Kaja Antlej

Dr Kaja Antlej is a Senior Lecturer in Industrial Design at Deakin University's School of Engineering within the Faculty of Science Engineering and Built Environment. She is also Co-founder of HuTech – Human-Centric Technologies Research Group and Researcher at the CADET Virtual Reality Training and Simulation Research Lab. With dual Slovenian and Australian citizenship, she brings extensive international experience from Europe, Morocco, Japan, and Australia to her academic work.

Her educational background includes a Doctor of Science in Humanities and Social Sciences (Heritology/Museum and Heritage Studies) from the University of Ljubljana (2009-2013), a Master of Design in Industrial Design from the same institution (2002-2008), and an Executive Certificate in Space Studies from the International Space University (2021).

• BSc/MSc in Industrial Design (2008), University of Ljubljana
• PhD in Museum and Heritage Studies (2013), University of Ljubljana
• Graduate Certificate of Higher Ed. Learning & Teaching (2016-2017), Deakin University
• Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program 2021 (SHSSP21)

Dr Antlej's research focuses on designing meaningful immersive extended reality (XR) experiences to improve well-being for people in isolation, including astronauts on long-duration space missions, Antarctic residents, ICU patients, older adults in aged-care facilities, and international students. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates museum and heritage content with AI, affective computing, engineering, science, and creative disciplines. She has developed a strong expertise in the space sector through the Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program 2021 and currently serves as Chair of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Melbourne Section and member of the International Astronautical Federation's Committee for the Cultural Utilisation of Space (ITACCUS).

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent focus on virtual reality applications across multiple domains including healthcare (particularly stress and anxiety reduction in ICU settings), space exploration (addressing isolation and mental health), museum experiences, and educational contexts. Her work demonstrates increasing integration of interdisciplinary approaches, with recent publications incorporating Indigenous knowledge systems, sustainability frameworks, and transdisciplinary methodologies. The publications show progression from technical VR development toward more holistic applications addressing human well-being in extreme environments.

Her scientific recognition includes being an Endeavour Research Fellow (Postdoctoral Research, Australian Government) in 2015, along with entrepreneurial recognition through the Young Entrepreneur program and Young Researcher from Business initiatives.

• Endeavour Research Fellow (Postdoctoral Research, Australian Government)
• Young Entrepreneur – Participant of Enterprisingly into the business world (EC ESF Grant)
• Young Researcher from Business – Generation 2009 (EC ESF)

Dr Antlej has supervised numerous doctoral and master's students, with current and completed projects focusing on VR applications for wellbeing, space missions, museum experiences, and educational contexts. She has secured significant research funding including TruckWise Stage 2 ($390,000), Investigating VR Low Voltage Electrical Safety Rescue Simulation ($200,000), and Virtual Reality Heavy Vehicle Awareness Platform ($248,619), demonstrating strong industry collaboration.

She leads the HuTech – Human-Centric Technologies Research Group and contributes to the CADET Virtual Reality Training and Simulation Research Lab, where her team develops innovative XR applications for various sectors including healthcare, space exploration, and cultural heritage. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications through partnerships with organizations like Melbourne Water Corporation, Arts Centre Melbourne, and the City of Greater Bendigo.