Neurodivergent participatory action research for Virtual Reality (VR)

Millington, E. , Hayashibara, E., Arthur, T., Husselman, T.-A., Savickaite, S. and Taylor, R. (2022) Neurodivergent participatory action research for Virtual Reality (VR). Journal of Enabling Technologies, 16(2), pp. 141-146. (doi: 10.1108/JET-05-2022-0037)

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to raise awareness of and argue for the use of participatory methods for the research and development of Virtual Reality (VR) applications designed for neurodivergent groups. This includes exploring why it is important to meaningfully include neurodivergent groups and the benefits their inclusion provide. Design/methodology/approach: VR is becoming increasingly widespread as a consumer product and interventional tool. It is vital for researchers and developers to embrace best practices in these early stages of using the technology, making certain that neurodivergent people have the best possible outcomes. Findings: The neurodivergent community is dissatisfied with many of the research directions currently being undertaken. This dissatisfaction arises from conflicting priorities between different stakeholders and the lack of input from the community. Participatory research brings neurodivergent people into the research process, whether as members of the research team or as consultants at key steps. Effective participatory research ensures that the priorities of the neurodivergent community are better incorporated in research, as well as enabling the development of more effective applications for VR. Originality/value: Participatory methods are unutilised in the development of applications aimed for neurodivergent people. By describing their use and utility in other areas, this article aims to encourage other VR researchers to take neurodivergent people on board.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding: This work was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Award No. 2238192, ES/P000681/1.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Taylor, Miss Rebecca and Savickaite, Ms Sarune and Husselman, Tammy-Ann and Hayashibara, Miss Emma and Millington, Elliot
• Authors: Millington, E., Hayashibara, E., Arthur, T., Husselman, T.-A., Savickaite, S., and Taylor, R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: Journal of Enabling Technologies
• Publisher: Emerald
• ISSN: 2398-6263
• ISSN (Online): 2398-6271
• Published Online: 02 August 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 2022 Emerald Publishing Limited
• First Published: First published in Journal of Enabling Technologies 16(2):141-146
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
303166		Scottish Graduate School Science Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)	Mary Beth Kneafsey	Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)	ES/P000681/1	SS - Academic & Student Administration