UWTSD to Host International Residuum 2026 Conference Exploring the Future of Art, Design and Technology
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) will host the annual Residuum International Conference 2026 from 5–8 May, bringing together a global community of scholars, artists, and designers to explore the future of art, design, education, and technology.
The four‑day bilingual conference, delivered in English and Mandarin, offers a dynamic and accessible programme that combines online participation with live, immersive experiences streamed from the University’s state‑of‑the‑art immersive room at the Swansea Waterfront Campus. Designed to engage both in‑person and remote audiences, Residuum 2026 creates an interactive platform for international dialogue, collaboration, and innovation.
Residuum 2026 will feature keynote and invited talks from leading international thinkers, including:
- Charlotte von Essen (Stockholm School of Economics), presenting Education That Frees: A Human‑Centred Framework for Education in an Age of AI, exploring how education systems can retain human values and creativity in increasingly AI‑driven contexts.
- Dr Michael Schofield (University of Leeds), delivering a talk focused on the relationship between AI, art and filmmaking, examining emerging creative practices and the implications of machine intelligence for visual storytelling.
Conference Programme Overview
Day 1 – Monday 5 May
The conference opens with an online live‑streamed keynote programme, featuring invited speakers and live discussions. Attendance is online only, allowing international participants to join from across the globe.
Day 2 – Tuesday 6 May
A curated programme of pre‑recorded conference presentations will be released online, offering participants flexible access to research papers, creative projects, and thematic sessions. Attendance is online only.
Day 3 – Wednesday 7 May
Live‑streamed Professional Doctorate conference talks and an MA Creative Practice Showcase will take place, streamed from UWTSD’s immersive room. Audiences can attend in person at the Fforwm Building, Swansea Waterfront Campus, or watch online.
Day 4 – Thursday 8 May
The final day continues with live‑streamed Professional Doctorate presentations and MA Creative Practice Showcase, again available to in‑person and online audiences, providing a platform for innovative research and practice‑based work.
Themes and Focus
Residuum 2026 highlights the breadth and ambition of contemporary creative research through themes including:
- Nostalgia: Lost Past or Lost Future
- Immersive Imaginations
- AI: Revolution and Future Perspectives
- Understanding Heritage as a Symbol of the Future
- Communication in a Contemporary World
- Innovative Methodologies
- Defining Your Practice as Leading Change
- The Future of Chinese Creative Industries
Organised by UWTSD’s Professional Doctorate in Art & Design and MA Art & Design programmes, the conference aims to foster critical dialogue, challenge conventional paradigms and explore cutting‑edge developments across creative disciplines.
Kylie Boon, Lecturer in Art and Design at UWTSD, said: “Residuum 2026 is an exciting opportunity to bring together a truly international community of creatives and researchers to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of art and design. By combining immersive technologies with diverse perspectives, the conference creates a space for meaningful exchange, innovation, and new ways of thinking about practice, education, and global collaboration.”
Further Information
Rebecca Davies
Executive Press and Media Relations Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07384 467071