International Society
for Presence Research

Author: Matthew Lombard

  • Call: Evolutions in Cinematic Virtual Reality Symposium

    Published:

    Call for Papers: Evolutions in Cinematic Virtual RealitySymposium at The University of Hong Kong eXtended Humanities LabMay 18-19, 2026https://call-for-papers.sas.upenn.edu/cfp/2026/02/02/evolutions-in-cinematic-virtual-reality Deadline for submission of abstracts: February 20, 2026 [Post on COMMLIST says February 15] Just over a decade ago, the arrival of consumer-grade VR head mounted devices (HMDs) enabled the development of a new form of linear storytelling in digital virtual reality. In industrial and academic settings, this new narrative medium has been referred to as Cinematic Virtual Reality (Dooley 2021; Mateer 2017; Ross and Munt 2018), a label that recognizes the adaptation of cinematic conventions and tropes within virtual spaces.…

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  • Theatre students use virtual reality to explore ancient performance spaces

    Published:

    [This story from Penn State Schuylkill provides another example of how an interdisciplinary team of experts, supported by their university, can use presence-evoking technology to enhance student experiences and learning outcomes. Follow the link in the story for more information. –Matthew] [Image: Penn State Schuylkill students, Noy Halimi and Jayden Blankenhorn using VR headsets in Theatre 105 class. Credit: Penn State.] Theatre students use virtual reality to explore ancient performance spaces February 3, 2026 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. — Students in Theatre 105 at Penn State Schuylkill are stepping into the past using modern technology, exploring ancient and historic performance spaces…

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  • Call: “Theatrum Machinarium” issue of the journal Technology and Language

    Published:

    Call for Papers: “Theatrum Machinarium” issue of the journal Technology and Languagehttps://soctech.spbstu.ru/en/news/theatrum_machinarium_dedlayn_5_oktyabrya_2026/[From a post to the PHILOSOP list] Deadline for submissions: October 5, 2026 The technologies of the theatre begin with the buildings themselves and how they organize the spectators’ orientation towards a performance. They go on with curtains and fly-systems, lighting and sound, with make-up and video projection, with fabrics and props. All of these disclose a space for action of a certain type, they organize perception and the creation of meaning. Theatre, in this sense, does not just operate with technologies but functions as a technology of its…

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  • Columbia U. engineers build a robot that learns to lip sync to speech and song

    Published:

    [A mismatch between the sound of a robot’s voice and the movements of its lips draws attention to the technology during an interaction, making a presence response impossible. Engineers at Columbia University are addressing the problem by having their robot EMO learn to move its lips by watching itself in a mirror and watching recordings of humans speaking and singing. As the lead researcher explained to the author of this story from Columbia Engineering, “human faces are the ultimate interface for communication, and we are beginning to unlock their secrets.” For more information, watch a 1:16 minute video of EMO…

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  • Call: Invisible Animation: International Conference on Animation and Comics

    Published:

    Call for Papers: International Conference on Animation and ComicsInk and Motion #3Theme: Invisible AnimationApril 8-10, 2026School of Arts of the Portuguese Catholic University, Portohttps://artes.porto.ucp.pt/en/art-center/conferences/ink-and-motion-3-international-conference-animation-and-comics/about Deadline for submission of abstracts: February 13, 2026 (extended) Ink and Motion – International Conference on Animation and Comics, intends to provide a common ground in which artists and academics can explore the intersectionalities between animation, comics and other forms of artistic expression (i.e. videogames, photography, live-action cinema, music etc.). The third edition of Ink and Motion – International Conference on Animation and Comics will take place from April 8 to 10, 2026, at School of…

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  • Cal State Long Beach researchers use CAVE VR system to study how humans operate air taxis

    Published:

    [Engineering, computer science and psychology professors and students at California State University, Long Beach are using a CAVE virtual environment to test how pilots respond to different design features of what someday are intended to be on-demand “urban air mobility vehicles” (UAMs), as reported in this story from the Long Beach Post. See the original version of the story for four more vivid images. More information about the BeachCAVE system is available from the university’s website. –Matthew] [Image: Professor Praveen Shankar, left, and Panadda Marayong watch as student Kieran Whitney runs a flight simulator at Cal State University Long Beach…

