Project Lead
The project as a whole is directed by Professor Andrew Hugill, whose research interests include music and sensory interactions.VR Experience
The VR experience was created by MBD Ltd, directed by Paul Long. MBD specialise in bringing stories to life using a blend of art and technology to create emotive VR stories from the past and the present.
Consultants
The consultants were internationally recognised expert on Vauxhall Gardens David Coke and the historian Lars Tharp.
University of Leicester
The University of Leicester partners include the Biomechanics & Immersive Technology Laboratory, the Centre for Urban History, the Leicester Institute of Advanced Studies and the Attenborough Arts Centre. The teams include staff from the departments of Business, Engineering, English, History, Informatics, Museum Studies, Psychology. The team is divided into sub-teams, as follows:
History/Literature team
- Professor Roey Sweet
- Dr Kate Loveman
- Dr Stephanie Bowry
- Dr Giasemi Vavoula
Their combined expertise in 18th Century urban history, 18th Century literature, historical gardens and digital media in heritage, makes them ideally suited to develop the storyboard and historical aspects of the project.
Design team
- Professor Andrew Hugill
- Dr Michaela Butter
- Dr Jeremy Webster
Michaela and Jeremy represent the Attenborough Arts Centre, who will host the launch of the Rotunda model. They also advise on the overall design of the model. Andrew is concerned with the multi-sensory aspects of the design.
VR team
- Dr Mateusz Bocian
- Artur Soczawa-Stronczyck
- Dr Timothy Pearce
- Dr Avinash Bhangaokar
- Professor Hongji Yang
Mateusz and Artur are building the rotunda structure in the Biomechanics and Immersive Technology Lab. Tim and Avi are working on the smell delivery system. Hongji is creating usability controls.
User Experience team
- Dr Doug Barrett
- Dr David Souto
- Dr Robin Green
- Dr Giasemi Vavoula
- William Darler
This team investigates the user experience from a number of angles. Doug, David and Robin are psychologists, looking at people’s responses in virtual environments. Giasemi and William approach user experience from a museum industry perspective.