About

SerenA is a new multidisciplinary project that brings together a world leading team of researchers to understand the role of serendipity and design technologies, in order to support innovation in research.

The team aims to design, deploy and test a Serendipity Arena, called SerenA that will harness new technologies and the potential of the vast store of data now available on the worldwide web, to promote serendipity and support ideas, inspirations and new connections in the virtual and physical world.

What is Serendipity?

Serendipity, otherwise known as a “happy accident”, is widely acknowledged as pivotal in triggering novel connections and innovation. Many scientists, artists, writers, musicians and thinkers have attributed the role of serendipity as an essential factor in their work. However, it is debated whether the digital environment supports or stifles serendipity.

The Context:

We know that the WorldWide Web and the increasing ubiquity of computing has allowed us to make many positive changes in our society and environment, for example through social networking and e-publishing, but it also presents problems, by its very nature. There is now so much information being spread so quickly that it is becoming impossible for individuals to be aware of enough of it, or to take full advantage of it. Furthermore, in order to find the information we use search tools that present us with information directly related to the keywords we search for.

Aims and Benefits:

SerenA aims to draw human and machine closer together than ever before, enhancing its users’ knowledge and their ability to interact with people likely to be important to them. The impact of the research will not only be of benefit across disciplines: it will be relevant to everyone interested in learning and discovery, of whatever kind.