XR Stories researcher selected for SXSW 2023

XR Stories Research Fellow, Dr Anna Bramwell-Dicks, will lead a panel on ‘Disability Representation in Future Stories’ at the 2023 South by Southwest (SXSW) festival.

Taking place from 10 – 19 March 2023 in Austin, Texas, USA, SXSW brings together an international community of artists, professionals and academics, across interactive technology, film, music, education, and culture.

Drawing on her own research in accessibility and disability representation, Anna will explore the concept of responsible storytelling with panel participants; Dr Erin Pritchard, an internationally recognised expert in the experiences of people with dwarfism; Connor Scott-Gardner, a researcher and disability activist; and Deepa Mann-Kler, an XR (eXtended Reality) creator who uses co-design methods. 

Historically, the depiction of disabled people within all storytelling formats has been grounded in pervasive stereotypes. Research has shown that misconceptions about disabled people significantly contribute to reduced opportunities for jobs, unsafe housing, and unsatisfactory health care.

The panel will consider the impact of poor representation and what responsible, appropriate storytelling would mean for disabled people. Panel participants will also examine how the creative industries can be empowered to tell more appropriate stories about disabled people.

Register to attend the panel discussion. 

Published on 29 November 2022