Personal profile
Overview
My research interest is in Immersive Technologies (Virtual Realit, Augmented Rreality, Mixed Reality) and the developmet of accessible and inclusive 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 secondary research interest is in Higher Education, and I am interested in developing and apply new technologies to improve students experience and learning in the classroom.
Area of academic expertise - outline
My area of research expertise is in Extended Realities (XR) a branch of Spatial Computing. In particular I am interested in three topics (1) development of accassibility and inclusion tools for XR, (2) in the development of tools that will make training and education using XR easier and more accessible to non technical audiences, (3) the design and protoryping of XR Experineces for the Heritage sector.
Current research activities
Currently my research focuses on Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) applications to cultural heritage and virtual social spaces, with a focus on inclusion and accessibility.
I am also collaborating with museums to study how to create immersive experiences that bridge the gap between reality and virtuality and complement the activities that museuma are currently undertaking.
Desired research direction
The goal of my research is to understand the effects Extender Realities technologies applicaitons to higher education, industy, and the heritage sector trough collaboration with such indurtries. Developing effective innovative soultions and immersive interfaces that explore new ways of remote working and online presence using virtual, augmented, or mixed reality.
Current teaching activities and interests
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.
Target collaborative organisations
I am happy to collaborate with any organization that is interested in applying XR technologies to their workflow. With particular interest for, but not limited to, industrial training and the heritage sectors.
I am also happy to discuss academic partnership and collaborations with other Universities interested in applying XR to higher education
Target collaborative companies
I am interested to collaborate with any company that has interest in extended realities technologies (VR, AR or MR).
I am currently collaborating with:
- Smartify;
I have collaborated in the past with:
- Zyix ltd;
- Swagelok Scotland;
- Golden Casket;
- Little's;
- The Scottish Crannog Centre;
- The Tain Muesum;
- ISO Design;
- The VR Hive;
Other areas of expertise available for knowledge exchange
User Experience, UI Information Architecture, 3D Reconstructions, Computer Graphics, Accessibility
External positions
External Examiner, University of Chester
Sept 2021 → …
Advisory Board Member, Fuze Management Services Ltd - trading as 'The VR Hive'
Apr 2021 → Dec 2021
Keywords
- QA76 Computer software
- Virtual Reality
- Augmented Reality
- Immersive Technologies
- Immersive Experiences
- 3D Reconstructions
- Computer Graphics
- Virtual Prototyping
- User Experience
- Extended Realities
- QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science
- LB2300 Higher Education
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 4 Quality Education
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SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Fingerprint
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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A user study on deaf individuals in VR social spaces - the emergence of the VR sign language
McIntyre, L. E. & Gilardi, M., 9 Jun 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
Open AccessFile67 Downloads (Pure) -
A web-based virtual tours system for cultural heritage: the case study of the 'Cutty Sark'
Gilardi, M., Holder, R. & Kokkiniotis, T., 9 Jun 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
Open AccessFile48 Downloads (Pure) -
Enhancing Web3D accessibility in cultural heritage: an eye-controlled 3D model viewer
Bernikas, J., Holder, R., Kokkiniotis, T. & Gilardi, M., 9 Jun 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
Open AccessFile22 Downloads (Pure) -
Guidelines for immersive serious games design
Beveridge, L. & Gilardi, M., 9 Jun 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
Open AccessFile107 Downloads (Pure) -
Thermal haptic for virtual reality: a review
Ning, W. & Gilardi, M., 9 Jun 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper
Open AccessFile143 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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Finalist Innovation of the Year - Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2021
Gilardi, M. (Recipient), Mar 2021
Prize: Other distinction
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Finalist Inward Investment Impact - Smartify - UWS
Gilardi, M. (Recipient), 2025
Prize: Other distinction
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Highly Commended for Outstanding Leadership - UWS STARS Awards 2020
Gilardi, M. (Recipient), Aug 2020
Prize: Other distinction
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Vice-Chancellor's Innovation Fund - Team Award 2020
Gilardi, M. (Recipient), Hainey, T. (Recipient), Walker, A. (Recipient), Rodriguez Nunez, C. (Recipient) & Bakhshi, A. (Recipient), 2020
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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16th International Conference on Software, Knowledge, Information Management & Applications
Gilardi, M. (Organiser) & Dahal, K. (Organiser)
9 Jun 2025 → 11 Jun 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference
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AT2030 Frontiers symposium - Organised by The Royal Academy of Engineering in collaboration with GDIH and Kathmandu University.
Gilardi, M. (Participant), McIntyre, L. (Participant) & Bernikas, J. (Participant)
8 Oct 2025 → 10 Oct 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
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No app, no hardware, no limits… WebXR
Gilardi, M. (Speaker) & Holder, R. (Speaker)
25 Jun 2025 → 26 Jun 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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35th Bled eConference
Gilardi, M. (Invited speaker)
29 Jun 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
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Hainan Normal University CPD
Gilardi, M. (Organiser), Hamilton, D. (Invited speaker) & Tzanidis, T. (Invited speaker)
11 Jul 2022 → 22 Jul 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Press/Media
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Scottish Parliament - Commendation for Scott Ewing on Winning Prestigious Gamebridge Prize
10/07/24
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Other
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Explore the Cutty Sark in new immersive virtual reality (VR) experience
29/03/24
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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Explore the Cutty Sark in new immersive virtual reality (VR) experience
29/03/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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UK Parliament Early Day Motion - TIGA UK games education awards
1/11/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Other