Dr Vanja Garaj is Reader in Design and Director of Research and Innovation at Brunel Design School, Brunel University London, where he also lectures on the Professional Design Studio module within the MSc Integrated Product Design programme.

Dr Garaj’s research spans the areas of User Experience (UX), Human-Computer Interaction and Inclusive Design, with the focus on different applications of immersive technologies, including in the cultural sector. He currently leads several research projects financed by the UK Government; for example: Inclusive Immersion and Towards an Equitable Social VR, both funded by EPSRC: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and StoryFutures China: UK-China Transnational Strategic Partnership for Immersive Storytelling in Museums and Other Cultural Institutions funded by AHRC: Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Vanja likes to travel and enjoys street photography. In 2014, he held a solo photography exhibition at Gallery Koprivnica, on which occasion the gallery also published his photo-monograph titled Vanja Garaj: Crossing Over, with an essay by Marijan Špoljar.