Conclusions
The Psychology of Embodiment and Agency
· How do different types of embodied interaction (physical movement, haptic feedback, etc.) influence the participant's sense of presence and agency within HI?
· Can HI be designed to induce specific emotional states or shifts in self-perception?
· What are the long-term psychological effects of exposure to HI with varying levels of agency and sensory intensity?
Potential Methodologies: Experimental studies comparing different HI modalities, psychological questionnaires, qualitative interviews, potentially physiological measures (heart rate, galvanic skin response).
Accessibility, and Universal Design
· How can HI be made more usable by individuals with disabilities, sensory sensitivities, or neurological differences?
· What adaptive technologies could enable wider participation in HI?
· Can the principles of Universal Design be successfully applied within the context of HI to create experiences that are inherently accessible?
Potential Methodologies: Participatory design workshops with individuals from diverse backgrounds, usability testing, iterative design processes informed by accessibility experts.
Narrative Structures
· How do traditional concepts of plot, character, and conflict function in HI where the participant has significant agency?
· What new narrative patterns or structures emerge organically from participant-driven HI?
· Can AI-powered systems be used to create dynamic narratives that respond to participant choices in real-time while maintaining thematic coherence?
Potential Methodologies: Textual analysis of emergent narratives documented from HI, interviews with HI designers, computational analysis of narrative patterns.
Gaps in Current Understanding
Longitudinal Studies: Minimal research exists on the long-term social, psychological, and cultural impacts of frequent engagement with HI.
Global Perspectives: Much analysis focuses on HI emerging in Western Europe and North America. Greater emphasis on understanding diverse approaches and the ethical implications of HI in different cultural contexts is needed.
Economic and Business Models: Research on sustainable business models for HI creators, distribution platforms, and how to balance artistic innovation with financial viability.
Partnerships and Funding Sources
Interdisciplinary Grant Programs: Identify government agencies, foundations, or research institutes that specifically fund interdisciplinary research projects at the intersection of art, technology, and the social sciences.
Industry Collaborations: Explore potential partnerships between academic researchers and technology companies or HI studios to leverage resources and expertise.
Arts and Humanities Funding: Emphasise that HI, as a new artistic medium, deserve support from traditional arts granting bodies.
Crowdfunding Platforms: Discuss how independent HI creators might utilise crowdfunding to support smaller-scale projects and experimental research.
The Neuroaesthetics of Immersion: Research projects combining neuroscience, art, and cognitive psychology to investigate how the brain processes HI. This could involve studies using EEG or fMRI to measure brain activity during immersive experiences (Chatterjee & Vartanian, 2014).
HI for Social Impact: Collaborations between artists, technologists, and social scientists to design and evaluate HI that address complex social issues like empathy building, conflict resolution, or historical awareness. Examples include projects like Chris Milk's immersive VR films exploring the lives of refugees (Milk, 2015).
Performance Studies and HI Design: Researchers analysing the performative elements within HI, using theories of embodied interaction and audience participation to inform the design of future experiences (Schechner, 2013).
Potential Cross-Disciplinary Research Questions
Psychology and Art: How do different levels and types of participant agency in HI impact emotional engagement, memory formation, and the sense of artistic authorship?
HCI and Accessibility: Can insights from human-computer interaction research lead to the development of HI that is more usable by users with diverse cognitive styles, physical abilities, or sensory processing differences?
Sociology and HI in Public Spaces: What are the social dynamics that emerge in location-based HI or multiplayer experiences? How can HI foster positive community interactions or raise awareness of urban issues?
Challenges and Strategies for Interdisciplinary Work
Differing Terminology and Methodologies Discuss the need for cross-disciplinary teams to establish common vocabulary and find ways to bridge diverse research methods (Barry, Born, & Weszkalnys, 2008).
Funding Structures: Explore how traditional funding models, often siloed by discipline, might pose challenges for interdisciplinary research proposals focused on HI.
Institutional Support: Address the need for universities and research institutes to foster spaces and initiatives that encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration in the emerging field of HI.
Practical Insights for Researchers
Networking Opportunities: Highlight conferences, workshops, or online platforms that specifically bring together researchers and practitioners from different fields interested in HI.
‘Translation’ Skills: Emphasise the importance of researchers being able to communicate their work effectively to those outside their disciplines and developing a shared understanding of the project's goals.
Case Studies of Success and Failure: Analyse both successful and less successful interdisciplinary HI projects to identify factors that contribute to effective collaboration or hinder progress.
An Evolving Landscape
The field of Hyper Immersivity is dynamic and rapidly evolving. New technologies, artistic approaches, and unexpected applications will continue to emerge. By prioritising artistic intent, ethical responsibility, and a willingness to venture into uncharted territories, we can shape the evolution of HI into a transformative artistic medium that enriches the human experience, fosters empathy, and encourages us to reimagine our relationship with both the real and the simulated worlds we inhabit.