Dr. Sylvia Xueni Pan is a Senior Lecturer in VR at Goldsmiths, University of London. She has a BEng in Computer Science from Beihang University, an MSc in Graphics and PhD in Virtual Reality from UCL (funded by the EPSRC). Before coming to Goldsmiths, she worked as a research fellow in Computer Science at UCL and at the same University’s Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience (ICN). Her research interest is the use of virtual reality (VR) as a medium for real-time social interaction, in particular in the application areas of training and therapy. Dr Pan has developed a unique interdisciplinary research profile, with journal and conference publications on both VR technology and social neuroscience. Her work has been featured on the BBC, in New Scientist magazine and the Wall Street Journal. Her 2017 Coursera VR specialisation attracted over 100,000 registered learners globally. She co-leads the Goldsmiths Social, Empathic, and Embodied VR lab (SeeVR Lab) and the MA/MSc in Virtual and Augmented Reality programme at Goldsmiths Computing.
Where: Studio X & Zoom When: Friday, April 22nd from 1 to 2pm EST Register:bit.ly/VoXRSylviaPan
Recording
Event recording available for UR faculty, students, and staff with NetID and password: bit.ly/XRSylviaPan
Voices of XR is a Studio X speaker series. Speakers are scholars, artists, and extended reality professionals who discuss their work with immersive technologies across disciplines and industries. All talks are free and open to the general public.
From your Downloads folder, double-click on the Unity Hub Setup file to begin the installation.
Agree to Unity Terms of Service and follow the instructions to install Unity Hub.
Open Unity Hub for the first time.
Step 2: Download and Install Unity Version 2021.1.16f1
There are many different versions of the Unity software, as its developed and released over time. During this workshop, we’ll be using version 2021.1.16f1.
In the Installs tab, click Add to add a new Unity version.
Choose 2021.1.16f1.
Choose to install Visual Studio (for Mac or PC) and Android Build Support. (very important!)
Accept any necessary terms and conditions and begin installation.
Step 3: Create a Unity ID
From the Account menu in the Unity Hub, click to sign in.
If you already have an account, sign in. Otherwise, you can create a new Unity ID.
You may receive a notice about needing to activate a license. You can do this under the settings menu (click the cog in the upper-right corner). From there, you can click “License Management” in the menu and choose a personal license.
Select “Unity Personal” and “I don’t use Unity in a professional capacity.”
Mary Ann Mavrinac, vice provost and dean of the University of Rochester Libraries, shares insight into how the campus community directed the development of Studio X, the library’s new extended reality hub featuring advanced technology and expert training
“I don’t believe in ‘if you build it, they will come.’ You can build something, but they won’t come if you don’t know what your users want,” Mavrinac said. It’s the guiding principle she and her team followed throughout the ideation and planning of the library’s new high-tech hub, Studio X. Located on the first floor of the Carlson Science and Engineering Library, the 3,000 SF space allows students and faculty to participate in immersive learning experiences.
Equipped with technology that supports virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and everything between (extended reality or XR), Studio X allows researchers to perform tasks such as visualizing large data sets and safely experimenting with hazardous materials by creating a virtual environment. Studio X broadens the range of possibilities for discovery and instruction, but what makes it truly special is its source of inspiration. CannonDesign collaborated with the university to design a facility that the campus community not only requested but also intimately shaped. From inception to completion, student and faculty preferences were integrated with expert knowledge to deliver a space tailored to serve the entire campus community.
We spoke with Dean Mavrinac to learn more about the process and impact of the project. She wanted to underscore that the success, to date, of Studio X is a team effort, much of it led by Digital Scholarship and Studio X director, Emily Sherwood.
There aren’t many academic libraries that offer a space like Studio X. What is it, and how did the project begin?
The project began in fall 2017 when Lauren Di Monte joined our team and learned from the faculty that there was a lot of research activity in extended reality and other immersive technologies. We thought it was something the library could get involved in since we had close to 50 researchers engaged in XR technologies. So, we set out to better understand that landscape and how the researchers would engage with any initiative we developed, whether it was a space or specialized expertise. We knew a generic cave wouldn’t work for them, so we thought about what we may be able to do to help them tackle specific research questions. As it turned out, we pivoted to a space and service that would provide an easy on-ramp to those less familiar with these technologies and related needs.
