Our research
We work at the forefront of immersive media and digital design.
Special interest groups
AI
The AUT VCDRC AI research group explores AI as a creative, cultural and critical medium, examining its impact on design and media through ethical, collaborative, interdisciplinary practice that foregrounds human–machine co‑creation and critical responsibility.
Animation
The AUT VCDRC animation research group advances animation as creative practice and research, exploring traditional to real‑time forms through practice‑led, interdisciplinary work that treats movement, performance, and design as knowledge mediating physical and virtual worlds.
Immersive environments
The AUT VCDRC immersive environments research group explores immersive media as creative and critical practice, investigating XR and real‑time systems through ethical, practice‑led research that examines perception, embodiment, spatial authorship and human experience.
Research projects
Extending Virtual Production 2025
The Extending Virtual Production project was a faculty-funded initiative within AUT’s Design and Creative Technologies faculty in 2025, aimed at pushing the capabilities and creative potential of the university’s state-of-the-art Virtual Production Studio.
Designing with Generative AI
This paper reflects on some developing pedagogical approaches for introducing technical, ethical and critical engagement with generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in interaction design (IxD) education.
Portals/Traces
Portals/Traces establishes a shared digital infrastructure linking AUT with partner institutions in the UK, Europe, Asia, and the Americas to enable tangible and haptic knowledge exchange.
The Life Cycle of an Idea
The project explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping creative practice, asking how ideas are formed, developed and shared, and how creative roles, authorship and collaboration are changing in response.
Integrated Design Practice
A reflection on combining Animation, Visual Effects & Game Design for first year undergraduate students