Empathy in VR: Immersive Storytelling to Combat Loneliness and Amplify Marginalized Voices
Overview
Abstract
Empathy in VR is a conceptual design and prototype exploring how immersive storytelling, generative AI, and virtual reality can foster empathy and social connectedness. Created with an artist collaborating with marginalized communities, it enables individuals to co-create personal narratives and AI-generated artworks rooted in lived experiences. These stories come alive in an interactive virtual museum featuring spatialized audio, symbolic artifacts, and photogrammetric 3D environments built using Arrival Space. Grounded in Human-Computer Interaction and affective computing, the system integrates principles of presence, embodiment, and psychological engagement to nurture both cognitive and emotional empathy. Guided by emotional resonance, accessibility, and authenticity, Empathy in VR addresses social fragmentation and loneliness through human-centered media. It contributes to HCI discourse by positioning immersive storytelling as a tool for inclusive representation and social repair, envisioning AI that supports creative agency, emotional intelligence, and shared human understanding.
Speaker Biography
Dr. Sanika Doolani is an Assistant Professor at San Francisco State University and Director of the Reality Experience Design (RED) Lab. Her research lies at the intersection of human–computer interaction, virtual and augmented reality, and immersive experience design. She investigates how emerging technologies can enhance human performance, empathy, and well-being. Beyond academia, Dr. Doolani brings extensive industry experience as a UX designer at Salesforce and The Walt Disney Company. Her broader interests include entrepreneurship, design innovation, and the ethical dimensions of user experience, bridging creative practice with scientific inquiry to advance human-centered technology.