Short Bio
Daniel Farinha is a Senior Lecturer with a cross-disciplinary background in artificial intelligence, information systems, and digital media. He holds a PhD in Information Systems and brings over 20 years of industry experience in software architecture, network systems, and AI applications, alongside 7+ years of university-level teaching.
His research focuses on ethical and autonomous AI systems, decentralized technologies, blockchain governance, and the preservation of digital heritage. He explores the intersection of machine ethics, explainable AI, DAOs, and sustainable digital economies, with additional interests in creative computing, HCI, and generative media.
He teaches subjects ranging from programming and creative coding to statistics and mathematics, and actively engages in curriculum development across design, architecture, and communication and media programmes, both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Research Interests:
Agentic AI, Machine Ethics, Explainable AI, AI Governance, Decentralised Systems, Blockchain, Smart Contracts, Digital Heritage, DAOs, Crypto-Art, Information Systems, Generative Media, HCI, Tokenomics
Publications
Estadieu, G. V., Ng, S. O. K. M., Martins De Abreu, F., & Farinha, D. (2023, November). Beyond Physical Boundaries-Organising a Virtual Exhibiton with NFTs for an International Conference. In Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Digital and Interactive Arts (pp. 1-5).
Farinha, D. F. (2022). A Critical Look at Blockchain-Interactive Generative Art. International Journal of Creative Interfaces and Computer Graphics, 13(1), 1–17.
Ng, K. M., Estadieu, G., & Farinha, D. (2022). (Un)Directed Reading, an interactive kiosk to encourage writing and reading. The Creative Process: Reflections on Contemporary Creativity, 83–85.
Modules
Year 1 Master
Students will explore the role of technology and mass media in shaping our experiences of the world. They will learn how to use multimedia for project development and marketing purposes.
Year 1 Bachelor
This is the first of two modules that review and introduce important topics and theories in mathematics that are relevant to everyday science and engineering. In this module selected issues in Arithmatic and Number Theory; Algebra and Systems of equations; Trigonometry and Coordinate Systems; Functions and Series; Calculus and Partial Differential Equations are considered. In all cases, “real world” applications of mathematics are emphasized.
This course will cover a varied range of mathematical principles and discuss how techniques of effective thinking and creativity can be taught and learned through mathematics. Such mathematical techniques allow students to create new insights, new ideas, and new solutions, as well as develop critical thinking over a wide range of problems and real-life situations that they may face both on their professional and personal lives.
"Architecture and Design are subjects that have a strong mathematical basis, namely Geometry, Trigonometry, Topology, and the study of patterns (including their modeling and generation), among other topics. In this course, students will establish the link between mathematics and design through the understanding of theoretical mathematical principles and practical exercises and challenges, some of them using computer software and algorithms as interactive examples of generative design.
In fact, with the advent of computers and new 2D and 3D-modeling software, formal manipulation and the creation of novel forms has become increasingly important in Design and Architecture. While these tools have made complex geometry much more accessible, an understanding of the basic principles behind these geometries is often missing. A basic knowledge of these principles will not only make these tools more efficient, but it will allow artists, communicators, designers to make much more intelligent formal explorations.
Furthermore, knowledge of mathematical concepts– such as the Divine Proportion, The Golden Section, Fibonacci Numbers, Graph Theory, Fractal Theory, Probabilities, Randomness, Recursion, Hyper-dimensionality, and Geometry in general - will allow contemporary designers and communicators to understand their designs on a deeper level. "
Year 2 Bachelor
"This module lets students explore approaches and techniques in automobile and transportation system design, identifying strengths and weaknesses from different perspectives, including aesthetic, stylistic, cultural, technologic, ergonomic and usage patterns. This will have to be done in relation to the main phases of the ""creative automotive design process"".
Starting from the research & analysis phase in line with a given project brief in the field of automotive/vehicle (assignment), the students will have to generate new ideas and identify new automotive related concept opportunities mainly based on market research, project brief objectives and specifications (supplied by project sponsor).
Initially presented via ""concept boards"" including various medium such as diagram, text, hand sketch/renderings, mock-up, or any other necessary materials, the most promising design concept will be selected.
This last one will have to be further developed from a technological, functional and aesthetical angle using 3D CAD software (renderings, technical drawings, etc) and other explanatory materials such as text description, pictures and prototyping. "
This module introduces the basic topics of probability, descriptive and inference statistics. It covers techniques for counting and probability theory but not forgetting inferential statistics (parametric and non-parametric models).
Programming is the action or process of writing computer programs. In this course, we introduce the fundamental aspects of this practice, oriented towards multimedia applications. Scratch software (MIT) will be used to present the underlying grammar for “talking to a computer”. A practice-based approach will be followed.
Last Updated: September 3, 2021 at 11:49 am
