Dr Marco Gilardi

Accepting self-funded MRes, MPhil, and PhD candidates in the areas of:

• User Experience for XR
• XR applications to cultural heritage, education, industrial training, health, and wellbeing
• XR Design and Development
• XR Accessibility

To apply please contact me directly using the button below to agree on a project.

When fully funded studentships are available they will be published on Find A PhD, you can search my name or 'University of the West of Scotland' on that website. 

Please note that some studentship funds are restricted to UK students only.

My research interest is in Extended Reality (XR - Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality) and the developmet of software tools for XR applied to Education, Industrial Training and Heritage.

My background is in Mathematics and Computer Science and I have experience in 3D reconstructions from photographs and physically based simulations for Computer Games.

 My area of research expertise is in Extended Realities (XR) a branch of Spatial Computing. In particular I am interested in two topics (1) the development of tools that will make applications of XR technolgoies easier and more accessible to non technical audiences, (2) the design and protoryping of the user experience for XR. 

 My research currently focuses on two aspects of XR: applications of XR to cultural heritage and UX design approaches to XR experiences. 

In the past I worked on projects related to trainee assessment in industrial training using Virtual Reality (VR) and on the effects of using VR as a delivery platform for distance learning with an eye on accessibility.

I also collaborate with industry through KTP, Accellerated Knowledge Transfers, Advanced and Standard Innovation Vouchers.

The goal of my research is to understand the effects XR technologies applications to higher education, industry, and the heritage sector trough collaboration with such industries. 

Developing effective innovative solutions and immersive interfaces that explore new ways of remote working and online presence using virtual, augmented, or mixed reality. 

I am happy to collaborate with any organization that is interested in applying XR technologies to their business, including adoption of the technology and development of the technical infrastrucutre. 

I am also happy to discuss academic partnerships and collaborations with other Universities interested in applying for grant funding in the XR subject.

I currently teach in the Compuret Games Development programme at different levels. Namely I teach:

Applied Maths for Games and User Research: In this module an applied approach to Mathematics is used to teach students Linear Algebra and basic Statistics concepts used in game development;

Game Engines 1 and 2: In these modules students learn how to use a game engine to develop a game from the groud up.

Game User Research: In this module students are introduced to research methods and methodologies used in the game industry to ensure that the games produced are well recieved and meet the quality expectations from players.

Immersive Experiences Design and Immersive Experiences Implementation: In these related modules students learn how to design and implement and immerisve experience using XR. Going from acquiring the brief from a client to developing the idea and the design, through prototyping cycles and final implementation until the final release of the experience.