Presentation

Introduction

The Sciences et Cultures du Visuel Research Federation (FR CNRS 2052 SCV), established in 2021, traces its origins to collaborations that began in 2010 between the following Joint Research Units (UMRs) of the University of Lille and the CNRS:

• CRIStAL (Center for Research in Computer Science, Signal Processing, and Automation of Lille),
• HARTIS (History, Art History, Archaeology, Texts, Images, and Societies),
• SCALab (Cognitive and Affective Sciences Laboratory).

Initially launched within the CNRS Thematic Multidisciplinary Network (RTP) "Visual Studies: New Paradigms of the Visual," these collaborations were subsequently strengthened through the CPER MAUVE project (Visual Mediations: Digital Culture and Creation, 2015–2020) and the CPER ENHANCE project (Embedding a Human Dimension in Cultural Heritage, 2021–2027). These projects supported scientific initiatives in the fields of visual sciences and cultural mediation devices.

Within this decade-long structuring of interdisciplinary research, a pivotal milestone was the selection in 2011 of the Equipex project "Innovation-Research in Digital and Interactive Visual Environments (IrDIVE)" under the French Investments for the Future Program. This project enabled the development of a cutting-edge technological platform for designing visualization systems, 3D content modeling, and studying human behavior in virtual reality. The high technological level of this platform subsequently allowed the Sciences et Cultures du Visuel Research Federation (FR CNRS 2052 SCV) to become a partner in the Equipex+ Continuum project (Collaborative Continuity from Digital to Human, 2021–2027), involving 30 virtual reality platforms. In 2022, this project became a National Research Infrastructure, further expanding and enriching the technological capabilities of the Research Federation, particularly in visualization, immersion, interaction, and collaboration, while integrating human-centered aspects.

Thanks to these scientific and technological advancements, the Sciences et Cultures du Visuel Research Federation was invited to participate in the PEPR eNSEMBLE and PEPR ICCARE projects (2023–2027), funded under the France 2030 national program. Located at the heart of the Plaine Images regional excellence site, the Federation collaborates with numerous companies in the Creative and Cultural Industries sector. In this capacity, it contributes to the structuring of the Territorial Hub for Cultural and Creative Industries, led by Plaine Images and also funded under the France 2030 national program.

The research federation is organized around three hubs at the Euracreative site:

• a research hub focused on the Creative Industries and Communication (CIC) sector;
• a hub for AI and modeling;
• and a hub for 3D expertise and digitization.