XR Stories helps researchers at the University of York to accelerate their research outputs and connect to industry and other audiences.
To date, we’ve helped to deliver more than 70 research projects and embedded multiple masters and PhD projects with industry partners.
We bring new perspectives to the development and use of XR and creative technologies within aligned research projects and provide state-of-the-art infrastructure for researchers to experiment and explore.
R&D expertise and facilities support
The XR Stories team provides advice, expertise and facilities to help accelerate existing research projects and connect University of York researchers to the XR Stories’ creative and cultural network.
The XR Stories immersive research and development lab is designed as a place of creative experimentation and collaboration. The lab facility features a flexible virtual production test stage and a suite of cutting edge equipment and technology spanning performance capture, spatial audio, virtual reality, and game development.
In 2025, we ran the first XR Stories residency programme for University of York researchers.
Subscribe to our communications to receive updates about future researcher residency programmes and news about other XR Stories’ activities and opportunities.
If you are a researcher at the University of York and you would like to enquire about access to XR Stories’ expertise or infrastructure to support an existing project, please complete the XR Stories general support enquiries form.
Talks and events
XR Stories’ talks and events provide insights into the creative industries, academic research and the application of immersive technologies. Visit our events page for information about upcoming events.
XR Network+
In addition to our other support and service offers, XR Stories also leads the XR Network+ project.
XR Network+ Virtual Production in the Digital Economy (XR Network+) provides funding and support to researchers working in virtual production technologies. Through a network of partners, the project is setting a ten-year research agenda for virtual production (VP), supporting growth, and facilitating collaboration between academia and industry on a national stage.
XR Network+ is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and conducted in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, University of the Arts London, Cardiff University and Ulster University.
Running from 2022 to 2027, to date XR Network has:
- Supported 23 research and development collaborations and an industry-led challenge with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
- Curated a UK-wide XR Network+ roadshow with events at ten creative technology R&D facilities to bring together researchers and businesses working across VP to share insights and provide updates on opportunities for funding and collaboration.
- Presented at leading Creative Industry events (SXSW London; Beyond) bringing together researchers, practitioners and industry to gather data and insights
The current phase of XR Network+ (as of February 2026) is supporting another eight R&D collaborations that are focused on new technology development and prototyping in UK universities.
Visit the XR Network+ website to find out more about the project.