The Past and Future of Virtual World Psychological Research and Development

The Past and Future of Virtual World Psychological Research and Development

Second Life is underutilised as a platform for wide-ranging psychological research and community development projects. That statement was also true in 2003 when Linden Lab created the virtual world. Although other virtual world platforms may offer advantages for academic research and community impact projects, none are as robust and established as Second Life. In this presentation, I describe several funded research and development projects I have led in Second Life, including reflections on past pilot work using the platform for people with autism. I reflect on successes and ideas that were abandoned along the way and the different people I have encountered on my professional virtual journey. I  will also summarise some of the background published literature supporting a proposed research project with Science Circle, looking at communication styles in the virtual world. Questions, comments and challenges are encouraged.

By Dr. Simon Bignell, in SL Milton Broome                          

School of Psychology, University of Derby, UK