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What is your role and what does it involve?

I’m the lead for the SCCI Immersive Factual Storytelling MA Programme. I lead the storytelling parts of our course – helping students understand how to create compelling, factually-based stories that work in virtual reality. ÌýWe explore journalistic research and interview techniques, building story structure, thinking in 3D, and working with the students on their own ideas to hone them into ambitious immersive experiences. Ìý

It’s a very exciting time for extended reality (XR) - this encompasses new technologies like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) - and the playbook is still evolving. We hope our students can help shape its future by making impactful immersive work that demonstrates the medium’s potential. Ìý

We’re not beholden to the technology. It’s always the story that comes first but immersive offers different ways of telling those stories and to new audiences.Ìý

Tell us about theÌýjourney that led you to where you are now?

Mine is not a typical journey into academia. After a BSc in Music, I worked for nearly twenty years at the BBC as an onscreen journalist presenting stories about parliament and politics and as a producer of creative audio documentaries. I also did a stint at the Children’s section of the BBC, CBeebies.Ìý

After I left, I was drawn into virtual reality via my interest and practice in spatial audio. I worked again at the BBC, in VR this time, while alsoÌýmaking my own spatial installations with my company PastPorte, for cultural attractions likeÌýthe Tower of London, National Trust and many others. I’ve continued to do that alongside my ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº work, since joining the university in 2020. Ìý

What career achievements are you most proud of?

I have two (at least)! In terms of my own practice, my favourite and, I believe, most thought-provoking piece is a 4-minute light and sound installation at St Swithuns, an art centre in Worcester.

The two clock faces at either end of the venue, which used to be a church, showed a time difference of 4 minutes. We used that conceit to create a 4-minute show. Stepping into this contemplative space, visitors can regain those ‘lost’ 4 minutes or be gifted an ‘extra’ four minutes, experiencing an immersive show that invites them to reflect on life and existence.

At ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº, I’m most proud of our students’ achievements. ÌýAfter making some fabulous pieces during our programme, our alumni have gone on to work in many different areas of the immersive industry, including with VEER, Huawei, and China Mobile, and internships at Marshmallow Laser Feast and Anagram.

I’m also incredibly proud of my fantastic team, Chris Pettit Mee and Niall Hill, who bring games development, game engine expertise, neuroscience, writing, immersive directing, amongst many others – all of which enriches our students experience.

What are you most looking forward to in the next few months?

There are lots of exciting developments coming down the line for our MA. ÌýI’m not yet able to share details of some of them but we will be doing so very soon!

What are you reading, watching and listening to?

Reading:ÌýI’m enjoying a lot of story-based material at the moment, from low brow to high, factual and fiction.

Watching:ÌýI absolutely loved immersive audio drama Whisperer in the Darkness and The Escape Artist, part of The Essay season, both on BBC sounds. Ìý

Listening:ÌýPast Lives was one of my favourite feature films of the last few months. In virtual reality, I’m really enjoying Vadar Immortal and I regularly dip into a bit of Beat Saber.

What is your favourite museum, gallery or exhibition at the moment?Ìý

I loved Abba Voyage. It sparked lots of ideas for me and was a great example of how a small amount of well positioned, amazing tech, combined with some clever story telling, can really immerse an audience. Ìý

If you had one piece of advice for people who want to pursue a similar career path, what would it be?

Keep developing a curious, open mind and be ready to absorb and work with ideas from all directions. This industry is constantly shifting and being reinvented. If you can respond to that challenge you will be well placed. Ìý

Figure out what drives you – whether that be curiosity, creativity or something else – and let that be your guide. ÌýÌý
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Find out more about the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Immersive Factual Storytelling MA.