river listening
River Listening is an interdisciplinary research project exploring the possibilities of freshwater ecoacoustics in the conservation and management of global river systems based at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. The project works at the intersection of art and science by investigating the cultural and biological diversity of freshwater ecosystems, through real-time listening and underwater recording used for biodiversity monitoring and public engagement. We use non-invasive recording techniques with accessible hydrophone kits and participatory workshops to engage local communities in the process and outcomes. The resulting database of hydrophone recordings is used for ongoing scientific research and diverse creative projects disseminated worldwide. The artistic outcomes from River Listening are central to our public engagement efforts, these include mobile phone applications with soundscapes triggered by GPS along rivers and live streaming hydrophone arrays. These artistic projects have assisted in the advanced of scientific recording techniques and ecoacoustic methodologies.
In 2014, Dr Leah Barclay and The Australian Rivers Institute were awarded a prestigious Synapse grant to support the development of River Listening. Synapse is an initiative of the Australia Council for the Arts and the Australia Network for Art and Technology (ANAT) that supports collaborations between artists and scientists in Australia. This project extended Barclay’s long-term engagement in acoustic ecology to explore the creative possibilities of aquatic bioacoustics and ecoacoustics in collaboration with an interdisciplinary research team. The core team currently working on River Listening includes Leah Barclay, Simon Linke and Toby Gifford.
This is website is currently under development and relaunching in 2024 during ISEA2024 with sound maps and audio databases for the latest iteration of River Listening. The development of this website is part of the new project 'River Listening from Source to Sea: Towards a Live Map of Australian Freshwater Ecosystems', assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.
River Listening partners and collaborators include Griffith University, Australian Network for Art and Technology, Australia Council for the Arts, Arts Front, SoundCamp (London) and Locus Sonus (France).
In 2014, Dr Leah Barclay and The Australian Rivers Institute were awarded a prestigious Synapse grant to support the development of River Listening. Synapse is an initiative of the Australia Council for the Arts and the Australia Network for Art and Technology (ANAT) that supports collaborations between artists and scientists in Australia. This project extended Barclay’s long-term engagement in acoustic ecology to explore the creative possibilities of aquatic bioacoustics and ecoacoustics in collaboration with an interdisciplinary research team. The core team currently working on River Listening includes Leah Barclay, Simon Linke and Toby Gifford.
This is website is currently under development and relaunching in 2024 during ISEA2024 with sound maps and audio databases for the latest iteration of River Listening. The development of this website is part of the new project 'River Listening from Source to Sea: Towards a Live Map of Australian Freshwater Ecosystems', assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.
River Listening partners and collaborators include Griffith University, Australian Network for Art and Technology, Australia Council for the Arts, Arts Front, SoundCamp (London) and Locus Sonus (France).
