Whatever the technical advance, it is always human understanding and the ability to interpret that makes science relevant. My present research projects acknowledge this fact by using teams of international artists and scientists from multiple disciplines who are dedicated to exploring distance understanding of complex issues through interactive real time connectivity. We explore the human relationship to enhanced technologies transmission and the resultant effectiveness of that merger by using the complex stories and relationships contained in drama and comparing impact on comprehension using solid research methods and controls. By creating a measure of the effectiveness of these interactions, we can better address the international call for cross cultural interaction. I will be presenting at the 2006 International Theatre Methods in Kiev, Ukraine to discuss these issues. As the Director of our research team, my goal is to present a sample of our past work and data to the conference, learn from international researchers about the state of their use of distance technologies, and to recruit an active partner from the post Soviet block to join our team as a new collaborator for ongoing research. Our current partners include Bradley University (US), Cumbria Institute of the Arts (UK), University of Central Florida (US), and University of Waterloo (CAN).