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  • Call: “Trust in AI vs Human Experts: Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Perspectives” for Discover Psychology

    Published:

    Call for Papers: Trust in Artificial Intelligence vs Human Experts: Cognitive, Social, and Emotional PerspectivesA collection for the journal Discover Psychologyhttps://link.springer.com/collections/iigdgbbdbg Editors: Dr. Dimitri Volchenkov, PhD, Texas Tech University, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, United States Dr. Ori Swed, PhD, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work at Texas Tech University, United States Deadline for submissions: March 1, 2026 As AI systems become increasingly embedded in high-stakes decision-making, from medical diagnoses to financial advice, understanding how people trust AI relative to human experts is crucial. Psychological research reveals mixed patterns. On one hand, many individuals exhibit algorithm aversion, showing reluctance…

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  • What it’s like to watch an NBA game courtside in Apple Vision Pro

    Published:

    [This spring six basketball games are being made available specifically for viewing with Apple Vision Pro spatial computing headsets. The experience of watching the first game is described in this story from 9to5Mac, other reports are available from CNET, ZDNet, Forbes and Stratechery. The only negative assessment is “Apple: You (Still) Don’t Understand the Vision Pro” from Stratechery, which includes this: “What is so frustrating is that the right approach is so obvious that I wrote about it the day you announced this device: one camera, with no production. Just let me sit courtside and watch an NBA game.…

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  • Call: IVA 2026 – ACM International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents

    Published:

    Call for Papers: 26th ACM International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA)Theme: Social Cognition for Human-AI CooperationCo-located with ACII 2026, the International Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent InteractionSeptember 7-11, 2026Puebla, Mexicohttps://iva.acm.org/2026/ Important Dates: Full Paper Abstract Submissions: 28 March 2026 Full Paper Submissions: 4 April 2026 Review Notification: 23 May 2026 Final Notification of Acceptance: 15 June 2026 Camera-ready Version: 7 July 2026 Conference: Sept 7-11, 2026 All deadlines are anywhere on earth (23:59 UTC−12). ABOUT THE CONFERENCE The ACM Annual Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA) is the premier international event to present and discuss the newest research…

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  • The ethics of immersion VR therapy

    Published:

    [The potential impacts of presence, especially in the context of health care, require a serious mindset and user-centric, policy-based practices. That’s the message in this essay from Healthcare Today, where the original version includes two more images. For more about the author, see a story in CIO Times. –Matthew] Comment: The ethics of immersion VR therapy Nargiz Noimann, founder of X-Technology, writes about the patient safety and liability gap in virtual reality therapy. By Nargiz NoimannJanuary 27, 2026 Immersive virtual reality (VR) therapy is entering care pathways faster than the governance around it. I do not say that to slow…

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  • Call: SMiD 2026: Media and Communication Research and Education in the Era of AI

    Published:

    Call for Papers: From Print to Promt: Media and Communication Research and Education in the Era of AISMiD 2026: 50 Years Anniversary Conference of the association for media and communication researchers in DenmarkMay 7-8, 2026Roskilde University, Denmarkhttps://www.foreningen-smid.dk/arsmodet-2026/ Deadline for submission of abstracts: February 28, 2026 Emerging forms of AI, in particular GenAI, are fundamentally reshaping contemporary media and communication research and educational practices. Recent estimates show that ChatGPT alone processes approx. 2.5 billion prompts daily, which shows the speed and scale at which such tools are currrently adopted in various contexts. AI developments do not only raise fundamental critical questions…

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  • Perrier‑Jouët transforms vacant stores into immersive window experiences

    Published:

    [This story from invidis (“the leading information portal for the Digital Signage industry in Europe”) describes two DOOH (Digital Out of Home) installations designed to evoke presence in passersby. See the original version of the story for three more photos and a 1:19 minute video (also available on Vimeo). –Matthew] [Image: Perrier Jouet Champagne DooH campaign in NYC. Credit: invidis] Immersive Window Experience in Vacant Stores New York City | The French Champagne house Perrier‑Jouët transforms vacant retail real estate into immersive holiday showcases. In collaboration with Publicis and immersive media specialist Visual Feeder, the brand converted two empty storefronts…

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