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Immersive Futures

Test. Trial. Realise.

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About

Immersive Futures is an initiative by Multimedia, Audio-Visual & Immersive (MAVI, UNSW IT) that connects academics, professional staff and industry to explore how new tech meets andragogy, workplace practice and the support UNSW provides.

The Immersive Futures Studio is a test and trial space that ensures new technologies are assessed before being scaled into operational, sustainable, university-ready solutions. 
Illustration of a person interacting with technology

Illustration of a VR demo in the IFS

Illustration of a person gesturing to a lectern design

Illustration of a camera demonstration

Illustration of a few people interacting with a lectern

Illustration of a man reaching for a charger

Illustration of a person using an Apple Vision Pro

Explore, prototype and workshop

Hands-on evaluation of next-gen audio visual technology, extended reality, spatial computing, control systems, displays, acoustics, video capture and human-centred lighting. The aim is to be anchored in learning, teaching and workplace needs.

Standardise and scale

Immersive Futures acts as a partner to scale technology solutions across campus. Whether it's by providing reference designs or support models to project teams, or by formalising the technology product in the Certified Technology Product Service, ensuring procurement pathways for campus-wide adoption.

Build digital acumen

The IFS provides students and staff with hands-on access to emerging technologies, allowing them to experiment in safe, low-risk environments. Through demonstrations, collaborative trialling and problem-focused proof of concepts, participants learn by questioning, testing and doing.

How it operates

Immersive Futures underpins MAVI’s innovation portfolio and partners with other innovation portfolios across the University along with operational teams including PVCE Learning Environments and Estate Management to advance audiovisual, multimedia and immersive capabilities across UNSW. It operates through a collective engagement model, leveraging existing governance structures within UNSW (innovation pathways, PVCE and IT) to:

  • be across the range of projects and requests that are submitted through the innovation pathways 

  • provide specialist advice or support and link relevant projects together

  • ensure hardware technologies are not only innovative but also pedagogically relevant for educators and students

  • connect with the UNSW IT ecosystem on rollout of tested AV

  • progress Proof of Concepts to pilot and support integration.

Immersive Futures Working Group

The Immersive Futures working group plays a key role in testing and trialling new technologies. The group includes representatives across MAVI, PVCE, IT Innovation, Estate Management and faculties and meet fortnightly to:

  • Research and analyse recurring AV opportunities at UNSW
  • Suggest and assess new technologies, explaining their potential impact and use cases
  • Provide insights into AV technologies being implemented internally and externally
  • Propose and partake in proof of concepts (PoCs) to test innovative solutions
  • Advise on strategic recommendations for AV technology in specialist and informal teaching and learning spaces and workplace environments.

Industry & external engagement

Immersive Futures regularly organises hands-on workshops and live demos to stay at the forefront of emerging technologies, thanks to the support of our industry partners.

 

Connect

Please reach out the team by emailing the ifs@unsw.edu.au.