Immersive Analytics: Visualising Data in the Space Around Us

Immersive Analytics explores the use of emerging display and interaction technologies to bring data out of computers and into the world around us.
Tracked VR headset displays offer some distinct advantages over traditional desktop data visualisation such as true 3D rendering of spatial data and natural physical navigation. AR headsets offer further advantages, such as the possibility of embedding data visualisations into our natural environment or workplace. Another advantage that has been touted for immersive representation of data and complex systems is the idea that
“embodied interaction”
supports sensemaking.
However, “sensemaking” is a very high-level cognitive activity and strong links between embodiment and sensemaking are not well established. In this talk we first review systems and techniques for immersive analytics, particularly those from the Data Visualisation and Immersive Analytics lab at Monash University, and then we look more closely at developments in understanding
“embodied sensemaking”. We argue that a better understanding of how embodiment relates to sensemaking will be key to creating a new generation of tools that help people to work effectively in an increasingly complex and data rich world.