Julia Scott-Stevenson is a researcher and maker of immersive media based at University of Technology Sydney. Julia will share research and creative practice findings from her research project, in which she is exploring: how might collectively engaging with immersive artworks inform our perception of climate crisis and our feelings of agency? 

The first creative output from the project was Collective Visions, a collaborative, interactive generative AI experience in which audiences collectively generated their hoped-for climate futures and built a growing collage during Climate Action Week Sydney. Her current prototype project, Future Echoes, is a collaborative, interactive, mixed reality documentary experience. 

Using mixed reality glasses, participants encounter life-size, volumetric recordings of diverse Australian women, sharing their visions for a resilient climate future. Julia tested the prototype with public audiences during Vivid Festival in Sydney in June this year, and a second iteration is in development. The project asks, how does it feel to encounter a virtual, holographic human, relating their climate story? And how can the materiality of inhabiting augmented space support and enhance connectedness with a desirable future? Julia will also discuss the journey the project has taken into and then away from AI tools.

Julia is also lead researcher on MIT Open Documentary Lab’s partnership with IDFA DocLab R&D Network, and she co-authored the 2024 report ‘Embodiment, AI and Perception of the Real.’ Julia was creative producer of 'Privy To', an XR project exploring privacy rights, one of 14 projects globally showcased at CPH:DOX's 2021 Inter:Active Exhibition. She mentors and speaks on XR, nonfiction and emerging creative technologies internationally.

Join us online on YouTube Live, or in the building on Friday, the 5th of December 2025 at 1pm for the talk and to take part in the Q and A discussion afterwards. 

The Pervasive Media Studio is a partnership between the Watershed, University of the West of England and University of Bristol. The lunchtime talks are partly supported by MyWorld, a project led by the University of Bristol to support creative industries in the region. Watershed is supported by Arts Council England.

Address:

Watershed, 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX

Directions:

The Lunchtime talks take place in the Pervasive Media Studio Event Space. To access the Studio, please go to the Main Watershed Box Office entrance and go upstairs to the Café Bar. Walk across the cafe bar, turn right and walk towards the double doors. Go through into the corridor and walk all the way down until you reach the Studio. A member of staff will sign you in, and check your ticket, if you have booked.

The Studio is wheelchair accessible, and the events space has a hearing loop. The last talk of every month is BSL interpreted. 

For more information on accessing the studio take a look here.

*Please note this is a hybrid event and will be live streamed so please be aware you will be in the live broadcast and recording when watching in the Studio.