Extended Reality (XR) is redefining how we learn, work, and connect. But despite the innovation happening in this space, there’s still a significant gender gap. That’s why this webinar was special. It brought together a powerhouse of women leading XR innovation across Europe, offering their perspectives on the industry, the challenges they face, and what needs to change.
Why Women in XR Matters
Technology shapes the future. And if only a narrow group of people are building it, that future won’t work for everyone.
Female voices in XR are essential not just for representation, but for innovation. Diverse teams create better products and more human-centered immersive experiences. Yet, women remain underrepresented in both tech and immersive industries. This webinar, organized in collaboration with leading EU XR projects, set out to spotlight and support the women who are pushing boundaries.
Meet the Experts Driving Change
The session was moderated by Regina Van Tongeren from Women in Immersive Tech, who guided an inspiring and honest conversation.
Speakers included:
- Grace Dinan from TRANSMIXR
- Leesa Joyce and Moonisa Ahsan from VOXReality
- Megha Quamara from SERMAS
- Georgia Papaioannou from HECOF
- Maria Madarieta from MASTERXR
- Marievi Xezonaki from CORTEX2
These women are working at the forefront of European XR, contributing to projects that shape education, training, creativity, and accessibility.
Real Talk: Challenges and Progress
Each speaker shared their journey—the career shifts, the moments of self-doubt, and the constant learning curve that comes with being in a fast-evolving space. But they also shared their wins.
From leading development teams to designing inclusive learning environments using XR, their stories reflected both the hurdles and the breakthroughs. A recurring theme was the importance of mentorship, supportive communities, and creating work environments where different perspectives are welcomed.
What Needs to Change
One insight echoed across the panel: Visibility matters.
More women in leadership roles, more female XR creators in the spotlight, and more funding directed toward women-led initiatives can start to shift the landscape. The group also emphasized the need to rethink how we define “expertise” in tech. Soft skills, creative thinking, and storytelling are just as crucial in XR as coding and engineering.
Why It Matters for the Future of XR
As XR moves from hype to real-world use cases, there’s a huge opportunity to build an ecosystem that’s inclusive from the ground up. Education, healthcare, arts, and industry are all being reshaped by immersive tech. When diverse voices are involved from the beginning, the end products are more inclusive, ethical, and impactful.
In Collaboration With
This event was brought together by a collaborative effort across HECOF sister projects including: VOXReality, SERMAS, XR4ED, TRANSMIXR, HECOF, MASTERXR, and CORTEX2.