The XR-Research Symposium at Rose Bruford College on 17 June will bring together academics, artists and technologists using XR technologies for research in theatre and performance.
The use of XR (augmented/mixed/virtual reality) tools and techniques is now well-established in many fields of artistic practice and academic enquiry, from their use to make various kinds of digital performance to VR reconstructions of historic theatres. This one-day symposium brings together academics and practitioners to share, discuss and explore how XR can be used for performance research, to ask questions such as:
- How does research into digital performance that uses XR technologies differ from other kinds of research? What methodologies are useful?
- How can XR technologies be used to investigate performance histories?
- What are the barriers to making XR performances accessible to all users?
- How can artists and technologists working with XR engage with and benefit from research in universities?
We will also showcase AngelVR – a UKRI-funded project led by Enrique Munoz Jimenez to develop an accessible, marketable VR experience with disabled users at its heart.
First shaped in collaboration with Avatâra Ayuso, the project addresses a key gap in VR: creating high-quality, immersive experiences that are genuinely inclusive. Potential applications include museums, galleries, and festivals, where VR is increasingly used for learning but is not always accessible.
The day will include presentations, demonstrations, and a plenary for discussion, as well as an opportunity to network.