We worked with University College Dublin, Dr. Yurgos Politis and the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR)to research the effect of participatory design on the co-creation of a 3D environment.

More specifically, we researched and measured outcomes relating to the optimal balance between the involvement of end-users with autism spectrum disorders, researchers and software developers in the participatory design of educational material in VR.

One of the project outcomes was a research paper:
‘Empowering people with Autism through their involvement in the development of a Virtual World’
Advances in Autism, (Politis, Olivia & Olivia, 2019)
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/AIA-01-2019-0001/full/html

We found that co-creating with neurodiverse individuals helped increase their engagement with project materials. The participants also gained valuable work experience through working together with software developers and researchers.