The vision of the MyWorld Observatory is that of a dynamic and real time enabler of targeted strategic development.
The MyWorld Observatory takes data from MyWorld activity and places within the context of global industry insight to generate a model which drives consistent positive iteration of future interventions (local, national and international).
The Observatory:
- Gathers evidence both from the direct impact of MyWorld and the secondary outcomes within the wider West of England cluster.
- Situates that within a perspective of global trends and horizon scanning, providing the context of future industry movements, challenges and opportunities.
- Then evaluates and refines next interventions and strategic responses – policy, business modelling and strategic programme development – to position MyWorld as a proactive hub of evidence driven creative technology innovation.
Other facets of work in this area are focused on the impact of MyWorld from a societal, economic, environmental and ethical perspective. This is achieved through the research and creation of robust, low-carbon, high-inclusion, high-democracy alternatives to existing practices within the creative industries.
A key focus is also ensuring that the impact in the region feels tangible to those who live, work and play here and invites communities to have the opportunities to feed into, respond to and shape MyWorld’s work so that it reflects them and their lives. As well as this, the Observatory connects MyWorld activities to the commercial marketplace, to effectively exploit new products and engage new partners.
Observatory Lead: Mark Leaver
Mark is an independent consultant concentrating on the development of projects combining creative media and digital technologies, with a specific focus on making strategic connections to international markets.
With 20 years experience across the creative industries, and a background which spans a range of organisational structures (including regional development agency, dot com start up, national broadcaster, international corporation and independent consultant) Mark has a track record of raising finance and developing and delivering innovative ideas from both the public and private sector.
People involved

Adrienne Noonan
Director of Partnerships, School of Arts – UWE Bristol

Alice Quigley
PhD, School of Management - University of Bristol

Amy Spencer
PDRA - Bath Spa University

Ana Levordashka
PDRA - University of Bath

Angeliki Katsenou
Senior Lecturer in Networked Media - University of Bristol

Dimitra Simeonidou
Professor and Director of Smart Internet Lab - University of Bristol

Charlotte Butler
PhD - University of Bath

Charlotte Geeves
Executive Director - Bristol Old Vic

Christabelle Whyte
Programme Manager - Digital Catapult

Christina Constantinou
Innovation Delivery Manager - Digital Catapult

Claudia Firth
Senior Research Associate, School of Management - University of Bristol

Crispian Morris
PhD - University of Bristol

Dan Efergan
Creative Director, Innovation - Aardman Animations

Danaë Stanton Fraser
Professor of Human Computer Interaction - University of Bath

Danielle Rose
Network Producer - Watershed

Drew MacQuarrie
Lecturer, Department of Computer Sciences - University of Bristol

Chen Feng
PhD - University of Bristol

Emma Boulton
Producer - Watershed

Aaron Zhang
Lecturer in Visual Communications - University of Bristol

Felix Carter
PDRA - University of Bristol

Furaha Asani
Research Lead - Watershed

Adrian Azzarelli
Doctoral Researcher - University of Bristol

Giles Chiplin
Head of Digital Publishing - Bristol Old Vic

Ho Man Kwan
PhD student - University of Bristol

Iain Gilchrist
Professor of Neuropsychology - University of Bristol

Adam Hartshorne
PDRA - University of Bath

Ildi Fogel
Project Coordinator, Smart Internet Lab - University of Bristol

Isabel Potter
PhD - Bath Spa University

Isabel Tuxworth-Twist
Innovation Delivery Manager - Digital Catapult

James Pollock
Immersive Media Designer - Lux Aeterna

Jo Gildersleve
Project Manager - University of Bristol

Jo Lansdowne
Executive Producer, Pervasive Media Studio - Watershed

Siyuan Gou
PhD - University of Bath

Ge Gao
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Visual Communications - University of Bristol

Kate Pullinger
Professor of Creative Writing and Digital Media - Bath Spa University

Kirsten Cater
Professor, Department of Computer Science - University of Bristol

Laura Ewell
Innovation Delivery Manager - Digital Catapult

Liz Roberts
Senior Research Fellow in Creative Economies - UWE

Lorna Probert
Head of Interactive Production - Aardman Animations

Mandy Rose
Professor, Documentary and Digital Cultures - UWE

Marina De Vos
Director of Training at ART-AI - University of Bath

Mark Leaver
MyWorld Head of Business Partnerships and Inward Investment - Leaver Consulting

Martin O’Leary
Creative Technologist - Watershed

Martin Parker
Professor of Organisational Studies - University of Bristol

David Bull
MyWorld Programme Director. Professor of Signal Processing - University of Bristol

Melissa Blackburn
Knowledge Exchange Manager - UWE

Jakub Nawala
PDRA - University of Bristol

Mike Richardson
PDRA - University of Bath

Nancy Medina
Artistic Director - Bristol Old Vic

Naomi Smyth
Creative Technologist - Bath Spa University

Anderson Bravalheri
Senior Research Associate Smart Internet Lab - University of Bristol

Neill Campbell
Professor, Department of Computer Science - University of Bath

Nicola Price
Strategic Partnerships & Industry Engagement Manager - Digital Catapult

Nitika Raja
Project Manager - Digital Catapult

Obed Samano Abonce
PDRA - University of Bristol

Oma Keeling
Container Magazine Editor - UWE

Pui Anantrasirichai
Senior Lecturer, Department of Computer Science - University of Bristol

Rachel Pownall
Innovation Manager for MyWorld - Bath Spa University

Rob Hifle
CEO & Creative Director - Lux Aeterna

Ruth Farrar
Reader in Creative Media & Enterprise - Bath Spa University

Sarah Addezio
Senior Innovation Partner - Digital Catapult

Simon Moreton
Associate Professor of Creative Economies - UWE

Murray Evans
Systems Engineer - University of Bath

Justin Worsey
PDRA - University of Bristol

Tim Powell
Creative R&D Producer - MyWorld

Tom Livingstone
Research Fellow - UWE

Vanessa Bellaar Spruijt
Producer - Watershed

Vicki Roots
Innovation Coordinator - Digital Catapult

Wenbin Li
Assistant Professor - University of Bath

Will Hunter
PhD, School of Management - University of Bristol

Xinyi Wang
PhD student Visual Information Laboratory - University of Bristol

Yuxuan Jiang
PhD student - University of Bristol

Zach Parsons
Digital Producing Administrator- Bristol Old Vic

Zhaozhou Wu
PhD - University of Bristol

Zihao Qi
PhD student, Bristol Vision Institute - University of Bristol