Between Digital and Physical Worlds: Artists Reimaging Reality

Description

Step into the world of immersive arts – where creativity meets cutting-edge technology and audiences are part of the action. This inspiring evening will explore how art is being reimaged in bold, interactive ways, whilst making art more inclusive and accessible.

Join a lively panel discussion with artists. You’ll get to hear how projects are made, what they mean, and why they matter.

The evening will finish with an open audience Q&A and post-event networking over refreshments. Perfect for anyone curious about the future of the arts, whether you’re an artist, tech enthusiast, or simply looking for something different to do in Bristol.

Being Human Festival

This event is part of the Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 6-15 November 2025. Led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, with generous support from Research England, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. For further information please see beinghumanfestival.org.

About Verity

Verity McIntosh is Director and Principal Investigator of Immersive Arts, a £6m UK-wide programme of research, training, funding and events, supporting over 200 artists to engage with immersive technologies. Funding for Immersive Arts is provided through a collaboration between the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Arts Council England (ACE), the Arts Council of Wales (ACW), Creative Scotland and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI).

Verity is Associate Professor of Virtual and Extended Realities at the University of the West of England where she founded one of Europe's first dedicated XR masters programmes. Through her research she works collaboratively with creative practitioners, companies, communities, policymakers and governments around the world. Her work has been discussed in the UK’s House of Commons and House of Lords, EU Parliament, Council of Europe and in multiple print and media contexts. Current research interests include inclusive and accessible experience design in XR, the ethics of virtual presence, and the role of human rights in multi-person, spatial computing paradigms. 

About BDAS

The Bristol Distinguished Address Series (BDAS) is brought to you by UWE Bristol, and provides an opportunity to hear unique perspectives and insights from change makers, activists, entrepreneurs, and people who have achieved amazing things in Bristol and beyond.

Programme

18:00 Arrival and registration in Foyer.

18:30 Event starts in Cinema 1 / livestream begins.

19:30 Q&A.

19:45 Event ends / livestream ends.

19:45-21:00 Networking and drinks.

Accessibility

UWE Bristol welcomes all abilities/disabilities, ages, ethnicities, and genders to our events. If you have any questions, concerns or additional requirements then please let us know, by contacting events@uwe.ac.uk, so that we can make your time at this event as comfortable as possible.

Venue information

Disabled parking: No

Step-free access: Yes

Accessible toilets: Yes

Assisted Listening: Yes

Guide/assistance dog-friendly: Yes

Quiet spaces available: Yes