For award-winning AR/VR expert Alan Price, extended reality is an artist’s tool.

It’s also a highly practical means of problem solving, in today’s society.

As Director of the Center for Immersive Media at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Alan enjoys watching students’ excitement as they discover the ways immersive media can help them explore their creativity while developing applications that have the potential to change the world.

Among Alan’s current projects is his work in partnership with Thomas Jefferson University doctors. Using virtual reality, they’re recreating an emergency room environment. The goals: to develop new best practices while reducing physician burnout.

Alan, who has received an International Muse Award for his work in incorporating technology into museum exhibits, is also currently partnering with Access Now to increase museum accessibility for visitors with disabilities–specifically, visual impairment.

Alan talked about his background as a filmmaker, offered a closer look at his current immersive-media projects and previewed some upcoming events at the Center for Immersive Media.

• How Alan first became interested in filmmaking;
  

• His recollections of incorporating digital technology into his work;
  

• How he began working in extended reality;
  

• A closer look at two major virtual-reality simulation projects he’s creating;
  

• The story of the Center for Immersive Media;
  

• What’s coming up next, at the CIM;
  

• Alan’s work with Access Now;
  

• A “mini-lesson” on creating an engaging interactive experience with XR;
  

• The new technologies which Alan finds especially exciting for creating new visual experiences.