Reimagining Research: Using VR to Drive Inclusivity and Representation

Discover how VR is reshaping research by promoting inclusivity and representation. This in-person Speaker Evening includes a live demonstration of immersive VR simulations.

As society becomes more diverse, research methodologies must evolve to represent everyone, ensuring inclusivity while addressing specific needs. This webinar explores an innovative project that used Virtual Reality (VR) simulations of self-driving taxis to examine inclusivity in transport design. By incorporating participants with protected characteristics—including neurodivergent individuals—this research uncovered insights into creating adaptive, user-centred approaches.

The webinar will demonstrate how immersive technologies like VR can help simulate real-world experiences, empowering researchers to better understand the needs of underrepresented communities. We’ll discuss adapting research methodologies to accommodate diverse participants, ensuring inclusivity while capturing rich, actionable insights. If participants have a VR headset at home, they can join the VR environment in real time to gain first-hand experience and understanding into how to plan inclusive virtual research.

Whether you’re designing for neurodivergent users, addressing physical disabilities, or ensuring fair representation across race, gender, and age, this webinar will inspire you to reimagine inclusivity in research and product design.

What you’ll learn:

• Learn how VR technology can create realistic, accessible simulations for diverse user groups.
• Explore best practices for inclusive research design, particularly for people with protected characteristics.
• Gain actionable insights into adapting research for neurodivergent participants.
• Understand the value of inclusive research in shaping products that reflect societal diversity.

Presenter Bios

Dr Clare Mutzenich is research director at Lacuna Agency specialising in transportation mobility and human factors, with extensive experience in enhancing safety, accessibility, and efficiency in transport systems. Clare has led projects that bridge technology and inclusivity, including her recent work using VR simulations to explore adaptive designs for self-driving taxis for the Department for Transport and in collaboration with Loughborough University. She is highly skilled at integrating diverse perspectives, including neurodivergence, into research to deliver impactful outcomes.

Professor Gary Burnett, Professor in Digital Creativity at the School of Design and Creative Arts, Loughborough University, has expertise in Human Factors and Human-Computer Interaction, with a strong focus on the application of immersive technologies in design and education. Previously, Gary was the Head of the Human Factors Research Group at the University of Nottingham, where he worked extensively on cutting-edge projects in Human Factors and the use of virtual and augmented reality.

TBC Representative from CCAV/DfT

The Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), part of the UK government, supports the development, testing, and deployment of self-driving technologies. Jointly run by the Department for Transport and the Department for Business and Trade, it focuses on policy, regulation, and funding to advance safe and innovative autonomous mobility systems across various sectors.