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Center for Transformative Media

Eileen McGivney is an assistant professor in the College of Arts, Media and Design, holding a primary appointment in Art + Design and a secondary appointment in Communication Studies.

She holds a Ph.D. in Education from Harvard University, specializing in immersive technology-enabled environments, particularly virtual reality (VR), and their impact on learning, identity development, and motivation among diverse learners. Most recently, her online XR Speaker Series has invited VR and AR innovators to weigh in on updates and developments in the industry.

This interview is the first of the CTM’s Scholar Spotlight series. Communication Research Assistant CTM had the privilege of speaking with Eileen to learn more about her exciting work.

 

Center for Transformative Media: What inspired you to get involved with the Center for Transformative Media? And what do you hope to achieve through your involvement?

Eileen McGivney: I’ve always been passionate about using technology to improve lives, particularly in education. The Center for Transformative Media is such a great fit because it critically explores the social impacts of technology—its positive effects as well as the need for caution. I’m excited to be part of a community that shares these concerns and questions, especially as they relate to technology’s role in shaping the future.

CTM: That sounds fantastic! And, how has your involvement with the Center evolved since you joined?

McGivney: I’ve been at Northeastern since fall 2023, so this is my second year. When Adriana took charge of the Center, I attended a strategy meeting where I had the chance to meet new scholars. I’m also looking forward to participating in a panel and continuing to find ways to engage with the Center’s vibrant community.

CTM: That’s really great to hear. Could you tell us about some of the research projects you’re currently working on?

McGivney: Absolutely. One project I’m particularly excited about is a new NSF grant that I’m working on with Casper Harteveld, Erica Kleinman, and Seth Cooper. We’re studying how people solve problems in virtual escape rooms and how AI can help deepen their learning experiences. A challenge in VR learning environments is that they can be overstimulating, making it difficult for learners to process and retain information. We hope to use AI to help learners engage in metacognitive reflection, improving their educational outcomes.

I’m also involved in a TIER 1 project in collaboration with the Bouvé College of Health Sciences. With Leanne Chukoskie, Heidi Cheerman, and Ph.D. student Tommy Zhu, we’re developing a VR application to help healthcare students practice communicating with patients in difficult situations. The VR simulation allows students to interact with AI-generated patients, which can be tailored to present different emotional states or literacy levels. This project provides invaluable hands-on practice for students to hone their communication skills.

Another project in its early stages involves building a VR field trip for high school science students, allowing them to explore physics through automotive engineering and crash testing. We’re working closely with teachers to ensure the simulation meets their needs, allowing students to connect theoretical knowledge to real-world applications.

CTM: It sounds like you’re juggling several exciting projects. Have you faced any challenges along the way?

McGivney: Oh, there are always challenges with these research projects! One major hurdle is the rapid evolution of technology. It’s tough to keep up, especially when it comes to emerging tools like VR. In the past, I mostly worked with existing VR technologies, but now we’re developing new experiences from the ground up. Finding students with the necessary technical skills has been an exciting challenge. Collaborating with experts who are skilled in VR development programs like Unity and Unreal Engine has been key to overcoming this. It’s a challenging but rewarding process, and I believe the results will be well worth it.

CTM: Here at the Center, we try to keep our finger on the pulse of what’s going on in the world. So, is there any recent U.S. or world news that you have been thinking about related to your research?

McGivney: Yes, there’s so much happening right now that makes me nervous and worried, and I hope my work can help address this. But one thing that comes to mind is.

I have been following the latest changes in the technology industry, especially how big tech companies are adjusting their strategies and political connections.

For example, Meta’s removal of the content or misinformation moderation tools that they had been deploying feels like a move to placate conservatives and the Trump administration. I think it’s not a good decision to steer the tech industry in a way that is so politically motivated.

Also, I am concerned about the influence of big companies like Meta in the virtual reality space. They have a lot of control over the market, which makes it harder for smaller companies to compete. My research focuses on expanding access to immersive technologies, especially in education. I want to help students and teachers learn how to create XR technologies themselves.

Even if we sometimes have to use Meta’s hardware because it is affordable and available, I want to see a wider range of people creating experiences. If more people can join, it could lead to a new industry. This would reduce the control that big tech companies have over the technologies we use.

There is a strong need for this change. Many technologies today can have harmful effects on young people. They often encourage addictive behaviors and focus on profit instead of well-being.

Let’s allow young people to create their own tools and experiences. If they do, those tools will likely look very different from what is available on the commercial market.

CTM: Absolutely. Do you think the monopoly of tech companies will change, or is it likely to remain this way?

McGivney: I don’t think this will last forever. Recently, there’s been a lot of regulatory attention on monopolistic practices, with big companies like Google facing scrutiny. I’m hopeful that we’ll continue to see progress in breaking up monopolies, but I’m also cautious about the possibility of these companies using political connections to reverse regulations. The regulatory system in the U.S. has made strides, and I’m optimistic that new generations of innovators will come forward, disrupting the current landscape. It’s also encouraging to see that the next wave of tech leaders will not just sit back and let Silicon Valley dominate the market forever.

CTM: What implications or applications do you hope your research will have on society?

McGivney: My main hope is that my research changes the way we think about education. Traditional learning models often limit students to passively absorbing information. However, learning is much more than that. Immersive technology can bring real-world experiences into the classroom. This allows students to learn not just abstract concepts but also understand how these concepts apply in the real world. The goal is to give learners more control. They should be able to explore topics based on their interests and gain deeper, practical insights into their chosen fields.

CTM: That’s really great to hear, and thank you so much for all the contributions you’re making to the field of education. Before we wrap up, what are you most excited about for 2025, both in terms of your research and teaching?

McGivney: As I mentioned earlier, I haven’t worked directly on developing new VR experiences. And this year is going to be the year where I will finally conduct studies on the VR experiences I’m developing with my collaborators. I want to see how people learn from them and how we can improve their designs, especially for youth and maybe even in classrooms. I have a lot to learn from it, and I’m so excited to see how this process of development unfolds.

 

This interview is part of the Center for Transformative Media’s Scholar Spotlight Series. Learn more about Professor McGivney by visiting her faculty profile page.

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