(Photograph courtesy of Cybera, and used with permission.)

The world's first conference held entirely in virtual reality?

That's exactly what Lethbridge College, in Alberta, Canada, has created.

In spring, 2018, Lethbridge hosted its inaugural version of "Merging Realities".  This is a free, day-long academic conference, focusing on virtual and augmented reality.

The highly-successful conference has now become an annual event.   After another, equally-popular edition this spring, plans are in the works for Merging Realities 2020.

And Merging Realities is just one aspect of an exciting new direction.  Lethbridge College has just begun offering a one-year Virtual and Augmented Reality Program.  They also have plans, in the future, for more extensive academic programs, according to School of Media and Design Chair Kris Hodgson-Bright.

(Photograph courtesy of Cybera, and used with permission.)

Kris talked about the process of creating Merging Realities, offered a preview of the upcoming 2020 conference and shared his vision for Lethbridge's future curriculum in VR and AR.
On this edition of Over Coffee®, you will hear:


How Kris first became aware of VR as a journalistic and educational medium;


What was involved in the creative process behind the Merging Realities conference;


The figures on worldwide engagement for the first conference;


One of Kris's favorite memories from the inaugural event;


Some of the resources he recommends, for creating a virtual-reality conference;


Some of the best lessons Kris and the staff learned, which they're currently using while creating the 2020 conference;


A projected date for the next conference;


A "sneak preview" of what may be happening during Merging Realities 2020;


More about the brand-new Certificate Program Lethbridge College is launching, in virtual and augmented reality;


Where to find out more about both the certificate program, and the upcoming Merging Realities conference;


What attendees of the 2020 conference will experience;


The etiquette of attending a completely-in-VR conference!;


How Lethbridge College is dealing with some of the concerns attached to VR--safety, eyestrain, possible dizziness--as they plan the conference;


Future plans for both the conference and Lethbridge's VR and AR curriculum.