Research on Tap is a monthly speaker series bringing UNT researchers to give micro-talks on timely and interesting topics. Come hear about exciting research and stick around for beverages and lively discussion with colleagues and friends.   Topic: Is virtual the new real? Now that we've extended reality, what's next?   Guest Speaker: Dr. Ruth West, Professor, College of Visual Arts and Design, Director of the xREZ Art + Science Lab Description: Virtual and augmented reality technologies are changing how we work, live, and play. Ride a water slide with a VR headset on and dive into a fantastical water world on the other side of the Earth. Join a conversation in the Metaverse or immerse yourself in the rhythm of playing Beat Saber.  At the UNT College of Visual Art and Design's xREZ Art + Science Lab, Dr. Ruth West and her team create engaging and powerful sensorial, co-present, and data-driven virtual and augmented reality experiences. Their work focuses on humanizing emerging technologies to harness their potential.  They explore the possibilities for using big data to create immersive data worlds that transform our view of ourselves and our world. Join us as we consider questions like,  What’s your vision of the virtual? And, now that we’ve extended reality, what’s next? Facebook Live Link: https://www.facebook.com/UNTResearch