Organised by XR and Attention Research Group and supported by the Centre for Attention Studies, King’s College London, the symposium on Attention and Perception in XR (Extended Reality) is a hybrid event that combines presentations, discussions, immersive project showcases, and networking activities across two days. It brings together scholars and creatives to discuss the problem of attention and perception in XR, and explore what XR means for us at this present historical and technical moment. Structured around three intersecting themes, the symposium seeks to open up discussion and further research into the physiological and socio-cultural mechanisms of making and shaping attention in and with XR; into how we might use those to make XR spaces more body-caring and human-centred and how performing arts might inform the design of those spaces; and, last but not least, into how we might reshape the knowledge of cultural heritage and create new centres of attention across disciplinary boundaries.

The event is free and open to all, but places need to be reserved. Please make sure you choose the right ticket (in-person or online).

Access the full programme with abstracts here.

PROGRAMME

DAY 1, 20 June (all hybrid)

10.45-11.00 Registration

11.00-11.10 Welcome

 

ATTENTION DESIGN AND USER PERCEPTION

11.10-11.15 Introduction

11.15-11.30 Rob Morgan (Creative Director, Playlines), Surprising Myself: Drawing Attention to Augmented Identities in XR Storytelling Through Anagnorisis

11.30-11.45 CyberRäuber: Björn Lengers & Marcel Knapke (Digital Performing Arts Collective), Orchestrating Perception: User-Centered Design for Immersive XR Experiences

11.45-12.00 Nadine Aburumman (Lecturer in Computer Science, Brunel University),

Real-Time Physics for Realistic Virtual Humans

12.00-12.15 Stephanie Janes (Lecturer in Immersive Media and Global Media Industries, CMCI, KCL), XR, Attention Economies and Experience Economies

12.15-12.45 Discussion I

12.45-13.10 Lunch (provided)

 

ATTENTION MODES AND ARTISTIC ENGAGEMENT

13.10-13.15 Introduction

13.15-13.30 Joanna Zylinska (Prof of Media Philosophy and Critical Practice, DDH, KCL),

Attention in the Image Envelope

13.30-13.45 Elliott Hall (Research Software Engineer, King’s Digital Lab), Place Based Immersion

13.45-14.00 Madi Boyd (Visual Artist), The Complexity of Touch

14.00-14.30 Lois Svard (Prof of Music Emerita, Bucknell University), Might the Study of Music Inform the Study of Extended Reality?

14.30-14.45 Nye Parry (Prof of Composition and Electronic Music, Guildhall School of Music),

Exploded Sounds in Real and Virtual Worlds

14.45-15.15 Discussion II

15.15-15.40 Coffee Break (25 min)

 

ATTENTION AND KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION

15.40-15.45 Intro

15.45-16.00 Luís Felipe Abbud (Visiting PhD Researcher, CMCI, KCL), DemonumentaAR: Resignifying public Monuments Through AR in São Paulo, Brazil

16.00-16.15 Hugh Bowden (Prof of Ancient History, KCL), Virtual Oracle

16.15-16.30 Neil Jakeman (Senior Research Software Analyst, KDL), A Close Reading of Representational Art Using Immersive Tech

16.30-16.45 Gabriele Salciute Civiliene (Senior Lecturer in Digital Humanities, DDH, KCL), Rhetoric of Attention: VR for Embodied Reading

16.45-17.15 Discussion III

17.15-18.00 Drinks Reception

 

DAY 2, 21 June

11.00-12.00 Treasure Hunt on RecRoom (hybrid)

12.00-13.30 Immersive Project Showcase & Presentations (onsite only)

13.30-14.30 Roundtable Discussion (hybrid)