The role of an XR (Extended Reality) Disruptor involves pioneering and revolutionizing the integration and application of XR technologies within various domains. XR encompasses technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), all of which combine physical and digital worlds to create immersive experiences. The XR Disruptor plays a vital role in leveraging these technologies to transform how individuals interact with information, environments, and each other.
James Hutson, the Lead XR Disruptor at Lindenwood University, is deeply rooted in the realm of education, owing much of his passion to the influence of his father, an art teacher. During his formative years, the strokes of a brush and the palette of colors ignited a passion for visual mediums within him. This passion led him to pursue a major in Art during college, focusing on honing his skills in oil painting.
However, life had its own script. By the end of his college years, James discovered an insatiable curiosity for the narratives behind the art: the history, the culture, and the evolution. This revelation led him to pursue further studies, culminating in an MA and a Ph.D. in Art History.
Post-academia, James took up a teaching position in the bustling educational environment of the DC metroplex. This phase of his journey led him to Lindenwood University’s Studio Art department. Here, he was entrusted with the revitalization of a degree program that was, at the time, largely dormant. As he delved deeper into the administrative aspect of academia, he eventually became the Assistant Dean of Online and Graduate Programs for the School of Arts, Media, and Communications. This position was enlightening and exposed him to the nuances of online education, digital pedagogy, and the intricacies of management and leadership.
Recognizing the gaps in his expertise, James further expanded his academic portfolio by acquiring graduate degrees in Game Design and Leadership. This allowed him to architect and implement a suite of online academic offerings, many of which garnered significant accolades.
His role eventually evolved into that of the Lead XR Disruptor in the College of Arts and Humanities. Overseeing the creation of an XR and Gaming Lab, he was at the helm of pioneering research initiatives related to XR, buoyed by the collaborative efforts of the VR Champions across campus. This momentum led to the inception of the AI Ambassadors initiative, a cross-disciplinary exploration of applied AI. His journey, filled with diverse roles and responsibilities, was also punctuated by authoring several case studies and books on the integration of AI across various disciplines.
Integrating Emergent Technologies
The role of Lead XR Disruptor, coupled with the esteemed position of Department Head of Art History and Visual Culture at Lindenwood University, was both intricate and multifaceted for him. As a nexus between technology and academia, this dual responsibility required a delicate balance of preserving the essence of traditional learning paradigms while integrating emergent technologies.
Within the realm of Art History and Visual Culture, the department was particularly proud of its online graduate program, which achieved significant recognition. Garnering accolades, this program stood as the #1 online graduate offering in Art History. Such an achievement was a testament to the rigorous curriculum, the dedication of the faculty, and the innovative pedagogical methods employed.
As the Lead XR Disruptor, James delved into the expansive domain of Extended Reality (XR). This responsibility mandated the orchestration and integration of XR technologies across a myriad of disciplines, not merely restricted to arts and design. The remit extended to healthcare, psychology, education, and more, symbolizing a profound interdisciplinary endeavor.
James spearheaded diverse research initiatives in his role, championing the integration of XR into pedagogy. The objective was clear: to harness the potential of XR, ensuring that its immersive capabilities were channeled to enhance learning outcomes, foster deeper student engagement, and revolutionize traditional educational modalities. Through such endeavors, the institution aspired to remain at the cutting edge, crafting a legacy of innovation and academic excellence.
Overcoming Technological Barriers
Foremost among the challenges for him was the design intricacy of online courses. Akin to a dual canvas of art and science, online course design demanded both precision and creativity. While establishing clear learning objectives, ensuring seamless navigation, and meticulously curating course materials remained paramount, these elements only encompassed a fraction of the broader spectrum.
Leveraging the power of technology-facilitated adaptive learning strategies. Personalized content delivery, based on individual learner profiles and real-time feedback mechanisms, enhanced learner outcomes and satisfaction levels. Additionally, the establishment of robust support systems encompassing mentorship, peer interaction forums, and continuous feedback loops ensured that learners, irrespective of their location, felt valued, engaged, and supported.
