Researcher with a VR headset using the Immersive Audio and Spatial Psychoacoustics lab

CMIC's Research

Immersive Audio and Spatial Psychoacoustics

The Applied Psychoacoustics Lab (APL) of the Centre brings world-leading expertise in immersive audio, spatial sound reproduction, virtual acoustics and psychoacoustics. This research supports the development of realistic, interactive and perceptually informed audio experiences for XR and other immersive platforms.

APL also develops cutting-edge immersive audio software, including the acclaimed audio renderer VIRTUOSO and VIRTUOSO XR, translating fundamental psychoacoustic research into practical technologies for creators, consumers, researchers, and industry partners. 

A researcher in the Immersive Audio and Spatial Psychoacoustics lab

Extended Reality, Games and Visual Computing

CMIC’s award-winning Canalside Studios develops and evaluates XR systems that support natural, embodied and context-aware interaction. By integrating game technologies, real-time visual computing and interactive 3D design, our work creates engaging immersive environments for applications in creative technologies, education, health, simulation, training, digital heritage and public engagement. 

Industry standard hardware, Canalside Studios

Human-Centred User Interface Design

CMIC investigates and develops user interfaces for digital creativity that are intuitive, accessible and aligned with human needs. Our work adopts a human-centred approach, involving target users from the outset of the design process to explore how people interact with digital systems through natural movement, gesture, touch, sound, vision and context-aware feedback.

By combining usability research, user experience evaluation and multisensory interaction design, we aim to create interfaces that are not only technically efficient and effective, but also meaningful.  

Student coding on a laptop

Health, Wellbeing, Education and Creative Technologies

CMIC applies multisensory immersive computing to real-world challenges in health, wellbeing, education, training, and the creative industries. By combining technical innovation with rigorous user research, we aim to create technologies with meaningful societal and economic impact.

We are collaborating with health and wellbeing researchers at the Centre for Equity in Mental Health, the Centre for Cultural Ecologies in Art, Design and Architecture, and the National Health Innovation Campus.

Researcher with a VR headset using the Immersive Audio and Spatial Psychoacoustics lab