Dr. Kim Johnson Hyatt is the Executive Director of the Heinz XR Lab and Lending Library. She is also a communications professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College. Her core communication courses are renowned for their innovative use of technology, integrating generative AI and XR.
Professor Hyatt's research focuses on multi-user XR experiences to improve workplace communication skills. Specifically, she teaches students how to build professional relationships in XR through avatar interactions, as well as how to deliver dynamic presentations and training sessions tailored to specific audiences. In her classes, students are actively engaged in co-creation work sessions to foster meaningful connections and drive innovation in the XR industry.
In 2018, Professor Hyatt established a pioneering virtual reality lab at Heinz College, which has become a cornerstone for cutting-edge research to improve students' communication skills. Her groundbreaking work in this area was recognized with the prestigious 2020 Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Teaching Innovation Award. During Covid-19 lockdown, Kim demonstrated remarkable adaptability by creating a course, Communication in XR (94-718). CMU shipped headsets worldwide and this course was delivered as a multi-user experience in the Metaverse.
Since starting her lab and teaching in the Metaverse, Kim's commitment to advancing XR technology extends beyond the classroom. She actively collaborates with industry leaders to develop innovative XR tools for professional use. Her dedication to broadening the accessibility of XR technology is evident in her efforts to expand her lab and establish a lending library, ensuring that students, faculty, and staff have ample opportunities to engage with and benefit from XR technology.
Through her visionary leadership and innovative research, Dr. Kim Johnson Hyatt continues to shape the future of communication and XR technology at Carnegie Mellon University and beyond.
