Welcome to the Global Smart Lab
The Global Smart Lab draws together notable expertise from across the School, regarding creative computing, AR/VR and AI technology; Inclusive Design methodologies; smart service design; smart textiles; and data visualisation. It connects with the School’s other labs: Data Image Lab (and Design Studio); Materials Lab; and Social Lab. Together the labs represent interdisciplinary methodological ‘spaces’ and infrastructure that bring together people, facilities, technologies, ideas and experimentation. As part of the wider University, the School is able to connect across to key areas in computing, engineering, physics, life sciences, health, and marine sciences. Notable connections include the Web Science Institute, Social Data Foundation, Life Sciences Institute, the National Oceanography Centre, Research Centre on Ageing, and Alan Turing Institute (based at the British Library).
The Global Smart Lab was established to advance research at the interface of art and design with respect to smart technologies, experiences and living. Ranging across the domains of health, well-being, education, learning, and leisure, the Lab is focused on core challenges relating to the futures of AI, AR, and VR, social and smart technologies, inclusivity, data culture, and sustainability. Central to the work of the lab are its critical & creative methods, interdisciplinary investigations, international collaborations, and its commitment to sustaining a global, network of hubs and pop-up labs.
Current areas of interest/activity at WSA include immersive design for museum and education contexts; smart service design for ageing populations; AI-enabled processes for creativity; smart textiles for health and well-being; and zero waste/sustainability.
Featured Research
Mixed Reality Smart Fitness: Rethinking Personal Training for the Virtual Age
A Global Smart Lab Innovation At the Global Smart Lab, we’re exploring how immersive technologies can improve lives—not just entertain or educate, but transform. We're currently developing a new kind of fitness experience: a Mixed Reality Smart Fitness Platform that combines Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and motion capture into one adaptable and inclusive system. This isn’t just about exercise. It’s about access, inclusion, and connection. Our aim is to reimagine what personal training could look like for people who can’t—or choose not to—go to the gym. Whether due to physical limitations, lifestyle constraints, or personal preference, this platform... Read More
Virtual Exhibition as a Portal to Authentic Art Experiences
An Immersive Reproduction Project from the Global Smart Lab At the Global Smart Lab, based at Winchester School of Art, we’re asking: How can we make powerful cultural experiences more accessible, inclusive, and lasting? This immersive project tackles that question head-on by using virtual reality not as a gimmick or side feature, but as the main portal to experience a world-class exhibition. We virtually reproduced Following the Fish—a architectural exhibition from the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale—at full scale, complete with interactive elements, authentic lighting, soundscapes, and 3D-scanned installations. This work is more than preservation. It’s about reimagining what it means... Read More
Virtual Reality (VR) Grocery Shopping:
Enhancing Accessibility for Older Adults Introduction The aging population in the UK is growing, with estimates predicting that 27% of the population will be aged 65 and over by 2072. Grocery shopping is a crucial service for older adults, significantly impacting their health and well-being. However, many retailers fail to provide an accessible shopping experience for this demographic, with challenges ranging from store navigation to transportation and digital divide issues. With the digital revolution transforming consumer habits, Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as a potential solution to bridge the gap between traditional and online shopping experiences. This research explores the... Read More
Meet Our Team
Dr. Ramy Hammady
Dr. Ramy Hammady is a Senior Lecturer in Design Leadership at the University of Southampton,... Read More
Dr Ruohan Tang
Dr Ruohan Tang is a Teaching Fellow at the Winchester School of Art, University of... Read More
Prof. Yuanyuan Yin
Professor Yuanyuan Yin is Professor of Design Department and Director of The Global Smart Lab... Read More