TEAM
Sophia Ppali - University of the Arts London and University of Kent, UK
Sophia is a research fellow at the Creative Computing Institute, University of Arts London, undertaking research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on professional artists and how digital technologies can help them recover. She is also a PhD Candidate at the University of Kent. She holds an MSc from Imperial College London, an MA from the Royal College of Art and a BA from the University of Kent.
Boyd Branch - Coventry University, UK
Boyd is is a technologist for XR and live performance and a lecturer in digital media at Coventry University. He is the creator of Virtual Director, a software platform for creating remote theatre, and founder of the Improvisational Media & Performance Lab, which explores how improvisational pedagogies can be utilized to create accessible, adaptive, and supportive technologies.
Dr. Alexandra Covaci - University of Kent, UK
Alexandra is a researcher in the field of virtual reality and currently a Lecturer in the Digital Design course at the University of Kent. Her research activities lie at the confluence of VR, multisensory media, human computer interaction and psychology. She is particularly interested in creating a systematic understanding of multisensory experiences for interactive technologies. Her approach is driven by a mix of human factor studies and creativity.
Dr. Bea Wohl - University of Arts London, UK
Bea is a Research associate at the Creative Computing Institute, University of Arts London. They hold a PhD in Digital Innovation from the HighWire CDT at the University of Lancaster. They have worked in consultancy and communications for over a decade, focusing on the creative and cultural sectors. They have an MA in Media and Communications and an Advanced Certificate in PR.
Dr. Vali Lalioti - University of the Arts London, UK
Vali is the Programme Director of the Creative Computing Institute, University of the Arts London, and the Director-Founder of The Innovation Consultancy. She has been a professor and innovator in the field of VR/XR for 25 years. She has led BBC’s first AR production that received the British Television Society judges award 2003 and the InnovateUK funded VR Rehearse & Perform in 2021. She holds a PhD in Computer Science, an MBA and an MRes in Design.
Alex Kane - VOLTA, UK - Guest Speaker
Alex is a multidisciplinary artist, musician and designer. He is currently the CEO of Volta - a self-serve XR creation platform that gives artists & creators the ability to design and broadcast experiential content that goes beyond the 2D screen and reaches into the metaverse.