Emerging Perspectives: Graduate Symposium Series on Immersive Experience Design and Extended Realities

Overview

Spearheaded by faculty from the Media and Immersive eXperience (MIX) Center, this initiative highlights the voices and contributions of graduate students in the rapidly evolving fields of Immersive Experience Design and Extended Realities (XR).

Each panel was conceptualized, moderated, and conducted by students, with topics ranging from ethics in immersive technologies to accessibility, immersive sound design, and learning applications in XR environments. By focusing on student perspectives, the series demonstrates the depth of thought, creativity, and expertise that graduate students bring to these emerging disciplines.

Innovative Approach

This symposium represents a pioneering educational model:

1. Student-Led Panel Development:

   • Students submitted abstracts on topics they were passionate about, reflecting cutting-edge issues in immersive design and XR.

   • Abstracts underwent a double-blind peer review by MIX-affiliated faculty to ensure academic rigor and professional quality.

   • Selected abstract authors became panel moderators, while other students joined panels aligned with their interests.

2. Professional Panel Format:

   • Panels were hosted every Monday at the MIX Center and streamed live, fostering real-world presentation and communication skills.

   • Each session concluded with a Q&A segment, encouraging dialogue and critical inquiry with the audience.

3. Extending Impact Beyond the Classroom:

   • The series was fully filmed and is being edited into a dedicated playlist for the ASU website.

   • This resource will serve prospective students, industry collaborators, and academic peers by offering insights into the program and showcasing the graduate cohort's capabilities.

Why This Matters

In an emerging field like Immersive Experience Design, students are more than learners—they are active contributors to the evolution of the discipline. This series shifts the traditional dynamic by amplifying student voices and fostering a collaborative learning environment that empowers students to share their ideas with peers, faculty, and a global audience.

Key Topics Explored

• Ethics in XR: Privacy, Data Security, and Informed Consent

• Accessibility in Immersive Design

• Immersive Audio: Standardization and Impact

• Immersive Learning Applications in Education

• The Transition from Flat Media to XR

• AI in Art and Technology

Student and Faculty Collaboration

This project exemplifies the collaborative spirit of the MIX Center, combining student innovation with faculty mentorship. The rigorous peer review process, professional execution, and subsequent video series demonstrate ASU’s commitment to academic excellence and creative exploration in immersive technologies.

Watch the Series

Stay tuned for the release of the full symposium playlist on the ASU website. Explore the dynamic discussions shaping the future of immersive experience design and see how ASU is leading the way in this groundbreaking field.