Reality+ Reading Group

promotional design for David J. Chalmers's book "Reality +". Includes a penguin random house logo in the corner.

David Chalmers, a leading philosopher of consciousness and philosophy of mind, will be giving a virtual talk on his forthcoming book about the philosophical implications of virtual and augmented reality as part of our Voices of XR Speaker Series. The talk will take place on Wednesday, April 6 from 12-1 with support from Kathy McMorran Murray (details TBA).

Students, faculty, and staff who are interested are invited to join a casual reading group to discuss Reality+ in advance of Professor Chalmers’ visit.

promotional design for David J. Chalmers's book "Reality +". Includes a penguin random house logo in the corner.

The group will meet biweekly from 12-1 on Fridays beginning Friday, February 4. If we are able to be on campus, the group will meet in Studio X and use a hybrid format for anyone who wishes to join on Zoom. Generous funding has been made available from the Humanities Center and River Campus Libraries to purchase copies of the book for reading group members. Thanks to Kate Phillips, Associate Professor in the Writing, Speaking, and Argument Program for organizing this group. If you are interested in joining the reading group, please fill out this short form.

Training Brains with Virtual Reality

Brenna James '20 wearing a virtual reality headset with a computer in the foreground of the photo

Duje Tadin, associate professor of brain and cognitive sciences; Jeffrey Bazarian, professor of emergency medicine; and Feng (Vankee) Lin, assistant professor in the School of Nursing, are working together to see how VR can help treat people with Alzheimer’s disease and those suffering from concussions. Through access to technology and training, Studio X will prepare students to collaborate on and conduct cutting edge research.

Brenna James ’20 suffered a concussion in high school. Rochester researchers are using VR to create therapeutic treatments that be used at home by patients like her.

Read the full article via the University of Rochester’s Newscenter.