Welcome to the first Creative Technologies seminar of the year! The seminar is themed New Forms of Social Interaction. Professor Giulio Jacucci from the University of Helsinki, will present on the topic of affective VR. The second speaker, Assistant Professor Robin Welsch from Aalto University, will address the question of what makes mixed reality social.

Time: Thursday 2.2.2023 | 14.00–16.00 
Place:Hybrid Stage, Harald Herlin Learning Centre & Online 

Creative Technologies seminars are hybrid events with onsite and online audiences. The online audience can participate in the Q&A via the chat on the stream page. The live stream and chat will be published on this page. 

Event schedule

14.00
Opening words

14.05
Towards affective VR
Giulio Jacucci, Professor at the Department of Computer Science, University of Helsinki

Abstract: Emerging use of social VR demonstrate how affective interaction is key as, for example, harassment is more prevalent than in social media. More over VR is an opportunity to create engaging and immersive applications for positive uses including new modalities and the use of physiological computing. The talk will report of recent research in investigating how haptics can contribute to affective interaction in VR. Research explores the use of physiology to research emotional responses of users and also to create neuroadaptive and biofeedback systems for mental wellbeing.

14.30
What makes mixed reality social?
Robin Welsch, Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science, Aalto University

Abstract: In this talk, we will approach the social capabilities of mixed reality technology from a psychological perspective. Mixed reality allows us to digitize social spaces and connect with people across space and time. I argue that social mixed reality is so popular, i.e., Metaverse, because of its capabilities to render nonverbal behavior.  My research shows that personal space maintained towards virtual people is as relevant as it is in the physical world, that social cues affect personal space, and that personality traits like psychopathy can predict violations of personal space in virtual environments. This has direct implications for designing mixed reality experiences that allow for enriching and safe social interactions.

14:55
Panel discussion

15.25
Closing words

15.30
End of online event
Refreshments & networking onsite