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Nicola is a research and data scientist, currently the Head of Data Science at Cognitive 3D. Nicola found a passion for eye-tracking technology, vision, and perception while volunteering in psychology research lab. This newfound interest led to a BSc in Cognitive Systems, an MA in psychology, and a PhD in Experimental psychology. Nicola designs, conducts experiments, and analyzes how people experiences, navigate, and enjoy Vr environments. Nicola applies their expertise in eye tracking to study eye movements in virtual reality (VR). This work paved the way for a career as a data scientist and eventually as the head of data science at Cognitive3D. Organizer: Trisha Magbanua & Jasbir Chohan Dhanjal Editor: Jasbir Chohan Dhanjal Recorded by: Trisha Magbanua

Reflecting on his five years in XR production, Sean Ronan offers insight into his biggest creative blunders, the best (or at least better) practices he has learned along the way, and the comfort of coming to accept that failure isn’t just part of the process, it is the process. Sean Ronan is a co-founder of Hammer & Tong, where he produces and designs creative, narrative content. His work is increasingly transmedia in nature, shifting between digital and XR, and often focuses on culturally-significant, and often culturally-sensitive content, especially stories that address the historical experiences of marginalized communities. He is currently leading development on Valley, a narrative AR game companion to Shadow of the Rougarou (2022) a forthcoming limited series on APTN and components of his ChinatownXR are on exhibit at the Museum of Vancouver.

The talk presents Nimkulrat’s exploration of transforming the analogue form into digital one using a range of techniques, including 3D scanning, CAD, Virtual Reality (VR), 3D printing, and slip casting. These activities act as both a survey of digital fabrication capabilities and a way of exploring new thinking mechanisms offered by this emerging form of practice. The exploration seeks to broaden our understanding of the maker's role within the capabilities and limitations of digital interface and fabrication. Dr. Nithikul Nimkulrat intertwines research with textile practice, focusing on experiential knowledge in craft processes. Before joining OCAD University (Canada) as Associate Professor in Material Art & Design and currently Acting Chair of the program, Nithikul worked at the Estonian Academy of Arts (Estonia, 2013–2018), Loughborough University (UK, 2011–2013) and Aalto University (Finland, 2004–2010), where she earned a doctorate (2009). She is the main editor of Crafting Textiles in the Digital Age (Bloomsbury, 2016) and CoDesign’s journal special issue on experiential knowledge and collaboration (2020).

This presentation proposes an experimental approach to the idea of mixed reality development through a combination of project descriptions, teaching stories and research initiatives. Pennefather has mixed realities since his birth in this virtual reality experiment gone wrong. He’s designed sound for live and virtual productions, conducts research at the intersections of the real and virtual, and teaches hybrid learning environments. He’s an Assistant Professor co-appointed with UBC Theatre and Film teaching sound design, mentoring and conducting research, and at the Master of Digital Media Program where he’s supervised and mentored over 50 client-based digital media projects with Microsoft, EA, Ubisoft, game, dance and theatre companies, researchers and XR development including AR, MR and VR. He’s a faculty in residence at the Emerging Media Lab at UBC where he’s principal investigator exploring real-time technologies that merge humans in different locations onto the same virtual background. Presented by Dr. Patrick Parra Pennefather Assistant Professor University of British Columbia/Master of Digital Media Program Vancouver, Canada

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies have emerged as versatile tools in diverse areas, including education, manufacturing, healthcare, and design. While these technologies provide immersive, experiential learning opportunities for users, the characteristics of AR and VR are unclear for new, users. This presentation will distinguish the differences between AR and VR and will identify both the promises and the challenges of these technologies. There will be ample time for questions. Kiran graduated from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology and a Minor in Counseling Psychology. Her honours thesis investigated the viability of the Misinformation Effect – memory alterations following exposure to post-event information – across a slideshow, two-dimensional video, and 360-degree Virtual Reality. She was a recipient of the 2020 Canadian Psychological Association of Academic Excellence award for her thesis. Her main research interests include the development and persistence of false memories and Virtual Reality.

Director of Kwantlen Polytechnic University's Virtual Reality Lab, Farhad Dastur, proposes four strategies to help instructors adjust to online teaching. Delivering Value at a Distance: Teaching and Learning Strategies, Challenges, and Solutions. A virtual get-together. August 7, 2020.