MeCCSA 2009 - Venue and Logistics

The University of Bradford and the National Media Museum are located immediately adjacent to the centre of Bradford and within walking distance of good city centre hotels. There are two train stations in the city centre. Train connections from Leeds take about 20 minutes and run every 30 minutes. Leeds/Bradford airport is a 20 minute taxi ride from the city centre. The city has good motorway connections via M1/M62/M606. The M606 spur brings you to within 10 minutes of the centre of Bradford.

City Maps

See: http://www.brad.ac.uk/university/gen/road-map.htm for a colour map (2.13MB) of the city centre including the University and The National Media Museum. Printable maps can be downloaded from: http://www.inf.brad.ac.uk/home/findus.php

National Media Museum

The National Media Museum is close to the city centre (5 mins walk) and is a collaborator in the Electronic Imaging and Media Communications degree courses run by the School of Informatics in the University of Bradford.

It is a national facility with a prime city centre position. It has a 3D Imax theatre and a Pictureville Cinema. Galleries are devoted to the history, science and art of photography, film and television, and feature special exhibitions, including artists such as Bradford-born David Hockney. The Museum has become a major tourist attraction with nearly 1 million visitors per year. A recent investment of £16 million has moved the Museum into the digital age with exciting galleries devoted to digital and media technology. The Museum is open every day in the week apart from Monday. Entrance is free but payment has to be made for entrance to the cinema and Imax.

The Norcroft Centre

The Norcroft Centre exists to host prestigious, high-impact events such as research showcases and conferences, public lectures, and international, national, regional and City meetings. It may be booked for internally-led non-standard events which help to promote the University and its mission.

The sedum grass roof demonstrates the environmental priorities of the Centre, creating a habitat for plants, insects and birds whilst helping to reduce the building’s energy loss. The building’s internal environment is controlled by a natural ventilation system using four roof wind-cowls and automatic window louvres, heat exchanges and an enhanced, thermally-insulated shell – all promoting greater efficiency and helping you to host an environmentally-friendly event.

The auditorium is situated on the lowest level and is accessible by stairs leading from the entrance foyer, or by the lift. The auditorium seats up to 200 theatre-style – again, this is a flexible flat-floored area and so various layouts are possible, such as removing some seating to make space for exhibits or catering. An AV console/lectern with high-quality audio-visual equipment including dual-screen projection is situated at the front of the auditorium.

Bradford and Surrounding Areas:

With new café/bar and club developments close to the University, new sculptures throughout the city centre and conversions taking place in the Little Germany area of the city, Bradford is shaking off its image of a northern industrial town. Big investors are moving in to regenerate the City centre and Bradford is being transformed. Nearby Salts Mill in Saltaire has an exhibition of David Hockney's work and also a notable restaurant.

The surrounding countryside is almost within walking distance of the city and within half an hour you can be in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, with walking, climbing and much more. Favourite places to visit are Ilkley, Haworth (Bronte country), Harrogate, and Knaresbrough. A 20 min train journey takes you Leeds - famous for shopping, restaurants and clubs - and a further 40 min to York with its famous Minster and walled Roman city.

Further tourist and cultural information is at - http://www.bradford.gov.uk/