PhD PhD Research
Marly Muudeni Samuel
Ocean Heritage and Collaborative Research
I have always had a keen interest in technology, cultural heritage, and collaborative work. One key motivation for undertaking this research was my interest in learning more about my personal roots and cultural heritage, particularly the ocean’s connection to it, evident in traditional jewellery such as onyoka created with seashells and oysters. I wanted to understand the ocean’s role in traditional and customary practices and beliefs and investigate the role of technology focusing augmented reality and photogrammetry in safeguarding ocean heritage for continuity of use and intergenerational sharing. As such, I engaged with coastal community members (referred to as co-researchers) from Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, two Namibian coastal towns and this research work is shaped by their profound, intricate, and diverse ocean heritage and relationships.
My research interests include technology, innovation, cultural heritage, Indigenous knowledge, games, and community collaboration approaches. I am particularly committed to learning from community members way of life, social relations, interactions, while also respecting contributions of everyone engaged in research.
PhD simulation and visualization, Glasgow School of Art (2021-2025)
MSc Informatics, Namibia University of Science and Technology (2016-2018)
BA (Hons) Web Informatics, Namibia University of Science and Technology and Aalto University (2015)
BA Software Engineering, Namibia University of Science and Technology (2012-2014)
Participatory Co-Production and Augmented Reality for Ocean Heritage: Preserving Ocean Knowledge, Culture and Relationships in Namibia
For this research work, I employed participatory design (PD) and rapid ethnography methodologies to actively involve co-researchers throughout the research and co-production of Efuta Letu Sida Hirib. This approach promoted an environemnet of mutual trust, empowerment, and respect among co-researchers and myself. PD also facilitated creative and visual practice, including photography, videography, role-playing, poems and letters to the ocean, shared objects and materials signifying ocean heritage and relationships, and the creation of 3D models and co-production of Efuta Letu Sida Hirib.
Augmented Reality Application: Efuta Letu Sida Hurib
Efuta Letu Sida Hurib was co-produced with co-researchers and includes ocean heritage content and representations that they shared, created, and advised on. The co-production process of Efuta Letu Sida Hurib facilitated a platform for co-researchers and me to dialogue, experience and learn about ocean culture and knowledge, enabling us to establish new and improved biophilic relationships with the ocean.
During the co-production process, co-researchers discussed the visual effects of Efuta Letu Sida Hurib, considering factors such as how the application should look, colour outlines, photographs used, language choices, the presentation of ocean heritages, and, importantly, the selection of an appropriate name for the application.
Ocean Heritage and Relationships
Co-researchers brought different objects and materials representing their ocean heritage and relationships. They also shared in-depth descriptions highlighted the importance of the ocean objects/materials within the context of the ocean and their way of life, which is evidence of the essential role the ocean plays in co-researchers lives and their wellbeing. The tangible objects where then converted into 3D models using 3DF Zephyr is a photogrammetry software platform and embedded into Efuta Letu Sida Hurib using Unity.
The shared ocean heritage and relationship objects/materials included:
- Venturesome Radicle: A piece of driftwood picked up at the beach.
- !Nara Seeds: Seeds from the !Nara plant which plays a significant role in the lives of the Topnaar ǂAonin people.
- Seashells: Seashells that the Aawambo people use to create traditional beads, jewellery, and ornaments.
- !Nara Roots: !Nara roots used by the Topnaar ǂAonin for a variety of purposes, including medicinal purposes.
- Seagull feather: A seagull feather symbolising inspiration and free- spiritedness, similar to a seagull.
- Ocean Waves: An ocean waves video illustrating co-researcher’s admiration for the ocean and its ecosystem.
- Seaweed: Seaweed that the co-researcher uses to fertilise her garden to sustain her livelihood. The co-researcher expressed that the ocean is a part of her identity, and her livelihood relies on it.
- Driftwood art: Driftwood piece symbolising how some people depend on the ocean for artistic inspiration.
- Fish tank: A fish tank symbolising the joy it brings the co-researcher when she is caring for her fish.
- Sea sand and seashells: Glass display plate with sea sand, seashells, and sea rocks.
- Oysters and seashells: Oyster shell used to make traditional jewellery.
- Onyoka: Onyoka cultural jewellery (also known as onduwi or oshinyeye in some tribes) and explained its significanca in the Oshiwambo culture.
- Omuthigululwakalo Cultural Heritage: Traditional eepaya (belt) worn with Aawambo traditional dress.
- The Ocean And I: An image of co-researcher at the beach symbolising how the ocean contributes to her emotional wellbeing.
Results of Collaborative Process
Co-researchers openly shared their narratives, opinions, and Indigenous and experiential knowledge relating to the ocean. The ocean heritage and relationships shared were diverse and encompassed historical, cultural, customary, spiritual, medicinal, food sustenance, economic gain, and psychological and physical wellbeing relations.
This research works PD and co-production process successfully engaged co-researchers and demonstrated how leveraging technology, through Efuta Letu Sida Hurib an AR application, encouraged preservation by promoting continuity of use and intergeneration sharing between groups. These methods also promoted mutual collaborations, contributions, learning, growth, and the exchange of insights about personal and collective connections with the ocean and its value for both co-researchers and myself.
Co-researchers provided positive feedback about the research, co-production process and Efuta Letu Sida Hurib, highlighting its role in supporting, preserving, and promoting ocean heritage.
For coastal communities, the ocean represents more than just a body of water. It represents lived realities, identities and relationships encompassing livelihoods, spirituality, culture, history, healing, sustenance, peace, and the future of humanity.
