At Hybrid Presence, we are about exploring the world of emerging technologies and how they can enhance our well-being. We are a Research Cluster dedicated to finding innovative solutions for social connectivity in this age of hybrid presence.

The evolution of the hybridity of presence is fast accelerating, sped up by technologies resulting from the global pandemic, as we all engage in online and physical (hybrid) realtime experiences. We are now living in a world where we seamlessly blend our online and physical experiences in real-time. Virtual physical blending has become an essential exploration for our involvement in social, professional and educational life.  

As media artists and practitioners, we bring a wealth of knowledge about how technology impacts our lives to the global debate. We dive deep into topics like extended reality (XR), body-tracking tech, telematic interactions, and immersive virtual worlds. We also collaborate with a network of experts from various fields to explore the future of hybrid presence and share knowledge.

Currently, we’re focused on three exciting areas:

• Connected Digital Human Twins: We’re fascinated by the idea of creating digital twins of ourselves, and we’re exploring how they can evolve in our increasingly connected world.
• AI & Voice for Social Connectedness: Artificial intelligence and voice technologies have a big role to play in keeping us socially connected. We’re investigating how they can enhance our relationships and interactions.
• Hybrid Real-Time Body-Tracking Tech: Technology has opened up new possibilities for performance and rituals. We’re exploring how real-time body-tracking tech can be used to create unique and immersive experiences.

Hybrid Presence is a collaborative project led by Ghislaine Boddington, Maria Almena, and Olive Gingrich. We’re proud to have the support of several organisations, including the University of Greenwich, Kimatica Studio, and BDS Creative Ltd  body>data/space and The Analema Group.