Virtual reality headsets fostered connections at the first Equitable and Inclusive Computing workshop during the 10th annual IEEE International Conference on Collaboration and Internet Computing last month.
ABINGTON, Pa. — Penn State Abington faculty and staff held the first Equitable and Inclusive Computing (EIC) workshop during the 10th annual IEEE International Conference on Collaboration and Internet Computing in Washington, D.C., last month.
“The collective contributions of Abington faculty and staff were instrumental in driving conversations around digital equity and immersive technology, proving that real impact is measured by the immediate changes we make in the world,” Kimberley Hemmings-Jarrett, the assistant teaching professor of business who chaired the workshop, said.
The EIC workshop brought together experts from both industry and academia to discuss how technologies like virtual reality (VR) can bridge gaps in education and access and contribute to sustainability. The Abington experts who contributed to the dialogue included:
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Panelist Lindsay Wood, director of the Office of Information Technology, shared insights on the role of immersive technologies in fostering inclusive learning environments by bridging digital divides that often leave marginalized communities behind.
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Abigail Akande, associate professor of rehabilitation and human services, provided evaluations of cutting-edge research on equitable computing as a paper-reviewer.
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Instructors Stefani Abreu and Terri Stiles provided thought leadership with their paper presentation “Virtual Reality for Stress Management in University Students,” which demonstrated the opportunities for VR to support mental health in higher education.
A professor who works in a STEM program for women purchased a virtual reality headset the night of the workshop for her students in Pakistan.
The VR exhibit, coordinated by Hemmings-Jarrett, sparked an experience that demonstrated the potential of global collaboration and empowerment. A Pakistani professor, who works for a women-led initiative focused on expanding educational opportunities in STEM, experienced VR for the first time through the Meta-Quest 3 headsets that were set up at the workshop.
“She was captivated by the technology's potential to transform education, particularly for girls and women in Pakistan. She returned on the second day to speak to me because she was eager to bring VR back to her students,” Hemmings-Jarrett said.
Following their conversation, the professor bought a Meta-Quest 3 headset and returned for assistance setting it up. Hemmings-Jarrett and the conference team worked late into the night to ensure it was ready, and the professor flew to Pakistan the next day, where the VR device will become a tool for empowering women through education.
“This story is a reminder that the true impact factor of academic work lies not just in publications or citations but in the lives it changes. Thanks to the dedication of Abington faculty, this professor left the EIC workshop equipped to bring about immediate, transformative change for women in her country. The collective efforts of our team demonstrate how academic expertise can create meaningful, global impact through collaboration and technology,” Hemming-Jarrett said.
Abington students, faculty and staff as well as volunteers were key to supporting attendees as they explored VR and other innovations at the conference, she said.
“Together, they proved that the future of equitable and inclusive computing is not just about technology — it’s about people, and the difference we can make in their lives,” Hemmings-Jarrett said.
About Penn State Abington
Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible and high-impact education resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st-century public higher education within a world-class research university. With more than 3,100 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 25 majors, accelerated master's degrees, undergraduate research, the Schreyer Honors College, NCAA Division III athletics and more.
