{"id":17907,"date":"2026-05-19T09:22:33","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T00:22:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.icrr.u-tokyo.ac.jp\/?post_type=event_researcher&#038;p=17907"},"modified":"2026-05-22T10:42:51","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T01:42:51","slug":"measuring-engagement-in-virtual-reality-for-big-science-from-engage-taxonomy-to-cosmic-ray-education-with-picapica-alexandra-i-cristea-durham-university","status":"publish","type":"event_researcher","link":"https:\/\/www.icrr.u-tokyo.ac.jp\/en\/event_researcher\/17907\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cMeasuring Engagement in Virtual Reality for Big Science: From ENGAGE Taxonomy to Cosmic Ray Education with PICAPICA\u201d\/ Alexandra I. Cristea\u00a0(Durham University)"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Number<\/td>\r\n<td>R8-4\/ \u00a0IPMU\/ILANCE\/ICRR joint seminar<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Date&amp;time<\/td>\r\n<td>Fri. May 29, 2026, 16:00 &#8211;<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Place<\/td>\r\n<td>ICRR 6F Large seminar room\u00a0<br \/>Zoom:<a href=\"https:\/\/u-tokyo-ac-jp.zoom.us\/j\/82550942426?pwd=pOPeHpuxr0cukf9Eti6hqcX4R5lRVT.1\">https:\/\/u-tokyo-ac-jp.zoom.us\/j\/82550942426?pwd=pOPeHpuxr0cukf9Eti6hqcX4R5lRVT.1<\/a>\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Speaker<\/td>\r\n<td><span>Alexandra I. Cristea <\/span><span>(<\/span><span>Durham University<\/span><span>)<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Title<\/td>\r\n<td>\u201c<span>Measuring Engagement in Virtual Reality for Big Science: From ENGAGE Taxonomy to Cosmic Ray Education with PICAPICA<\/span>\u201d<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Abstract<\/td>\r\n<td>Large-scale scientific domains such as cosmic ray and space radiation research\u2014often referred to as \u201cBig Science\u201d\u2014face a growing need to communicate complex concepts to broader audiences, including students, educators, and the general public. Virtual Reality (VR) offers a promising medium for this type of dissemination and education. Importantly for space-related research, it enables immersive and interactive exploration of otherwise inaccessible phenomena. However, a key challenge remains: how can we ensure that such experiences are genuinely engaging in a measurable way \u2013 not only benefitting from the novelty effect to engage at first glance, but able to sustain meaningful motivation and learning over time?<br \/>This talk introduces the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s11257-023-09374-x\">ENGAGE taxonomy<\/a>, a framework for measuring and analysing learner engagement grounded in several established psychological theories, with particular focus on the Self-Determination Theory (SDT). The taxonomy operationalises core dimensions of motivation\u2014Autonomy, Relatedness, and Competence\u2014through observable behavioural indicators, originally validated in large-scale online learning environments. These indicators provide actionable metrics for identifying engaged and disengaged learning behaviours.<br \/>Building on this foundation, the talk further explores how the ENGAGE taxonomy can be applied to immersive VR environments designed for Big Science education. Using insights from the Royal Society-funded \u201cFrom the Classroom to the Cosmos\u201d PICAPICA follow-up project, developed in collaboration with Prof. Mizue Kayama (Shinshu University) and further team members from Tokyo University, Institute of Technologists and Durham University, we examine how a VR-based, STEAM-oriented platform\u2014originally designed around block-based programming and a digital twin approach\u2014can inform the design of learning experiences for domains such as cosmic ray research.<br \/>The talk aims to lead to a framework for integrating VR, engagement analytics, and scientific dissemination, offering practical insights for researchers seeking to extend the reach, educational and societal impact of their work.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","tag_year":[],"class_list":["post-17907","event_researcher","type-event_researcher","status-publish","hentry","en-US"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icrr.u-tokyo.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event_researcher\/17907","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icrr.u-tokyo.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event_researcher"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icrr.u-tokyo.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/event_researcher"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icrr.u-tokyo.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17907"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"tag_year","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icrr.u-tokyo.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tag_year?post=17907"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}