Our team

Damian is a leading researcher in Audio and Music Technology at the University of York, with his work on virtual acoustics, auralisation and audio signal processing placing him in over a hundred leading journals and conferences. His creative work has appeared in galleries and festivals of international reputation. He leads both XR Stories and XR Network+. [email protected]

Emma has operational oversight for the day-to-day running of XR Stories and XR Network+. Emma leads planning, and oversees that XR Stories meets defined goals on time and within budget. Emma has worked at the University for over a decade, and in her previous role supported academics to engage with industry, and to understand what external organisations need from academic research. She has supported the transfer of academics’ knowledge and research through spinning out, licencing, collaboration and networking. Emma has also worked with numerous academics to frame the benefits their research can bring and to figure out the best route to engage external organisations with this research.  [email protected]

John is Associate Director, Research, Development and Innovation at XR Stories and works closely with industry and academic partners to drive the growth and innovation of Yorkshire’s creative digital cluster. He has a deep experience of supporting creative digital innovation projects, leading over 100 R&D, research and creative projects in immersive technology since 2018, including projects with The Royal Shakespeare Company, Warner Bros Discovery, Sky, ITV and Science Museum Group. John is responsible for XR Stories and XR Network+ engagement with industry partners, helping to develop and deliver R&D projects, and customer-led product and business strategies.

Jamie is responsible for managing the scoping, planning and delivery of activations across the XR Stories immersive R&D lab. Jamie works on strategic activities at regional and national levels to support the ongoing work of XR Stories and the University of York. Jamie also maintains and generates collaborative links with businesses, freelancers, cultural organisations and researchers to support research, development and innovation in immersive technologies across academia and industry.

Anastasiia is responsible for the day-to-day running of the XR Stories immersive technology research and development lab, working closely with the XR Stories Creative Technician and Studio Manager. Anastasiia works with researchers, freelancers and businesses to support research, development and innovation in immersive technologies across academia and industry. Anastasiia also works with colleagues to maintain existing strong links between XR Stories, the University of York AudioLab and CoSTAR Live Lab at Production Park.

Joe is a Creative Technologist providing research support and expertise on state-of-the-art immersive technology in the XR Stories research and development lab in The Guildhall, York. Joe graduated from the University of York Music Technology BSc and PhD in Music Technology, investigating the implementation of spatial audio in video games. Joe joined the Audio Lab at the University of York as a PhD student to develop his research, including an award-winning investigation into the impact virtual reality could have on community singing and mental wellbeing. [email protected]

Jay is a Research Associate conducting data, evidence and policy research on and for sectors of the creative industries and digital economy where virtual production and related convergent technologies are having an impact. Jay holds a BSc in Creative Music Technology from Staffordshire University, an MSc in Audio Production from Salford University and a PhD in Electronic Engineering from the University of York. Jay has experience of producing and touring interactive sound installations and also works as a technician in the sports broadcasts industry.

In 2025, alongside completing the final year of her PhD, Rosario joined the The York Policy Engine Creative Industries policy research group, led by XR Stories, to provide support with data gathering and analysis, events and research activities. Rosario is currently exploring new avenues for the policy research group in collaboration with local government partners. Rosario also supports XR Stories and XR Network+ activities emerging from the Valuing Voices Research to Action project to advance team equity and inclusive research project design in the immersive technology industry.

Sophie is the Administration Manager for XR Stories, and for XR Network+. Applying skills and knowledge from six years of experience in University project support, Sophie's role at XR Stories is to create, manage and review administrative systems for recording and maintaining project data, and to manage expenditure in line with University and funding body policies. She enjoys providing admin support to project stakeholders and using cloud-based technology to implement administrative systems which facilitate collaborative working by the project teams.

Sue leads the planning, production and distribution of content for XR Stories and XR Network+. Sue works closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that communications align with project/campaign objectives, are tailored to the target audience, and consider the needs of collaborating institutions, departments, and industry partners. Sue has experience working across marketing, communications and events in the higher education and private sectors.

Emma is a proactive Project Manager working across XR Stories and XR Network+. Emma successfully led the operational delivery of the XR Stories Creative Media Labs project, and now manages the established immersive technology lab in the Guildhall, York. Emma is keen to encourage strong team support, and contribute to projects that are pivotal for screen storytelling experiences.