XR Stories leads new project to unlock the potential of virtual production for the digital economy

On 8 February 2023, a kick-off event was held in Belfast to initiate proceedings for XR Network+ Virtual Production in the Digital Economy. 

XR Network+ is led by XR Stories at the University of York in collaboration with fellow Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Creative Industries Cluster Projects (CICP) at Ulster University, Cardiff University, the University of Edinburgh and University of the Arts London. 

The five-year project will combine world-class research with industry expertise to drive innovation in virtual production (VP) across the UK. XR Network+ members will work alongside project partners from across the UK academic, creative and industrial sectors to explore the vast potential that virtual production offers for production practices, content creation and audience experiences. 

At the event in Belfast, XR Stories and Creative Industries Cluster Partners from Ulster University held a workshop with industry members to explore the integration of virtual game worlds and physical content. Further workshops are planned with other partners.

Damian Murphy, Director of XR Stories, comments: “As VP technologies continue to emerge and disrupt established workflows, it is vital that we build a community of academic research and industry R&D at the convergence of these technologies to deliver impact and opportunity at regional and national levels.” 

Over the next five years, XR Network+ will release a series of grants, available to academics and researchers partnering with companies. The first of these funding opportunities are due to be released in spring 2023.

XR Network+ is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Find out more about XR Network+ and register to receive updates about the project.

Published on 8 February 2023