Online Creative Events Management students get hands-on experience in festival accessibility

Creative Events Management MA (Online) students have gained invaluable experience in festivals and live event accessibility through their involvement in a Falmouth University research project.  

The students were working as Student Research Assistants on the Live Audience Accessibility & Augmentation 2 Beat Blocks (LAAA2BB) project, a research project led by Falmouth’s Head of Business & Experience Design Adrian Bossey, which is focusing on the deployment of haptic technology – the ability to turn sound into felt vibrations – to facilitate accessibility and inclusive participation of people who are d/Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent at music festivals. 

Building on the previous success of the initial LAAA project which installed a haptic dance floor at Falmouth University in May 2023, the LAAA2BB team are working with Beat Blocks, a powerful multi-sensory interactive flooring system, to evaluate the authenticity and perceptions of people experiencing haptic flooring at a range of music festivals across the UK.  

Three LAAA2BB field tests have taken place so far this year: at Cheltenham Jazz Festival in May, Meltdown Festival at the Southbank Centre in June and Tropical Pressure in July, all of which were supported by Dr Mandy Curtis and Dr Adam Jones from the University of Brighton. 

When recruiting Student Research Assistants, the team were looking for people with a particular interest in music festival and events accessibility for those who are d/Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent. The LAAA2BB Student Research Assistant role was to support the project as required and included tasks like collecting survey responses and event stewarding.  

I am excited about the prospect of future collaborations on the project, which was such an enriching experience that I am genuinely grateful for.

Mihaela Georgescu was part of the team at Meltdown Festival, and it was an experience that couldn't have arrived at a better time for them. They told us: “As a mature student who recently uncovered a hidden neurodivergent identity, this project offered a valuable chance to expand my understanding and apply what I've been learning during my MA in Creative Events Management, especially concerning disability and equality within the UK live event industry.  

“My natural curiosity about how live events can transcend social barriers via emergent technologies found a new dimension within this project. Learning about the projects' previous findings on haptic flooring and immersing myself in the cultural perspectives of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities have been deeply relevant on both personal and professional levels. On top of that, collecting data first-hand at the Meltdown Festival allowed me to understand field research practices closely and appreciate the expectations of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities regarding event experiences.  

“Being part of this research certainly felt rewarding, and it also made me proud to contribute to a project that ticked many of my emotional and career aspirations.” 

Kirk Davis was also part of the team at Meltdown Festival and felt the experience exemplified true teamwork and project excellence. They told us: “The positive energy from the LAAA2BB project has left me feeling inspired and optimistic about the potential for growth and future opportunities. The insights I gained were invaluable, emphasizing the importance of continued participation in such projects. I am excited about the prospect of future collaborations on the project, which was such an enriching experience that I am genuinely grateful for.” 

Adrian Bossey added: “It has been fantastic to see student researchers working on the LAAA2BB project build both their research skills and their professional networks.” 

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