VR may be a novel technology, but it pressed all the right buttons in a Heriot-Watt University research project aiming to eliminate bias toward disabled academics
Quick read
➨ Animmersion created two interactive, immersive experiences for Heriot-Watt University
➨ One simulates a job interview involving a disabled candidate that takes place within a dynamic video conferencing scenario
➨ Another uses virtual reality to recreate the effect of working in a busy, open plan office for someone living with auditory hypersensitivity
➨ The resulting training programme, including the two interactive experiences developed as part of the project, will launch this month
The story
Heriot-Watt University in Scotland has completed a major two-and-a-half-year project using immersive technology to improve the recruitment and retention of disabled scientists.
The resulting training programme, including the two interactive experiences developed as part of the project, will launch this month.
UK-based digital visualisation specialist Animmersion created two interactive, immersive experiences for Heriot-Watt University as part of the Disability Inclusive Science Careers (DISC) programme aimed at improving the recruitment, retention, and progression of postdoctoral disabled scientists.
The first experience simulates a job interview involving a disabled candidate that takes place within a dynamic video conferencing scenario, while the second uses virtual reality to recreate the effect of working in a busy, open plan office for someone living with auditory hypersensitivity.
Various levels and types of responses are explored in each scenario to highlight differing levels of discrimination, responses, and actions.
These activities are designed to give decision makers an insight into both unintended and blatant bias encountered by disabled colleagues within the academic sector.
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