Convocation Spotlight: Julian Iliev

About Julian

My background is in film and narrative storytelling. Film analysis and studies play a significant part in my personal and professional life and as such my research interests are often grounded in humanities. I had no experience in coding prior to enrolling in the program. After taking Dr. Philippe Pasquier’s class, Computation Art and Design, I was able to create a short animation film entirely coded in Processing. The film was accepted in several film festivals and had screenings in the USA and Europe.

About Julian's research

My Master of Arts research was exploring audio surveillance and its social implications. I examined audio beacon technologies with the aim of elucidating their implications for the individual in contemporary society. Audio beacons are hidden inside digital devices. They emit and receive high frequency audio signals which are inaudible to the human ear, thereby generating and transmitting data without our knowledge.

The motivation for this research is to raise awareness of the prevalence of audio beacon technologies and to explore their implications for contemporary society. My research takes an interdisciplinary approach involving – 1) a survey of audio beacon technology, 2) a contextualization in terms of contemporary theories of surveillance and control and 3) an interpretation in terms of 20^th century dystopian literature.

My research introduces the notion of a 'digital paradox' in which the dystopian worlds of George Orwell and Aldous Huxley are brought together in order to characterize surveillance and control in contemporary society.

Why did you choose SIAT for you studies?

The interdisciplinary approach offered at SIAT inspired my initial interest in the program. I could marry my background in film and my interest in technologies and their implications. Yet equally important, was talking to my supervisor Professor Niranjan Rajah and forming a bond with him.

How did your studies in SIAT fit into your future goals and what is next for you?

My Doctoral research will build directly on my Master research, particularly my study of the science fiction vision of Aldous Huxley. I started my PhD studies this semester under Professor Rajah’s guidance. I am interested in dystopian science-fiction of Aldous Huxley and the related philosophical, scientific (physics) and social theories (surveillance, power). I want to contribute to the contemporary discourse on technology, in the space between the objective science and visionary writing.

What was the highlight of your graduate career?

The highlight of my graduate career was the completion of my Master’s degree and my selection to receive the Graduate Dean’s Entrance Scholarship Award (GDES) for my PhD studies in SIAT.

Any advice for prospective students considering pursuing a graduate degree in SIAT?

It is difficult, especially for international students, to move to a new culture and start a new life. Students are not able to work full time either because of the academic work load or visa restrictions. So attending grad school is a financial burden for many students. However, the faculty, office staff and librarians at SIAT are extremely helpful and they go above and beyond to help and accommodate students. Furthermore, there are many opportunities for grants and financial support and some of them are awarded without an application, but rather on GPA. So, students should not despair but enjoy every day of studying, schmoozing and working among the other talented and congenial students.