Course Catalogue

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This course examines the theory and practice of digital engagement, storytelling, and participation across immersive technologies (XR) and participatory digital platforms within cultural heritage, memory institutions, and digital humanities contexts. Students critically engage with advanced concepts in emotionally resonant narrative design, multi-platform experiences, participatory practices, virtual curation, and the ethical dimensions of immersive and networked cultural environments. Through engagement with cutting-edge platforms and case studies, students develop skills in designing and evaluating and critically assessing digital storytelling and engagement experiences across multiple platforms for diverse audiences. The course addresses the transformative potential and challenges of digital technologies and participatory platforms for democratising access to cultural collections, while interrogating issues of authenticity, representation, participation, sustainability, and digital inclusion.

1 x 1 hour Lecture and 1 x 1 hour Seminar each week across 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus

Standard entry to Masters at College Level

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Design Proposal with Evaluation Framework - 100%

Project output: 4,000 words equivalent (comprising design documentation, visual materials, evaluation framework, and critical reflection; alternative formats including video presentation with supporting documentation are permitted with word-count equivalencies maintained).

This course aims to:

■ Advance critical understanding of digital engagement, storytelling theories, and participatory practices within immersive environments and participatory digital platforms for cultural heritage, archives, libraries, and digital humanities projects

■ Examine the role of emotion and engagement in digital cultural experiences, exploring how narrative structures, character development, interactive design, and participatory frameworks create meaningful connections between audiences and heritage

■ Develop practical competencies in designing and evaluating digital engagement and storytelling experiences using XR technologies and participatory digital platforms

■ Critically analyse immersive and networked environments (e.g. virtual museum projects, participatory digital initiatives) to understand the affordances and limitations of digital platforms in cultural contexts

■ Explore digital storytelling strategies across physical spaces, immersive environments, and participatory platforms, examining how narratives extend across multiple platforms to create cohesive cultural experiences

■ Investigate ethical, social, and professional dimensions of digital cultural engagement, including issues of access, representation and inclusion; sustainability and labour practices; and tensions between participatory innovation and preservation values

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Critically evaluate theoretical frameworks for digital engagement and storytelling in heritage contexts, including theories of interpretation, presence, and emotional engagement; narrative design models; and participatory media frameworks

2. Analyse case studies of digital storytelling and heritage engagement across immersive and networked platforms, understanding their methodologies, innovations, and implications for the cultural heritage sector

3. Design an engagement experience that integrates immersive and/or networked participatory elements, demonstrating understanding of narrative structure, audience engagement, user interaction, participatory practices, and cultural sensitivity

4. Apply appropriate evaluation methodologies to assess the effectiveness, accessibility, authenticity of participation, and user experience of immersive and networked heritage experiences at formative and summative stages

5. Synthesise knowledge from multiple disciplines (heritage studies, digital humanities, information studies, narrative theory, media studies, user experience design) to address complex problems in cultural technology

6. Demonstrate professional judgement in balancing innovation with ethical considerations, sustainability concerns, and institutional values when proposing digital technology interventions