-
ZooJamming 2019: Designing Beyond Human Experience. French F., Baskin S., Gupfinger R., Webber S., Zamansky A. Paper at ICGJ 2019 (International Conference on Game Jams, Hackathons and Game Creation Events) Mar 2019, San Francisco, USA.
-
SoundJam 2018: Acoustic Design For Auditory Enrichment. French F., Gupfinger R., Kendrick P. Workshop at ACI 2018, Dec 2018, Atlanta, USA.
-
FarmJam 2017: Designing enrichment for farm animals. French F., Baskin S., Cheok A.D., Nannoni E., Wallace B., Zamansky A. Workshop at ACI 2017, Nov 2017, Milton Keynes, UK.
-
ZooJam: Don’t Cut to the Chase: Hunting Experiences for Zoo Animals and Visitors. French F., Webber S., Campbell M., Kingston-Jones M., Schaller D. Workshop at ACI 2016, Nov 2016, Milton Keynes, UK.
Events
-
2023 December – Moon Jam workshop in-person, hosted by NCSU, North Carolina, USA.
-
2023 November – Mini-Moon-Jam at London Met, with Digital Media MA students.
-
2022 December – Sensory Jam workshop in-person, hosted by Northumbria University, UK.
-
2021 November – Reptile Jam workshop online, hosted by Indiana University Bloomsbury, USA.
-
2021 November – Mini-Elephant-Jam at London Met, with Games Programming BSc and Games Animation, Modelling and Effects BSc students.
-
2018 December – Sound Jam workshop in-person, hosted at GATECH, Atlanta, USA.
-
2017 November – Farm Jam workshop in-person, hosted by Open University, Milton Keynes, UK.
-
2016 November – Zoo Jam (hunting) workshop, in-person hosted by Open University, Milton Keynes, UK.