Today, Studio X is a collaborative hub for extended reality where students and faculty are immersed in learning and teaching in ways that just aren’t possible without advanced technology. It’s a high-tech space that allows exploration, experimentation and experience that truly brings education to life.
What was the goal of Studio X? Who is it for?
The overall goal was to offer physical space, a program, services, technology and expertise that students and faculty needed—and expertise was really big. The user research told us that they wanted a space and experts in the space to teach them how to use and apply the technologies. We approached this goal by providing an on-ramp that made it easy for people to gain access to and experience with XR technologies.
Whether a person is an advanced researcher or a novice user, we’re good at helping people feel comfortable to explore their questions. The library is an interdisciplinary crossroads at the university, so it could be someone studying history, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, religion, ethics—whatever it is—if they’re interested in using XR technologies, we provide the support they need to feel welcome.
Scott McEldowney, Ph.D. is a Director, Research Scientist for Reality Labs Research, Meta in Redmond, WA. His research spans areas from novel imaging systems to exploration of emerging concepts in near to eye display. Scott was the founding member of the optics research team within Reality Labs. He built and lead a team of researchers conducting advanced research in augmented and virtual reality display systems. Prior to Reality Labs Research, Scott was a Principal Optical Engineer for Microsoft incubating new hardware technologies. While at Microsoft, Scott helped develop and launch new 3D sensing platforms (Kinect) and was a core member of the team that developed the optic architecture for the first version of Hololens. Prior to Microsoft, Scott worked for 18 years in the Advanced Optical Technology division of JDSU developing optical components and systems for consumer electronics, medical instrumentation, and aerospace. Scott holds a MS degree in Mechanical Engineering and PhD in Optical Sciences from the College of Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona.
This presentation will give an overview of Reality Labs (RL) Research, Meta and introduce many of the key elements necessary to build a successful augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) system, focusing on optics and displays. He will present recent advances at RL Research in near-to-eye display systems in aspects such as resolution, field of view, image quality, form factor, accommodation. Making progress requires not just uncovering new technological building blocks but also developing perceptual test vehicles to establish the benefits, limitations, and requirements for future VR and AR optics and displays.
Where: In person in Studio X & Virtual on Zoom When: Friday, April 15th from 1 to 2pm EST Register:bit.ly/VoXR415
Voices of XR is a Studio X speaker series. Speakers are scholars, artists, and extended reality professionals who discuss their work with immersive technologies across disciplines and industries. All talks are free and open to the general public.
Metaverse? Waste of time. VR Flappy Bird wherein you are the bird? That’s more like it. Come join us in learning what the future of VR truly looks like in our step-by-step workshop on how to make your own VR Flappy Bird game in Unity, a real-time creation platform used to build games, XR experiences, visualizations, and more!
Join Studio X, UR’s hub for immersive technologies, and learn more about the digitalworld of extended reality (XR). All levels welcome. No experience necessary!
Note: In order to participate, you will need to complete the pre-workshop instructions, which will be sent by email prior to the event. Need assistance with this process? Ask for help on the Studio X Discord (Quick Questions Channel).
Instructor: Muhammed El-Sayed Where: Studio X, Carlson Library First Floor When: Thursday, 10/6 from 6 to 7:30pm Register: libcal.lib.rochester.edu/event/9657308
David Chalmers is a leading philosopher of consciousness and philosophy of the mind. He is Professor of Philosophy and Neural Science at New York University. He is the Co-Director of the Center for Mind, Brain, and Consciousness. He is also Honorary Professor of Philosophy at the Australian National University and Co-Director of the PhilPapers Foundation. He studies the foundations of cognitive science, physics, and technology, as well as philosophy of language, metaphysics, and epistemology, and many other areas.
He will discuss his new book, Reality+, which focuses on the philosophical implications of virtual and augmented reality. He argues that virtual worlds are not second-class worlds and that we can live a meaningful life in virtual reality.
Where: In person in Studio X & Virtual on Zoom When: Wednesday, April 6th from 12 to 1pm EST Register:bit.ly/VoXRDavidChalmers
Recording
Event recording available for UR faculty, students, and staff with NetID and password: bit.ly/XRDavidChalmers
Voices of XR is a Studio X speaker series. Speakers are scholars, artists, and extended reality professionals who discuss their work with immersive technologies across disciplines and industries. All talks are free and open to the general public.
