Category: Talks

Invited again to teach the Masters in Robotics and Advanced Construction (MRAC) at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IaaC), Barcelona

Image taken from Albert: The Rock Paper Scissors Robotic Hand project I had the pleasure of being invited back to IaaC, Barcelona, to teach on the Masters in Robotics and Advanced Construction (MRAC) programme. The students were fantastic, as usual, and were not only able to come up with some really innovative projects, but also… Continue reading Invited again to teach the Masters in Robotics and Advanced Construction (MRAC) at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IaaC), Barcelona

Shortlisted for two categories at the Times Higher Education Awards Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Very excited and honoured to have been shortlisted in two different categories at the inaugural edition of the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It’s a big occasion for us to be shortlisted in such a large scale event, and motivates us to continue working on our… Continue reading Shortlisted for two categories at the Times Higher Education Awards Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Received the 2023 Innovation Award for Creating Impact on Global Challenges by Middlesex University Dubai

Image from the Graduation ceremony, by Middlesex University Dubai

Extremely humbled to receive the 2023 Innovation Award for creating impact on global challenges by Middlesex University Dubai! The award was given to me for the work that I’ve done through the VRX lab in the last year. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to work with such innovative technology and to be a part… Continue reading Received the 2023 Innovation Award for Creating Impact on Global Challenges by Middlesex University Dubai

VRx Lab Space officially opened at Middlesex University Dubai

Super proud moment as the VRX Lab space was officially opened by Rebecca Lawrence, Chair of the Middlesex University Dubai University Board of Directors; Professor Nic Beech, Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University; and Professor Carole-Anne Upton, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Global Innovation and Impact. Really excited about the new space, which I hope will lead to some impactful… Continue reading VRx Lab Space officially opened at Middlesex University Dubai

PhD Work with Robothespian now on Display at Espacio Fundación Telefónica, Madrid

Following on from the previous post, where my PhD work with the Robothespian was displayed at CCCB, Barcelona from July to December 2022, the exhibition titled Brain(s) (Cerebros in Spanish) has now moved to the Espacio Fundación Telefónica in Madrid. The exhibition explores humankind’s ongoing fascination with the brain and how history, art, science and… Continue reading PhD Work with Robothespian now on Display at Espacio Fundación Telefónica, Madrid

Overcoming Phobias with Virtual Reality: Featured in Wired Middle East

Illustration by GoodStudio (Wired)

I was recently interviewed for an article published by Wired Middle East magazine where we delved into the transformative power of virtual reality (VR) in conquering phobias. The feature highlighted the remarkable effectiveness of VR as a therapeutic tool, offering useful insights into its implementation and potential it holds for the future. Click here to… Continue reading Overcoming Phobias with Virtual Reality: Featured in Wired Middle East

PhD Work with Robothespian on Display at Centre of Contemporary Culture Barcelona

[First two images courtesy Mel Slater @melslater] Work that I carried out during my PhD at the EventLab is now on display as part of Brain(s), an exhibition at the Centre of Contemporary Culture Barcelona (CCCB). The exhibition explores humankind’s ongoing fascination with the brain and how history, art, science and philosophy have studied and… Continue reading PhD Work with Robothespian on Display at Centre of Contemporary Culture Barcelona

Featured in an article in The New Yorker – Are We Already Living in Virtual Reality

[Image courtesy of The New Yorker] Regardless of whatever else I do in my life, this is probably something I’m always going to be proud of. I was featured in an article published in the New Yorker, talking about virtual reality. I have a very small part, but the line is absolutely iconic. I had… Continue reading Featured in an article in The New Yorker – Are We Already Living in Virtual Reality

Research paper titled: ‘A Virtual Reality Embodiment Technique to Enhance Helping Behavior of Police Toward a Victim of Police Racial Aggression’ published in Presence

The research paper titled ‘A Virtual Reality Embodiment Technique to Enhance Helping Behavior of Police Toward a Victim of Police Racial Aggression’ published in Presence: Virtual and Augmented Reality. This project which started out in 2018, was carried out when I was part of Virtual Bodyworks, in collaboration with Jigsaw. The project used Virtual Reality… Continue reading Research paper titled: ‘A Virtual Reality Embodiment Technique to Enhance Helping Behavior of Police Toward a Victim of Police Racial Aggression’ published in Presence

Invited Again to Participate in panel discussion at GITEX 2024 (DWTC)

Happy to be back at GITEX 2024! Participated in a panel discussion talking about automation, supply chain, and the future. With 6,500+ companies participating and an audience of 180,000+, it was an honour to be invited. Automation, Robotics and the Future of Supply Chain When: Tuesday, 15 October 2023 at 2:30PM Where: Tech Talks Sessions,… Continue reading Invited Again to Participate in panel discussion at GITEX 2024 (DWTC)

Presented a tutorial at the 21st International Conference on Intelligent Environments (IE2024)

Dr. Nishtha Lamba and I were invited to present a tutorial at the 21st International Conference on Intelligent Environments (IE2024). Our proposal to present a 90-minute session on developing highly realistic doppelgänger avatars for use within research and content creation was accepted and was well attended during the conference, with in-person and online attendees joining… Continue reading Presented a tutorial at the 21st International Conference on Intelligent Environments (IE2024)

Presented at Middlesex University’s CAPE Education Summit 2031 Learning Framework

I was happy to present the research and teaching that is being done through the VRX Lab at the Middlesex Dubai campus as an example of fostering interdisciplinary pedagogy. The event was a cross-campus event held online, with various speakers from across three campuses sharing their experiences and expertise on working towards implementing the new… Continue reading Presented at Middlesex University’s CAPE Education Summit 2031 Learning Framework