The Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII) at Georgia State University is proud to be a founding member of the Immersive Experience Alliance (IXA), a coalition of universities dedicated to advancing the field of Extended Reality (XR). IXA is committed to exploring how immersive technologies drive social impact and innovation, bringing together institutions shaping the future of XR education and research.
Representing CMII is Elizabeth Strickler, faculty at Georgia State University’s Robinson College of Business (RCB) and CMII, and Director of Media Entrepreneurship Programs, whose expertise in digital innovation, interactive storytelling, and the metaverse has positioned Georgia State as a leader in immersive media education.
Her recently published instructional design study, “(World) Building Transformation: Students and Teachers as Co-Creators in OpenXR Learning Environments,” underscores the need for academic institutions to create human-centered, hands-on learning experiences in emerging XR landscapes. The research highlights how immersive technologies challenge traditional classroom hierarchies and calls for new pedagogical approaches where students become active co-creators rather than passive consumers. The IXA’s mission aligns with this vision by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring students gain the critical skills needed to navigate the evolving media and technology landscape.
SXSW 2025: How Academia is Shaping the Future of XR
This March, CMII and the IXA will take center stage at South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive 2025 in Austin, Texas. The alliance will present the panel “Building Tomorrow’s Worlds: How Academia Teaches XR Creation,” exploring how universities are integrating immersive technology, storytelling, and societal impact into their programs. The panel takes place on March 9 at 4 p.m.
Moderated by Strickler, the panel will feature Nick Pilarski (Arizona State University’s MIX Center), Erin Reilly (Texas Immersive Institute at UT Austin), and Pat Clark (University of Colorado Boulder’s Immersive Media Lab). The discussion will showcase cutting-edge projects—including interactive art installations, immersive game worlds, and virtual production research—demonstrating how XR is tackling real-world challenges in education, healthcare, and community engagement.
“This panel goes beyond showcasing immersive technology—it’s about digging deep into best practices for teaching and building in these new digital spaces,” says Strickler. “We’re exploring the roles and approaches that emerging immersive worlds demand, and how we can teach with low-code and no-code tools to help students create, express, and tell stories without the burden of technical barriers.”
SXSW IXA Networking & Showcase Event
Following the panel, IXA will host a showcase and networking event on March 10 from 4 to 9 p.m. in Austin. Supported by sponsors such as AMD, the event will feature interactive demonstrations of XR projects from IXA faculty and students, offering attendees a hands-on look at the future of immersive media.
About the Immersive Experience Alliance (IXA)
The Immersive Experience Alliance (IXA) is a coalition of public universities committed to advancing Extended Reality (XR) through accessibility, social impact, and applied research. Learn more at ixalliance.org.
About the Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII)
The Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII) is a leading hub for media arts education and innovation, dedicated to preparing students for careers in the ever-evolving creative and media industries. Through cutting-edge programs, industry partnerships and state-of-the-art facilities, CMII offers a dynamic environment for students to explore their creative potential and pursue their passion for storytelling and media production.