Virtual research communities allow researchers to communicate, collaborate, and conduct studies remotely through virtual platforms. Some key virtual research communities discussed include iLRN, an international nonprofit focused on immersive learning research; Educators in VR, which provides VR events and training; and XRDRN, an online platform where researchers can find study participants. Virtual research communities provide advantages like simulating real-world scenarios safely, collecting more meaningful data through tools like eye-tracking, and allowing research to continue despite restrictions from the pandemic.

1. Research Communities: Virtual
Research Communities
Dr. Irfan ul Haq AKhoon

2. Introduction
• Continuous Learning has become more important than ever before.
• In such an unprecedented environment, where a pandemic has taken a toll on every academic institution
and business, Research & Development is one of the areas that has been impacted the most.
• Research Community means the community of researchers that work for and provide research to
academia and not for profit organizations.
Dr. Irfan ul Haq AKhoon

3. Introduction
In the last few years, researchers haven’t been able to conduct research studies due to the closure of
labs/research centers across the globe.
Which has resulted in the halting of various scientific and non-scientific research activities.
What has further exacerbated the situation is the unavailability of research participants to collect data
about the research.
There is a need to find a digital alternative for research work.
Virtual Research Communities are the platforms where Researchers can communicate, collaborate and find
opportunities to kick start their research work.
Dr. Irfan ul Haq AKhoon

4. Advantages
Simulating Real-World scenarios: An academic laboratory comprises several space types for conducting research and
development studies
• With VR, researchers who are working on a range of scientific areas or doctoral students who are working on their dissertations
can build immersive, interactive, and realistic research scenarios.
Conduct research studies safely: In real life, Academic laboratories may face some challenges like preventing COVID
spread or even hazardous chemical spills.
• Such disasters affect the entire academic research community at many levels.
• It can lead to a waste of time and resources for the researchers.
• Damaged goods and equipment can cost institutions a huge amount of money, interrupt ongoing day-to-day operations and lead
to injuries.
• Given the possibilities of such unexpected occurrences, VR is a safe bet for researchers to conduct studies in a controlled
environment.
Dr. Irfan ul Haq AKhoon

5. Advantages
Collect more meaningful data: Traditionally, researchers have been collecting qualitative and
quantitative data using Questionnaires, Face to Face interactions.
• However, conducting such studies in a situation like COVID-19 is proving to be a cumbersome task.
• VR improves the quality of data and saves time in data collection.
• Virtual Reality combined with other technologies such as Eye-tracking tools and Bio-Sensors can help in
identifying users’ involuntary muscle movements, which is difficult to monitor using traditional
methodologies.
Dr. Irfan ul Haq AKhoon

6. Some Virtual Research Communities
• iLRN
• Educators in VR
• XRDRN
• Virtual World Society
• XR Creators
Dr. Irfan ul Haq AKhoon

7. iLRN
• The Immersive Learning Research Network or iLRN.
• The Immersive Learning Research Network (ILRN) is an international nonprofit 501(c)3
organization of developers, educators, and research professionals collaborating to develop a the
scientific, technical, and applied potential of immersive learning.
• iLRN is an international organization that focuses on the advancements of immersive learning and
to enhance research work using technologies such as VR/AR.
Dr. Irfan ul Haq AKhoon

8. Educators in VR
• Educators in VR brings together various groups of researchers, educators and VR enthusiasts to
explore possibilities of shared collaboration in an immersive environment.
• In addition to that, they provide VR events, training and workshops to foster the growth of
immersive learning.
• It consists of a team of experts who are dedicated to imparting necessary education on immersive
technologies and its applications across different sectors.
Dr. Irfan ul Haq AKhoon

9. XRDRN
• XRDRN is an online platform for researchers to upload research studies and find participants for
their research.
• It is maintained by Ph.D. candidates Jack Ratcliffe and Francesco Soave.
• The idea was born out of the need for researchers to publicize their projects and find participants
to participate in their research work.
Dr. Irfan ul Haq AKhoon

10. Virtual World Society
• Virtual World Society’s main focus is to collaborate with the organization and experts in exploring
various possibilities of VR/AR that can have a greater impact on education across schools, families
and communities.
• Since their inception in 2015, they have conducted various projects to explore education use
cases.
• Secondly, they have conducted projects to bring immersive technologies to the refugees and
underprivileged sections of society.
Dr. Irfan ul Haq AKhoon

11. Research Communities Portals
• Bonus: The Research Access Portal
• Academia.edu
• BioCrowd
• Graduate Junction
• ResearchGATE
• LabLit
• Labmeeting
• Laboratree
• LabRoots
• Methodspace
• Nature Network
piirus.ac.uk
• Pronetos
• SciLinks
• THE
Dr. Irfan ul Haq AKhoon

12. Bonus: The Research Access Portal
• Similar to the XRDRN, XpertVR has created the Research Access Portal so researchers can upload
research studies and find participants for their research.
• The added benefit of the Portal is that you can filter your demographic so participants are
automatically notified of your study.
• Everything from data collection to payment is then handled by the portal so all you have to worry
about is publishing papers
Dr. Irfan ul Haq AKhoon

13. Acadimia.edu:
Who's researching what?
BioCrowd: a social network for students, scientists, business people,
and others who share a passion for bioscience.
It was created to help bioscience professionals build relationships,
exchange ideas, find jobs and identify exciting new career
opportunities.
Dr. Irfan ul Haq AKhoon

14. Graduate Junction: The academic network for all Masters, PhD and postdoctoral researchers.
• Any subject, anywhere in the world.
• Use Graduate Junction to grow your own academic network and make contact with other researchers
who share your research interests.
ResearchGATE: The leading professional network for scientists.
• It's free of charge and designed to meet researchers' needs with colleagues and build your scientific
network.
• Discover new methods, papers, and people with our comprehensive research based search engine.
• Collaborate using our suite of applications built specifically for researchers.
Dr. Irfan ul Haq AKhoon