Please note: This master’s thesis presentation will take place in DC 2310.
Punit Kunjam, Master’s candidate
David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science
Supervisor: Professor Oliver Schneider
This research explores how to design haptic feedback systems in virtual reality (VR) environments to support relational presence, a concept central to the design of Virtual Learning Environments. Unlike traditional presence, which focuses on simulation, interac tivity, and user satisfaction, relational presence emphasizes engagement with values such as impression, witnessing, self-awareness, awareness of difference, interpretation, inquiry, and affective dissonance. The objective is to develop haptic designs that enhance these aspects of relational presence, facilitating users’ engagement with challenging content that prompts thoughtful questions about responsibility and action.
Through this project, we identified mechanisms and design criteria that could help align haptic feedback with emotional and narrative arcs, potentially enhancing users’ connection to the content and fostering a more reflective and empathetic engagement. By focusing on creating interactions that resonate emotionally and cognitively with users, rather than just achieving representational fidelity, this research contributes design principles that enable haptic technology to foster a richer, more reflective user experience in educational and narrative-driven VR applications.