The Data Sciences Institute Questioning Reality: Explorations of Virtual Reality conference will be a unique and thought-provoking event that will explore the realm of social interactions in mediated environments, encompassing virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), extended reality (XR), and mixed realities (MR). This conference aims to bring together leading scholars, industry professionals, and enthusiasts to collaboratively shape the future research landscape of VR.
About the Conference:
In a world where technology is rapidly shaping our perceptions of reality, the “Questioning Reality” conference seeks to delve into the intricate interplay between social interactions and mediated environments. Hosted at the Data Sciences Institute space at the University of Toronto, the event will feature a series of engaging discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities aimed at shaping a social interaction-informed agenda for the next research cycle on VR.
What to expect:
This invite-only conference is designed to foster a dynamic and inclusive atmosphere that encourages exploration and collaboration. There is no requirement to submit papers or deliver presentations, and participants are invited to engage in spirited discussions, share their insights, and gain valuable exposure to cutting-edge research in the field. Travel costs to and from the conference will be covered.
The conference is made possible through the generous support of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, a not-for-profit, mission-driven grantmaking institution dedicated to improving the welfare of all through the advancement of scientific knowledge.
| April 23, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1230-1:00 pm |
Registration
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1:00-2:00 pm |
An Invitation and Introductions |
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2:00-2:30 pm |
Mini-Grant Lightning Talks
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2:30-3:30 pm |
File Drawers and Fantasies: Session 1
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3:30-4:30 pm |
Book Panel |
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4:30-5:30 pm |
Industry Panel |
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5:30-6:00 pm |
Dinner Break |
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6:00-7:00 pm |
Keynote Blair MacIntyre |
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8:00-10:00 pm |
Social and Networking |
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| April 24, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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9:00-9:30 am |
Breakfast & Networking |
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9:30-10:30 am |
Blue Sky Discussion #1: VR & Collaborative Work |
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10:30-12:00 pm |
Workshops Rotation 1
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12:00-1:30 pm |
Lunch and VR Play Time
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1:30-2:30 pm |
File Drawers and Fantasies: Session 2 |
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2:30-3:30 pm |
Building VR Labs |
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4:00-5:30 pm |
Keynote Pablo Pérez |
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5:30-6:30 pm |
Reception |
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7:30-9:30 pm |
Dinner in Toronto |
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| April 25, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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9:00-9:30 am |
Breakfast & Networking |
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9:30-10:30 am |
Blue Sky #2: Generative AI and VR |
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10:30-11:30 am |
File Drawers and Fantasies Session 3
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11:30-12:30 pm |
Funding Panel
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12:30-2:00 pm |
Lunch & VR Playtime |
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2:00-3:30 pm |
Workshop Rotation 2
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3:30-4:30 pm |
File Drawers & Fantasies: Lightning Presentations
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4:30-5:30 pm |
Future Planning
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5:30 pm |
Thank you and wrap-up
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Sun Joo (Grace) Ahn
Director, Center for Advanced Computer-Human Ecosystems (CACHE)
University of Georgia
Sun Joo (Grace) Ahn (Ph.D., Stanford University) is a Professor of Advertising at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia. She is the founding director of the Center for Advanced Computer-Human Ecosystems (CACHE) and the co-editor-in-chief of Media Psychology. Her main program of research investigates how immersive technologies such as virtual and augmented reality transform traditional rules of communication and social interactions, looking at how virtual experiences shape the way that people think, feel, and behave in the physical world. Her work is funded by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency, and published in numerous top-tier outlets in the fields of communication, health, and engineering.
Bree McEwan
Associate Director of DSI@UTM and Associate Professor,
Institute for Communication, Culture, and Information Technology
University of Toronto Mississauga
University of Toronto
Bree McEwan’s research focuses on the intersection between interpersonal communication and communication technology. Her book Navigating New Media Networks explores how communication technology, in particular social media facilitates interpersonal communication processes and relationships. She has published two measures, the Facebook Relational Maintenance measure, and the Perceived Social Affordances of Communication Channels scale. Her recent projects involve tests of an original theory of online information diffusion, the Mediated Skewed Diffusion of Issues Information theory, and exploring how people interact within virtual reality environments.
Blair MacIntyre
Global Head of Immersive Technology Research
JP MorganChase
Blair MacIntyre’s research team seeks to understand how these AR technologies can be used effectively to benefit the company, its employees, and customers. He is on leave from Northeastern University, where he is a Professor in the College of Art, Media, and Design and in the Khoury College of Computer Sciences. He has been doing AR research since 1991, and founded the Augmented Environments Lab at Georgia Tech in 1999 where he was a Professor until 2022. He has been working on bringing AR to the web since 2008, including spending 2016-2020 at Mozilla working on web-based AR/VR. His research is currently focused on using distributed, social mixed reality to support online conferences, meetings, and teaching. He has worked on AR systems in military, industrial, enterprise, educational, and gaming domains, and consults on technical, design, and legal issues in AR.
Pablo Pérez
Lead Scientist, Extended Reality Lab at Nokia
(Madrid, Spain)
Dr. Pablo Pérez has worked as R&D engineer of digital video products and services in Telefónica, Alcatel-Lucent and Nokia; as well as a researcher in future video technologies in Nokia Bell Labs. He is currently leading the scientific activities of Nokia XR Lab, addressing the end-to-end technological chain of the use of Extended Reality for human communication: networking, system architecture, processing algorithms, quality of experience and human-computer interaction. He is also Nokia delegate in ITU-T SG12 and member of the board of VQEG. Dr. Pérez is a Telecommunication Engineer (BSc+MSc, 2004) and PhD in Telecommunications (2013) from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain, and Nokia Distinguished Member of Technical Staff (2022).
April 23-25, 2025
In-person
Data Sciences Institute,
700 University Avenue,
Toronto, ON
