#1716: “Human Spatial Computing” is a Human-Rights-Centered Textbook for XR Design

#1716: “Human Spatial Computing” is a Human-Rights-Centered Textbook for XR Design

From Voices of VR by Kent Bye

May 10, 2026 · 1h 28m

About this episode

The episode features an interview with the co-authors of the Human Spatial Computing book, discussing its focus on human rights and ethics in XR design.

The Human Spatial Computing book was published by Oxford University Press on February 5, 2026, and I had a chance to interview the co-authors Reginé Gilbert and Doug North Cook a few weeks after it launched. They alternative as the lead author on each chapter, which provides a comprehensive overview of designing for XR through a variety of different lenses. The entire book is grounded in human rights and ethics, with a recurring focus on how to design experiences that are inclusive and accessible to as diverse of an audience as possible. There's a helpful recap of the history of human computer interaction that goes way back to desire to recreate reality with the Leonardo da Vinci paintings and the imaginative worldbuilding creating new realities by science fiction writers. Other topics covered include insights from universal design principles, industrial design affordances, architecture, neuroscience, and ethics. Here's a list of the chapters of the book, which we also do a brief recap and overview throughout the course of this interview. Why Should We Care about Ethics? The Story of Human–Computer Interaction What Connects Us All Universal Design for Spatial Computing Merging…

People in this episode

Host: Kent Bye

Guests: Reginé Gilbert, Doug North Cook

Topics covered

  • XR design
  • human rights
  • ethics
  • universal design
  • human-computer interaction
  • inclusive design

Keywords

  • XR
  • human rights
  • ethics
  • inclusive design
  • universal design
  • human-computer interaction
  • spatial computing

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Oxford University Press

Books & works: Human Spatial Computing

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