Oxford and UCL collaborate on research that highlights the need for inclusivity in the Metaverse for disabled users and content creators

Researchers at the Department of Computer Science have been working with colleagues at UCL and the Oxford e-Research Centre on a ground-breaking project funded by the PETRAS National Centre of Excellence for IoT Systems Cybersecurity.

The project, which began in 2016 and concluded this year, has been directed towards ensuring that technological advances in the Internet of Things (IoT) are developed and applied safely and securely in various contexts. This collaboration has involved University of Oxford's Dr Petar Radanliev and Professor David De Roure from the Oxford e-Research Centre, Dr Peter Novitzky from UCL's Faculty of Engineering Science — STEaPP, and Dr Ivo Sluganovic from Oxford's Department of Computer Science.

The joint endeavour delves into issues of Privacy, Ethics, Trust, Reliability, Accessibility, and Security (PETRAS) concerning IoT devices, systems, and networks. By coupling rigorous theory with industrial application, the project seeks to mitigate potential threats while harnessing the benefits of IoT, AI, and Machine Learning technologies.

The primary aim of the research project was to develop an inclusive framework that supported physically disabled artists in actively engaging with the Metaverse. This framework was designed to foster collaboration and knowledge transfer among various stakeholders, including academic organisations, Metaverse companies, and disability advocacy groups. Activities under this framework focused on two key areas: (1) enabling disabled artists to participate in creative and performing arts within the Metaverse and (2) facilitating their active involvement in the digital society within this new virtual realm. To achieve these aims, the framework placed significant emphasis on the development of complementary skills for disabled artists and ensured that networking opportunities were available through platforms such as the Digital Research in the Humanities and Arts (DRHA) and the International Conference on Social Science, Arts and Humanities (ICSAH). Moreover, the research scrutinised the top projects in the Metaverse in terms of their accessibility and inclusivity, thus highlighting the urgent need for such considerations to be integrated from the inception of Metaverse technologies.

As for the outcomes, the research offered a comprehensive analysis of the accessibility features, or lack thereof, in then-current Metaverse projects, thus spotlighting the imperative need for inclusive design in this burgeoning digital economy. Tables and figures in the study provided concrete data on aspects such as market capitalisation and ‘tokenomics’ and underscored vital factors that needed to be considered for promoting accessibility within the Metaverse. Interviews with experts, some of whom were from disability groups, were conducted to collect qualitative insights, which were categorised and summarised. Additionally, the study took into account compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 across different jurisdictions, such as the EU, UK, and US, emphasising the legal necessity for making the Metaverse accessible. Ultimately, the research served as a foundational piece for enabling equitable opportunities for physically disabled artists and users within the Metaverse, while also acting as a call to action for Metaverse organisations to prioritise accessibility.

For more information on the collaborative research or insights into the findings, interested parties are encouraged to contact the corresponding author, Dr Petar Radanliev at petar.radanliev@oerc.ox.ac.uk