About

The Simulation User Research Game Experience Lab, or SURGE Lab, is dedicated to advancing research in Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Extended Reality (XR), and Mixed Reality (MR).  The lab is housed in the Department of Learning Technologies in the College of Information at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas.  The lab is run by Dr. Aleshia Hayes, who founded the lab in 2016 at Purdue, Fort Wayne.

Research Goals

The XR SURGE (Simulation User Game Experience and Game Experience) Lab is an extended reality research lab founded in 2016. Our research focuses on the use of emergent technologies, especially extended realities such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) technology. Our research applies XR and game technologies to better understand and resolve key educational and social challenges, while improving entrepreneurship and STEM learning among diverse communities. 

Some of our successful past projects have included prototypes used by adult education and training programs, including those teaching ROTC cadets, manufacturing and sales learners, and job interview trainees.