Dr. VR

Justin Baillargeon, Ph.D
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Justin Baillargeon (Dr. VR) is a VR, film and media Professor and Scholar based in Toronto, Canada. In his bilingual podcast (English and French), he discusses all things related to VR, such as its industry and its academic field.

  1. Ep. 46 - Preserving Holocaust Testimony Through VR and Volumetric Capture

    FEB 12

    Ep. 46 - Preserving Holocaust Testimony Through VR and Volumetric Capture

    In this episode of Dr. VR, I sit down with Dr. Oliver Schreer, who is an Associate Professor at the Technical University of Berlin and Head of the Immersive Media & Communication Group at the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute, to explore how cutting-edge volumetric capture technology is being used to preserve Holocaust testimony in VR. Dr. Schreer and his team developed two powerful VR experiences featuring Holocaust survivors: Eva Umlauf and Ernst Grube. Rather than relying on CGI avatars, they used high-fidelity volumetric capture to preserve the survivors exactly as they are—life-sized, realistic, and present. The result is not just immersive media, but a carefully designed encounter with living history and testimony. We discuss: ​ How 32-camera volumetric capture systems reconstruct humans in 3D​ The technical challenges behind real-time mesh reconstruction and texturing​A subtle but powerful innovation that enables eye contact in VR​The ethical boundaries of modifying testimonial data ​How people respond emotionally and cognitively to immersive testimony​Whether VR should become part of educational curricula​The future of real-time 3D video communication beyond Zoom and Teams

    47 min
  2. Ep. 45 - Owning AI: Literacy, Power, and Who Gets Left Behind

    JAN 20

    Ep. 45 - Owning AI: Literacy, Power, and Who Gets Left Behind

    In this episode of Dr. VR, I take a deliberate turn toward a topic that has surfaced repeatedly on the show but has never been fully unpacked: artificial intelligence. My guest, Claudette Hutchinson, is a Certified AI Lead Implementer and the founder of OwningMy, a platform designed to help people better understand, manage, and take ownership of their AI and digital interactions. Together, we explore what AI literacy really means beyond coding, why bias and representation matter in AI systems, and how these technologies can either widen existing gaps—or help close them. We discuss AI in education, accessibility, and creative fields, including how AI can support learners who have been historically excluded, the risks of automated decision-making, and why personal responsibility and critical thinking remain essential. We also circle back to immersive technologies and XR, looking at how AI and immersive tools intersect to democratize creativity and participation. This episode is about moving from fear to agency—and about who gets to shape the technologies defining our future.

    1h 2m
  3. Ep. 44 - Why "The Thrill of the Fight 2" Hits Different

    12/11/2025

    Ep. 44 - Why "The Thrill of the Fight 2" Hits Different

    "The Thrill of the Fight" is unquestionably one of the most iconic and authentic VR experiences ever created. Now, with "The Thrill of the Fight 2," the franchise is entering a bold new chapter. In this episode, I dive deep into the making of TOTF2 with Creative Director Edward Vasquez, exploring how the video game company Halfbrick is evolving the raw, room-scale intensity of the original, fully developed by the one-man-army Ian Fitz, while introducing multiplayer, a full career mode, smarter AI, and a stronger sense of presence and narrative. Edward shares his personal story of falling in love with boxing, the moment VR “clicked” for him, the challenges of designing real-time multiplayer combat, and why the version of TOTF2 available today represents only 10–15% of their full vision. We also break down embodiment, agency, player freedom, and what it means to design a VR experience that truly makes you feel inside the fight. Whether you're a longtime fan of TOTF, a VR developer, or someone curious about the future of immersive sports, this conversation delivers exclusive insights, big reveals, and an inspiring look at where VR boxing is headed.