Muhsinah L. Holmes Morris, Ph.D., is the Director of “Morehouse in the Metaverse,” a VR Project at Morehouse College and Assistant Professor of Education for the Morehouse Center for Excellence in Education (ECEE). She is an alumna of Clark Atlanta University (BS) and Emory University (MS, PhD). She teaches her chemistry courses in VR on Morehouse’s digital twin campus created by VictoryXR on the Engage Platform.
Her research encompasses working in the Morehouse Makerspace Exploration Center, 3D Printing Specialized Laboratory Equipment for those with Autism and other Developmental Disorders. She is the PI of the Morris Research and Innovation Group, where they research and develop technologically innovative solutions for those with autism. Dr. Morris won the 2021 Vulcan Teaching Award of Excellence and launched her Advanced Inorganic Chemistry course in virtual reality in the spring of 2021 in the digital twin campus. She is a pioneer in this space as the chemistry content in VR is limited to non-existent. Wife to a gamer and mom to five sons, she is an inventive autism mom, a volunteer advocacy ambassador, National Community Advisory Council member, and grant review committee member for Autism Speaks. Her purpose in life is to create inclusivity in STEAAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, agriculture, and math). She believes that VR provides a pathway for creating that inclusion through immersive education, vocational rehabilitation services, and therapeutic experiences.
Where: In person in Studio X & Virtual on Zoom When: Friday, March 25th from 1 to 2pm EST Register:bit.ly/VoXRMuhsinahMorris
Recording
Voices of XR is a Studio X speaker series. Speakers are scholars, artists, and extended reality professionals who discuss their work with immersive technologies across disciplines and industries. All talks are free and open to the general public.
Make your own VR musical experience in Unity, a real-time creation platform used to build games, XR experiences, visualizations, and more! Participants will first create their own music and sound design with Tracktion, a free audio editing tool. They’ll then import their creations to Unity and experiment with immersive sound. Participants will leave with a basic working knowledge of music theory, music software, and sound design for VR projects.
Join Studio X, UR’s hub for immersive technologies, and learn more about the digitalworld of extended reality (XR). All levels welcome. No experience necessary!
In one intensive six-hour session, students will learn how to create digital 3D models of buildings, rooms, and/or objects using DLSR cameras and Agisoft Metashape software.
Module 1 covers principals of photogrammetry recording and data capture in the field.
Module 2 familiarizes students with the Metashape workflow and optimization techniques for photo/model processing.
Module 3 discusses how to export the models you make and use them for 3D printing, as video game assets, and for public sharing.
Note: Attendees must bring their own SD cards.
Instructor: Professor Mike Jarvis Where: Studio X, Carlson Library First Floor and off-site locations (likely Mt. Hope Cemetery) When: Sunday, 3/20 from 12:30 to 6:30pm Register: bit.ly/learnphotogrammetry
Who Owns Our (Virtual) Identities?: XR, Data, Privacy, & Safety
Well known as the “Cyber Guardian,” founder & CEO of the XR Safety Initiative (XRSI), Kavya Pearlman is an award-winning cybersecurity professional with a deep interest in immersive and emerging technologies. Kavya is a pioneer of the novel XRSI Privacy Framework for the Immersive Technologies and Spatial Computing Domain, security awareness in the metaverse, and various baseline security and privacy standards for XR. She has been named one of the top cybersecurity influencers for three consecutive years, 2018-2019-2020, by IFSEC Global.
Kavya has previously advised Facebook on third-party security risks during the 2016 US presidential elections and worked as the head of security for the oldest virtual world, “Second Life” by Linden Lab. Kavya is the leading voice in cybersecurity, privacy, and ethics for emerging technologies including AR, VR, XR, exploring cross-sections of 5G, AI, and BCI – leading standards development and promoting diversity and inclusion in the immersive technologies. Kavya is one of the Top 50 speakers in the cybersecurity industry and constantly shares knowledge via webinars, conference talks, and blog posts around application security, cloud-native technologies, machine learning, and the global challenges that come along with the next iteration of the internet, the metaverse and web 3.0.
Kavya has founded The CyberXR Coalition that now focuses on diversity and inclusion and the cross-section of cybersecurity and XR, helped launch a trustworthy XR news platform, ReadyHackerOne, established a Medical XR Advisory Council and Metaverse Reality Check (The MRC).
Voices of XR is a Studio X speaker series. Speakers are scholars, artists, and extended reality professionals who discuss their work with immersive technologies across disciplines and industries. All talks are free and open to the general public.