Confronted with this academic milieu, the primary challenge for him was to deconstruct these barriers. The metaphorical “reaching across the aisle” became not just a strategic move but a necessity. However, effecting such a paradigmatic shift demanded more than mere intent; it required the conceptualization of a new model of research authorship.
Enter the de-centered author model. A paradigm that, at its core, celebrated the ethos of collaboration and shared credit. In this model, the singularity of authorship was supplanted by a more pluralistic and inclusive approach. Each contributor, irrespective of their discipline or expertise, was accorded equal recognition. Such an approach not only challenged the traditional norms of academic recognition but also paved the way for a richer tapestry of scholarship.
In an era characterized by heightened interdisciplinarity, where the once sacrosanct boundaries between physical and social sciences, and even between art and science, were blurring, the de-centered author model became profoundly relevant. By fostering collaborations, this model facilitated the synthesis of diverse perspectives, leading to scholarship that was not only innovative but also reflective of the complex, interconnected world of contemporary academia.
In essence, the challenges encountered in the role of Lead Researcher were not mere obstacles but catalysts for James. By prompting a re-evaluation of entrenched academic norms, they ushered in a new era of collaborative, interdisciplinary scholarship.
Harnessing Collective Expertise
In the dynamic realm of cutting-edge technologies such as XR and AI, staying abreast of the latest developments became a Herculean task. The sheer velocity of technological advancements, especially in domains as intricate and multifarious as AI, presented a challenge even for the most dedicated scholars and practitioners.
A strategic approach to this challenge involved harnessing collective expertise. Leading an international consortium of more than 80 interdisciplinary and interinstitutional researchers served as a testament to the power of collaborative knowledge acquisition. Recognizing that no singular individual could encapsulate the vastness of the evolving technological panorama, a distributed model of knowledge updating became essential.
Each member of this diverse team specialized in unique areas, bringing to the table a depth of expertise and perspective. Rather than expecting a universalistic knowledge base, researchers were entrusted with the responsibility of delving deep into their specific spheres of interest. Such specialization not only ensured depth but also optimized the bandwidth of each researcher.
Strategies employed by these specialists were diverse and tailored to the rapidly evolving nature of the field. Podcasts, a medium that melded accessibility with depth, were frequently utilized. They offered timely insights and often featured leading voices in the respective domains. Additionally, the digital landscape of tech blogging provided real-time updates, reviews, and critiques, ensuring that the team remained informed about the latest breakthroughs and debates.
Following thought leaders on social media platforms also became invaluable for James. These platforms often served as primary channels for disseminating breakthroughs, sharing research papers, and engaging in academic discussions. Furthermore, given the academic orientation of the team, perusing the latest research publications remained a cornerstone. Journals, conferences, and symposia became crucial touchpoints for acquiring knowledge.
In sum, navigating the whirlwind of technological advancements demanded a combination of strategy, collaboration, and adaptability. Through a distributed model of knowledge acquisition, where each researcher operated both as a specialist and a conduit for broader team learning, he did not just address the challenge of staying updated but transformed it into his strength.
Following the Path of Trailblazers
While talking about role models, James expresses that for an individual immersed in the complex tapestry of interdisciplinary research, those who operated on the fringes of established disciplines often hold the most allure. For James, researchers who had the audacity to challenge conventional disciplinary boundaries and sought confluences between seemingly disparate fields emerged as potent sources of inspiration. These scholars, by virtue of their interstitial positioning, catalyzed novel amalgamations of knowledge, leading to the birth of pioneering domains and paradigms.
As an art historian, a quintessential exemplar of such interdisciplinary brilliance was the work of Leonardo da Vinci. One would be hard-pressed to even realistically call da Vinci an artist, given most of his time was spent studying anatomy, engineering, botany, and fluid dynamics. Neri Oxman’s work at the MIT Media Lab offered another compelling example.