    52 min
  4. Ep. 43 - Shaping the METAVRSE: XR technology & the evolving place of women in immersive futures

    11/27/2025

    Ep. 43 - Shaping the METAVRSE: XR technology & the evolving place of women in immersive futures

    I sit down with someone whose influence can be felt across technology, education, entrepreneurship, and global community building. Julie Smithson is the CEO and co-founder of METAVRSE, XR Women and Unlimited Awesome. She is a driving force in shaping how we create, collaborate, and thrive in the spatial web. In this wide-ranging conversation, Julie shares the incredible trajectory that brought her to becoming one of today’s most respected voices in immersive tech. We explore how her human-centric background in hospitality, combined with more than a decade of XR experience, informs the way she leads and designs for people rather than machines. She opens up about the mission behind Unlimited Awesome, a new educational ecosystem focused on perseverance, social impact, environmental responsibility, and preparing young people for a future where entrepreneurship and emerging technologies converge. We also discusse about why AI-first creation tools will redefine how students and creators build immersive worlds. We dive into the importance of governance and AI literacy, the shift toward agents over assistants, and why collaboration may become the most transformative “killer app” in the next wave of immersive adoption. And of course, we celebrate XR Women on its 5th anniversary: a vibrant global community now spanning more than 60 countries, empowering women and girls to lead, innovate, and shape the next era of spatial computing. Julie reflects on the current state of women’s representation in XR, where progress is happening, and where the industry urgently needs to evolve.

    1h 7m
  5. The Stereopsia Sessions - Alexandra Gerard

    11/04/2025

    The Stereopsia Sessions - Alexandra Gerard

    In December 2024, live from Stereopsia 2024 in Brussels, I sat down with Alexandra Gerard, Co-Director and Co-Founder of UnitedXR Europe, and Managing Director of Stereopsia, to explore how one of the continent’s leading XR events has evolved over the years. Alexandra shares how she fosters collaboration across Europe’s diverse XR ecosystem, the growing presence of women in immersive tech, and her mission to create a circuit connecting XR events across the continent.

    11 min
  6. The Stereopsia Sessions - Christophe Hermanns

    11/04/2025

    The Stereopsia Sessions - Christophe Hermanns

    Dans cette Stereopsia Session, je rencontre Christophe Hermanns, directeur de Vigo Creative, pour discuter de la manière dont le Serious Gaming en réalité virtuelle transforme la formation professionnelle — des pompiers belges apprenant les protocoles liés aux matières dangereuses jusqu’aux simulations pour centrales nucléaires. Christophe partage également des réflexions sur le succès du studio avec The Smurfs: Blueberry Battle, un jeu bientôt disponible dans plusieurs parcs d’attractions à travers le monde, et explique pourquoi les expériences multijoueurs représentent, selon lui, l’avenir véritable de la réalité virtuelle.

    9 min
  7. The Stereopsia Sessions - Prof. Raigmor Barras & Prof. Rosemary Bernabe

    11/04/2025

    The Stereopsia Sessions - Prof. Raigmor Barras & Prof. Rosemary Bernabe

    In this Stereopsia Session, I spoke with Prof. Raigmor Barras and Prof. Rosemary Bernabe, coordinators of the EU project XR4Human, about creating a Code of Conduct for ethical and human-centred immersive technologies. They discuss the importance of accessibility, inclusivity, and interoperability in XR—and their hope that the European Commission will adopt their guidelines to ensure an equitable future for all users.

    12 min
  8. The Stereopsia Sessions - Roger ter Heide

    11/04/2025

    The Stereopsia Sessions - Roger ter Heide

    In this Stereopsia Session, I sat down with Roger ter Heide, CEO and Founder of ImproVive, to discuss the intersection of AI, VR, and interactive narrative design. His museum installation "Anders?!" from the Museum de Heksenwaag, immerses visitors in the emotional tension of historical witch-trial interrogations—powered by conversational AI and responsive avatars. Roger shares how this technology sparks reflection on modern discrimination and how AI-driven motion and emotion are reshaping VR storytelling.

    11 min
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About

Justin Baillargeon (Dr. VR) is a VR, film and media Professor and Scholar based in Toronto, Canada. In his bilingual podcast (English and French), he discusses all things related to VR, such as its industry and its academic field.

Information

  • Creator
    Justin Baillargeon, Ph.D
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    76
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Justin Baillargeon, Ph.D
  • Show Website
    Dr. VR