Hidden Histories
At the USC Fisher Museum of Art, a striking exhibition running during LGBTQ+ History Month and beyond explores the early role sci-fi fandom and occult interests played in creating community. The exhibit comes from the ONE Archives at the USC Libraries, the world’s largest repository of LGBTQ+ materials.
USC Photo/Stephen Gee
Top Headlines
Flint Tanquary grew up attending USC games. Now his film Arrival of the Trojan greets the team as they come onto the field at home games.
Rare photographs and historical materials bring to life Mei Lan-Fang’s legendary 1930 tour of the United States and his brief visit to USC.
Veteran podcaster Daniella Lake’s show, “Life Told by a Stranger,” spanned her high school and college careers.
The hospital received a five-star rating — the highest possible — from Vizient Inc. for excellence in delivering high-quality care.
Countdown to the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill
Leading the Way in Earthquake Response
USC researchers lead critical earthquake studies, using their expertise to assess seismic risks and enhance community preparedness. Their work helps ensure survival during disasters and supports faster recovery afterward. Please join in the next Great California ShakeOut — the nation’s largest disaster preparedness drill — at 10:17 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 17.
Statewide California Earthquake Center
Headquartered at USC, SCEC conducts vital research on seismic hazards to improve earthquake preparedness and community resilience. By uniting experts in seismology, geology and engineering, the center advances earthquake science and promotes public safety through research and education.
USC Earth Sciences
USC’s Department of Earth Sciences excels in geochemistry, geophysics and climate science, offering advanced research facilities and global fieldwork opportunities. With a focus on climate change and sustainability, USC fosters collaboration and prepares students to tackle pressing environmental challenges.
USC Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Threats and Emergencies
CREATE at USC focuses on assessing and mitigating risks from disasters. Through expertise in economics and risk analysis, the center develops strategies to improve public safety and protect critical infrastructure, supporting both government and private sectors in managing threats effectively.
Celebrating the New USC School of Architecture Dean
Brett Steele, a former Bruin who led the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture, receives an official Trojan welcome.
Celebrating 25 Years of the USC Institute for Creative Technologies
Since its founding in 1999, the USC Institute for Creative Technologies has been at the forefront of research and development in AI, computer graphics, geospatial sciences, human performance, learning sciences, modeling, simulation and gaming, mixed reality, medical VR and more. An integral part of USC’s Frontiers of Computing initiative, ICT’s labs and groups are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in computing, embodying the spirit of USC’s commitment to pioneering the future of technology.
STORY AND VIDEO IN USC NEWS USC FRONTIERS OF COMPUTING
Major Science and Technology Groups at ICT
Virtual Humans
The ICT Virtual Human Toolkit is a set of tools and resources designed to help researchers and developers create realistic and engaging digital characters. Since 2009, this toolkit has been the foundation for all research at ICT on conversational AIs — computer programs that can interact with people like a human would. It has been used in various projects, including ELITE SHARP trainers and VITA.
Affective Computing
The Affective Computing Group focuses on understanding how emotions affect both human interactions and interactions between humans and machines. This includes studying how to automatically recognize emotions from different signals, creating computer models of how emotions develop and influence thinking, and applying these methods to improve teamwork between humans and machines, train people in social skills and expand knowledge about human emotions.
Vision and Graphics
Virtual characters are digital humans that can talk, move and interact, and they are important for entertainment, training and education. The main goal of the ICT Vision & Graphics Lab is to make these characters look as realistic as possible, including lighting them in a way that looks natural. To achieve this, the Vision & Graphics Lab uses its award-winning “Light Stage” technology, developed at ICT, to create high-quality visual details. The lab also works with major film companies like Sony Pictures Imageworks and WETA Digital.
Simulation
The Modeling and Simulation Group creates interactive and educational experiences to help train and support military personnel. They bring together researchers, experts, writers and game designers to make these experiences both interesting and useful. They’ve successfully handed over several of their advanced training tools to the U.S. Department of Defense, including a disaster simulation program and various strategic training games for the Naval Postgraduate School.
Mixed Reality
A cognitive architecture is a proposed model of how a mind works, whether in people or machines. It focuses on the basic structures needed to create intelligent behavior and how these structures work with knowledge and skills to handle various complex situations. The aim of this project is to create a smart system that can support virtual humans and possibly intelligent robots, and ideally, help us better understand human thinking.
Integration Environments
Rapid Integration & Development Environment is a key research and development platform that speeds up the development of simulation technologies for the Department of Defense. It quickly creates and tests new ideas for the Army’s Synthetic Training Environment and is now also used for various Navy and Air Force projects. Rapid Integration & Development Environment offers a shared space where researchers and developers can experiment with real-time modeling and simulation to see what’s possible.
Learning Sciences
The ICT Learning Sciences group studies how AI can improve learning and help students achieve their goals. Its mission is to research and apply effective AI methods to make education better and fairer. It also focuses on creating tools that help teachers and content creators use AI to develop and adjust educational materials. It drives innovation through its research projects and two centers: the AI Research Center of Excellence for Education and the USC Center for Generative AI and Society.
