Extended Abstract/Poster Paper Accepted at ACM SUI 2026!

Our extended abstract/poster - "Claws of Change: An Embodied Educational VR Experience for Visualizing the Effects of Ocean Climate Change Through Time Travel", led by Masters student Rebecca Yee, has been accepted to ACM SUI 2026. This work describes our initial work with Carleton University and Monash University collaborators who explore different visual cue formats for learning piano with augmented reality.

*The ACM Symposium on Spatial User Interaction (short: ACM SUI) brings together top researchers and practitioners from around the world who focus on spatial interaction for virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, and for ubiquitous, intelligent/smart and real environments.

Extended Abstract/Poster Paper Accepted at IEEE ISMAR 2026!

Our extended abstract/poster - "Visual Cues in Augmented Reality Piano Playing", led by Research Assistant Dani Cole, has been accepted to IEEE ISMAR 2026. This work describes our initial work on working with researchers at the University of Ottawa to build a VR learning experience centred around learning about the effects of climate change in Canadian oceans over time through the embodiment of a time-travelling lobster.

*The 25th IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR) is the leading global venue for AR, MR, and VR, bringing together top researchers, practitioners, and innovators from academia and industry.

Workshop Accepted at IEEE ISMAR 2026!

Dr. Anthony Scavarelli and collaborators at Toronto Metropolitan University (Dr. Preeti Raman), MacEwan University (Dr. Sam Qorbani), Monash University (Dr. Rob Teather and Dr. Victoria McArthur), and Adelaide University (Dr. Mark Billinghurst) will be organizing TeacXR'26, The 1st International workshop on teaching XR at ISMAR 2026 to better understand and share XR teaching strategies.

*The 25th IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR) is the leading global venue for AR, MR, and VR, bringing together top researchers, practitioners, and innovators from academia and industry.

Paper Accepted at Graphics Interface 2026!

Dr. Anthony Scavarelli and student collaborators at Carleton University and Algonquin College have had their paper - "Lessons Learned Teaching Virtual Reality in an Undergraduate Design Studio" - accepted at Graphics Interface 2026. The paper centers around data and case studies captured over two years of a design studio that taught VR.

*Established in 1969, Graphics Interface (GI) spans computer graphics, information visualization, and human-computer interaction, with a strong Canadian connection.

Attending EduCHI 2026!

We attended EduCHi at the University of Toronto to connect with other researchers and practitioners in the field of human-computer interaction education.

*EduCHI is about fostering the exchange of innovative pedagogical approaches and addressing the needs of HCI educators from around the world.

Attending Questioning Reality 2026!

We were fortunate enough to be invited to attend the Questioning Reality 2026 conference at the University of Toronto to connect with other Social VR researchers, brainstorming new ideas for future research in this space.

*Questioning Reality is a conference that brings together researchers, practitioners, and enthusiasts from various disciplines to explore the philosophical, ethical, and societal implications of virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality technologies.

Paper Accepted at iLRN 2026!

In this paper - "Exploring the Developer Challenges of Creating Multi-Platform VR Museum Experiences in a Post-Secondary Design Studio", in collaboration with the Science and Technology Museum organization - Ingenium, we explore the development of virtual museum exhibits by students within a undergraduate classroom setting.

*The 12th Annual International Conference of the Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN2026) is an innovative and interactive gathering online and face-to-face for the global association of immersive learning professionals.

VRiend Lab Launched at Toronto Metropolitan University!

We are excited to announce the official launch of the VRiend Lab hosted within the Department of Computer Science at Toronto Metropolitan University. Lots to do; but a great place to get to work.