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The future of tomorrows learning: Augmented Reality bring things to life by making abstract ideas tangible, engaging and more accessible. It overlays digital content onto the real world, creating interactive experiences that can boost student motivation, provide real-world context, and cater to diverse learning styles. This leads to deeper understanding and more effective learning. Come and experience AR through live and engaging demonstrations
The Power of Presence: How Augmented/Virtual Reality can transform the way we work, learn, play and travel
Professor Gary Burnett
(Professor of Digital Creativity)
Augmented and Virtual Reality technologies—collectively known as Extended Reality (XR)—are transforming how we experience the world by creating a powerful sense of presence, where digital environments, objects, and people appear to exist in the same physical space as the observer.
In this engaging talk, discover how XR is being applied in cutting-edge research at Loughborough University to enhance everyday activities:
Future Vehicles: Learn how Augmented Reality head-up displays can improve driver safety, efficiency, and comfort.
Education: Explore how XR and hologram-based technology are creating dynamic and immersive learning experiences for students.
Key highlights include:
Understanding the concept of presence and how it is measured.
Real-world applications of XR that are reshaping industries.
Interactive demonstrations showcasing the potential of XR.
In this engaging talk, discover how XR is being applied in cutting-edge research at Loughborough University to enhance everyday activities:
Future Vehicles: Learn how Augmented Reality head-up displays can improve driver safety, efficiency, and comfort.
Education: Explore how XR and hologram-based technology are creating dynamic and immersive learning experiences for students.
Key highlights include:
Understanding the concept of presence and how it is measured.
Real-world applications of XR that are reshaping industries.
Interactive demonstrations showcasing the potential of XR.

What is AR good for? Why technology that doesn't speak to people is rubbish.
Simon Downs
(Lecturer in Graphic Communication)
A Thought-Provoking Talk on the Human Side of Tech
Technology alone doesn’t drive change—people do. In this insightful talk, discover why the most successful communication technologies are those that support existing social and cultural practices. Through real-world examples, the presentation will explore why failing to consider how people actually use technology can render even the most advanced innovations irrelevant.
Key insights include:
How social and cultural factors shape the success of new technologies.
Why technology must align with human needs and behaviours to be effective.
Practical lessons for designing tech with real-world impact.
Technology alone doesn’t drive change—people do. In this insightful talk, discover why the most successful communication technologies are those that support existing social and cultural practices. Through real-world examples, the presentation will explore why failing to consider how people actually use technology can render even the most advanced innovations irrelevant.
Key insights include:
How social and cultural factors shape the success of new technologies.
Why technology must align with human needs and behaviours to be effective.
Practical lessons for designing tech with real-world impact.

Immersive Co-Design for Inclusive Smart Cities and Public Spaces: Leveraging AI and VR in Urban Futures
Dr Ahmed Ehab Abdelsalam
(Post Doctoral Research Associate in Digital Creativity)
This talk explores how Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are transforming the way we design and experience cities. It will showcase immersive co-design approaches that engage the public in shaping smart cities and inclusive public spaces. Using interactive environments, conversational avatars, and participatory simulations, I will demonstrate how emerging technologies are enhancing collaboration between designers, planners, and communities to create more responsive and human-centred urban futures.

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