Fred is a co-investigator on the DISC project
- What interested you in doing research relating to disability / the DISC project?
I was interested for two reasons. First, there was the opportunity to continue develop some VR technology (along with a VR game) we had developed and have it applied in another field; but the project scope has changed and that part has now been dropped and I mostly support the development of the VR game (an output of the DISC project is training which includes a virtual reality (VR) element). Second — and that is certainly now my main interest — is to learn more about disability and how I can improve my knowledge and practice as well as influence those of my institution more widely. I knew I had a lot to learn in this area and I have already learnt a lot. I now hope that I can help develop serious, immersive games that will help training across organisations and ultimately improve practice and behaviour.
- What are your main concerns for the DISC project?
My main concern is that DISC ends up having very little impact. The impact DISC will have on processes and practice at Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh will be a clear indication of whether DISC can indeed have wider impact. This is certainly challenging, for various reasons (including the impact COVID-19 has had on people’s capacity to engage with DISC).
- What are your hopes for disability the DISC project?
To counter-balance my concerns, I must say that I am impressed by Jen and Kate’s work to optimise the chances of success. And beside the two of them, the whole project leading team is really engaged. So, even if the direct impact of DISC might prove hard to realise, I believe that the team is developing knowledge and experiences that will constitute valuable legacy to all stakeholder communities.
- How do you think the current pandemic will affect the DISC project?
The pandemic had already affected DISC and the team has already had to adjust when and how training will have to be conducted. The benefit of this is that this is leading to a design of the training that will be more resilient to disruptions like this. More generally, I think (I hope) that the pandemic actually has a positive effect on disability research, maybe highlighting how some of the new ways people now have to conduct research and engage professionally with others can actually be beneficial to more inclusive practice, in particular for the inclusion of researchers with disability.
- If you could give one message to people about disability right now, what would it be?
For those who are not closely connected with people with disability, particularly within research environments, don’t let your bias and preconceptions about disability hamper your judgement. Or you will lose out on potential talents and diversity, that are collectively conducive of innovation.