What is the Imaging Research Center?
One of a few dozen media and visualization research centers in the US, the IRC is embedded in a public university and we take that very seriously. We aim to assert public interest in the research and development of the media and visualization systems that now permeate every aspect of our lives. Private and public sector interests are essential and overlap significantly, but they are not the same. What are our media and data systems doing for us, with us, and even to us? How are they helping us address our most serious challenges? What can we do to make them better? We create new configurations of visual and audio technologies, new media forms, and new approaches to creating content.
Mission
Research
To create and test new media and visualization prototypes with the capacity to improve public discourse, help meet public challenges, and increase the cultural impact of valuable knowledge.
Education
To engage our students in transformative, collaborative, active learning experiences that complement classroom learning.
Vision
We envision a world in which, through the skilled integration of multidisciplinary knowledge and expertise, our media systems are optimized to serve public interests in our community, such as public education, health, economic development, and democracy.