Anca Salagean

Anca Salagean is a Research Associate at the University of Bath's Bath Institute for the Augmented Human, specializing in virtual reality and human-computer interaction. Her recent doctoral work focused on photorealistic avatar embodiment, with applications spanning moral decision-making in autonomous vehicles, co-located VR gaming, and theatrical rehearsal systems.

Her research interests center on Virtual Reality embodiment, avatar personalization, and psychological ownership in immersive environments. Key investigations include how photorealistic avatars affect self-identification, moral choices in simulated dilemmas, and collaborative experiences in social VR spaces. Her work bridges human psychology with cutting-edge visualization techniques.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on applied VR ethics and human factors, particularly in automotive contexts and performance arts. The research demonstrates consistent methodological rigor through controlled experiments measuring embodiment metrics, user perception, and behavioral outcomes in virtual environments.

Anca completed her PhD thesis titled "Embodiment of Personalized Avatars in Virtual Reality" in June 2024 under supervisors D. Stanton Fraser and D. Cosker. Her doctoral work has generated significant academic interest, with her 2023 CHI publication on virtual twins accumulating 39 citations. Current projects involve XR mobile displays for VR observers and utilitarian decision-making frameworks in semi-autonomous vehicles.