Merging design, biology, and computing, Oxman explored the potential of digital fabrication and its intersection with the natural world, leading to the birth of ‘material ecology’. Amanda Wasielewski, in her exploration of the intersection of art history and technology, brought forth intriguing perspectives on the evolving nature of art analysis.
She posited that computer scientists, especially those dabbling in computer vision, could be seen as a new generation of ‘rogue’ art historians. These technologists, armed with algorithms and computational models, delved into the intricate analysis of art in ways traditionally reserved for human art connoisseurs. These figures, among others, exemplified the potency of interdisciplinary endeavors.
By positioning themselves at the confluence of disciplines, they not only challenged existing knowledge structures but also charted out new terrains of academic exploration. Such trailblazers, in their pursuit of connections, synthesis, and innovation, profoundly influenced those who sought to transcend traditional academic silos and envisage a more interconnected tapestry of knowledge.
Redefining the Educational Landscape
As the Lead Researcher in AI & XR Technologies at Lindenwood University, James’ mission was both ambitious and intricately detailed, aimed at harnessing the transformative power of technology to redefine the educational landscape. The journey began with the comprehensive integration of XR across the campus, a milestone that was achieved with resounding success. These efforts not only led to the dissemination of findings to an international audience but also set the foundation for deeper, more immersive learning experiences. The establishment of the XR lab and the subsequent provision of headsets to all students underscored a commitment to ensuring that every student, regardless of location or background, had access to a rich, immersive learning environment.
With the foundations firmly in place, his focus shifted towards the realm of artificial intelligence. In 2021, a meticulous needs assessment was conducted, gauging the readiness and requirements of each discipline in relation to generative AI. This was followed by a series of interdisciplinary case studies initiated in 2022, casting light on the multifaceted applications and implications of AI in academia.
Now, at this juncture, his vision was to coalesce these insights and experiences into a comprehensive instrument. This tool was envisioned to guide institutions in their transformative journey, steering them beyond the conventional boundaries of digital transformation. His ultimate goal was to usher in a generative transformation — a paradigm where AI was not merely an auxiliary tool but a central pillar that drove personalized, adaptive, and student-centric learning experiences.
Combining the immersive capabilities of XR with the adaptive prowess of AI, James’ had a clear vision: to sculpt an academic environment that was not only anchored in cutting-edge technology but was also deeply sensitive and responsive to the unique needs, aspirations, and potentials of every student. In this envisioned future, education transcended static curricula and rigid structures, evolving into a dynamic, interactive, and deeply personal journey for each learner.
Being at the Forefront of Cutting-edge Research
One of the most notable achievements for him was the assembly of an international group of researchers, all experts in their respective domains. This consortium, representing diverse disciplines, was at the forefront of cutting-edge research, traversing the intricate intersections of AI, XR, neuroscience, neurodiversity, and the arts. The collaborative nature of this group and the interdisciplinary essence of their work exemplified the potential that emerged when boundaries were blurred, and collective expertise was harnessed.
In the realm of academic publishing, his significant milestone was the founding of the “International Journal of Emerging and Disruptive Innovation in Education (iJEDIE): Visionarium.” As the Editor-in-Chief of this esteemed journal, his responsibility extended beyond mere editorial duties. It encompassed shaping the direction of the journal, fostering a culture of rigorous scholarship, and ensuring that iJEDIE remained a beacon for groundbreaking research in the educational domain.
His accolades and recognitions, while serving as affirmations of one’s contributions, also underscored the broader impact and resonance of the work undertaken. In 2023, his recognition as the “Top Lead XR Disruptor of the Year” by the IAOTP (International Association of Top Professionals) stood as a testament to his pioneering efforts in the domain of Extended Reality. Furthermore, being featured as one of the “5 Rising Leaders to Watch in Education 2023” by CIO TIMES was a significant one, too.
