The heritage sector is a fundamental part of the UK’s economy and culture, and the use of digital technology (such as Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality) has the potential to open up historical sites and museums beyond the barriers posed by language, culture, location, mobility and finance, and the restrictions imposed by conservation needs. However, to maximise the potential of this technology, we need to understand both audience responses and curatorial requirements.
In connection with a wider project into VR and AR in heritage, Royal Holloway, University of London [Alliance member] is exploring the potential of immersive technologies (VR and AR) for interactive storytelling in heritage sites and museums. They aim to bring the perspectives of heritage organisations together with those of technology companies to identify the specific benefits that immersive technologies can provide to diverse audiences.
As part of this research, it is running a survey to understand audience experiences and attitudes in this area and ask readers to promote this to get a broad understanding of public experiences and their perception of the value of VR and AR in heritage as possible. (And as a thank you there is a prize draw of twenty £25 Amazon vouchers!).
Royal Holloway, University of London is also interested in hearing from heritage organisations who would be willing to speak about this subject in more depth. If you would be interested in doing this please email Hannah.Platts@rhul.ac.uk.