Using Culturally Responsive Narratives in Virtual Reality To Influence Cognition and Self Efficacy

NeuroSpeculative AfroFeminism (NSAF) is a transformative Virtual Reality (VR) experience that gives women of color an entry point into the tech narrative at the intersection of neuroscience and speculative design [1]. As the experience begins, the user arrives in a speculative world where they explore a futuristic hair salon. The salon is a Neuro Cosmetology lab owned and occupied by women of color who are the lead scientists in the space. NSAF was created in response to the lack of narratives that include women of color at the center of New Media such as VR. This project is the focus of ongoing research to inform the design of culturally responsive VR experiences (tailored to minorities in Computing) in hopes of influencing self-efficacy within these groups. Research has shown that VR can be used to increase functional activity and influence brain reorganization [2]. However, there is little research that explores how VR could be used to influence self-efficacy through its affordance of embodied cognition [3]. The goal of this study is to show how VR-compared to traditional storytelling methods-could be used to tailor learning experiences. This video briefly describes the experience and introduces the project methodology, goals, and expected outcomes.