Body Computing
The Body Computing & Human Performance Lab is a research center focused on improving health, wellness and human performance using digital tools and data. It aims to create better health resources for both service members and the general public.
The lab brings together experts in human performance, digital technology and healthcare, including sensor and app developers, strategists and designers. They work together to test and develop new technologies that enhance health and performance.
We’re Thinking B1G
Sept. 1 marked the start of USC’s first football season as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It’s a change that reaches far beyond athletics, bringing new opportunities in the research lab, the classroom, the libraries and more. Our new video looks at what USC brings to the conference — and why this is going to be big.
In Focus: USC’s Art Schools
USC Kaufman School of Dance
Established in 2012, the USC Kaufman School of Dance embodies the power of artistic innovation and dedication. Through its cutting-edge research and innovative dance education, the school cultivates a profound passion for dance while preparing the next generation of dancers, choreographers and leaders in the industry. By fostering a spirit of interdisciplinary learning and collaboration with renowned artists, the program propels its students toward success and empowers them to make a lasting impact on the dance world.
USC Roski School of Art and Design
The mission of USC Roski School of Art and Design is to enrich the dynamic research and creative communities of USC, Los Angeles and beyond. By providing an immersive studio curriculum rooted in historical and critical discourse, the USC Roski School aims to foster creativity and cultivate the analytical thinking skills necessary for artists and designers in the 21st century. Programs are designed to challenge students to illuminate, question and reshape how we perceive ourselves and the world around us. Faculty and students collaborate to explore innovative hybrid forms of art, design and critical studies, collaboratively envisioning and shaping the future.
USC School of Architecture
The USC School of Architecture is a dynamic hub dedicated to educating and motivating future architects to confront challenges and create design solutions that envision a brighter built environment. USC architecture faculty and alumni have pushed the limits to introduce groundbreaking practices for over a century. Located in Los Angeles and connected to worldwide concerns, USC architects and academics work with communities to gain understanding and become adept and bold professionals who generate innovative solutions.
USC School of Cinematic Arts
For almost a century, the USC School of Cinematic Arts has been a launching pad for visionary talent in cinema, television and new media. Since its founding in 1929, the school has combined cinematic theory with hands-on practice, preparing graduates for success in the entertainment industry. Our programs attract creative minds worldwide, providing a unique opportunity to explore and expand artistic potential in Los Angeles — the world’s entertainment capital. Taught by industry leaders and academic experts, the USC School of Cinematic Arts curriculum challenges students to refine their vision and contribute to a lasting artistic tradition.
USC School of Dramatic Arts
The USC School of Dramatic Arts believes in empowering artist-scholars to redefine the future of entertainment. Its dedicated faculty from the industry and exceptional production opportunities in Los Angeles equip our students with hands-on experience to forge successful careers. Our unwavering commitment to professional growth and programs such as the Institute for Theatre & Social Change cultivate empathetic and innovative storytellers prepared to confront the world’s obstacles.
USC Thornton School of Music
Established in 1884, the USC Thornton School of Music inspires musical excellence and collaboration, blending the rigorous training of a conservatory with the depth of a top research university. Our world-class faculty and diverse programs, including early music, popular music, orchestral performance, screen scoring, jazz, composition and the music industry, provide students with the tools to pursue their passions. USC Thornton opens doors to exceptional career-building opportunities, nurturing the next generation of musical talent.
Around the University
Celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month
Join your fellow Trojans in celebrating LGBTQ+ Month at USC! Throughout October, we come together to honor and uplift the voices, stories and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community. The month is filled with lively events, engaging workshops, and powerful performances, all aimed at fostering an inclusive and welcoming campus.
Whether you’re attending a performance, exploring an art exhibit, or discovering new ways to support fellow Trojans, there’s something for everyone.
Mindfulness at the Beach
Join Mindful USC for a peaceful and compassionate morning at the beach! During this 90-minute session, we will practice guided sitting meditation, walking meditation, and compassion exercises, all while enjoying the calming presence of the ocean, sand and each other. No prior meditation experience is required—just come as you are.
The group will meet at Lifeguard Stand 26 in Santa Monica. The parking lot is located at 2600 Barnard Way, with short-term parking available for $1/hour. Please choose the 2-hour parking option. Further details will be provided to participants a few days before the session.
The session will be led by Allyson Pimentel, EdD, Director of Mindful USC, and Gauri Kolhatkar, MD, Keck School of Medicine.
Friday, Oct. 11, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Behind the Scenes of K-pop
Renowned for their remarkably active, passionate, and omnipresent fanbase, K-pop artists enjoy unparalleled exposure and engagement on the global stage. From sold-out world tours to staggering album sales, K-pop is making its mark.
Behind the Scenes of K-pop is an exciting, all-day symposium featuring insiders and experts who will foster conversations about the art, culture, business, and future of the international music sensation.
Admission is free. Reservations are required. Campus access is limited to registered guests and USC students, staff, and faculty with current USC ID.
Friday, Oct. 18, 9:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Presented by USC Visions and Voices. Organized by Hye Jin Lee (Communications) in collaboration with the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and the USC Thornton School of Music. Co-sponsored by the Korea Foundation and Asian Pacific American Student Services.
