Research groups
Aitor Rovira
Virtual Reality Technology Lead
My research lies at the intersection of computer science, virtual reality (VR), and psychology. Broadly speaking, I am interested in understanding the core mechanisms – Presence, interaction paradigms, and sensory integration – that make VR a robust framework for testing theories in psychology. I joined the University of Oxford in 2017, where I am specifically focused in improving therapeutic outcomes of mental health therapies in VR from a technology perspective.
In addition to my research, I supervise the software development of our VR experiences and oversee the maintenance of the hardware used in our research studies and clinical trials.
Before joining Oxford, I obtained my PhD in Computer Science as part of the VECG group at the University College London. Between Oxford and London, I was a postdoctoral researcher in the IMD Lab at the Nara Institute of Science and Technology.
Recent publications
andomized controlled experiment testing the use of virtual reality to trigger cigarette craving in people who smoke.
Journal article
Rovira A. et al, (2024), Sci Rep, 14
Developing an Automated Virtual Reality Therapy for Improving Positive Self-Beliefs and Psychological Well-Being (Phoenix VR Self-Confidence Therapy): Tutorial.
Journal article
Rosebrock L. et al, (2024), JMIR Serious Games, 12
andomised controlled test in virtual reality of the effects on paranoid thoughts of virtual humans' facial animation and expression.
Journal article
Wei S. et al, (2024), Sci Rep, 14
mated VR therapy for improving positive self-beliefs and psychological well-being in young patients with psychosis: a proof of concept evaluation of Phoenix VR self-confidence therapy.
Journal article
Freeman D. et al, (2024), Behav Cogn Psychother, 52, 277 - 287
Visual Attention and Virtual Human Facial Animations in Virtual Reality (VR): An Eye-Tracking Study
Conference paper
Wei S. et al, (2024), Proceedings 2024 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces Abstracts and Workshops Vrw 2024, 891 - 892