Biography
Dr Iain McGregor, Associate Professor at Edinburgh Napier University, specialises in interactive media design and auditory perception research. His PhD in soundscape mapping examined how sound designers’ expectations compare with listeners’ experiences. With over 30 years of experience, he has worked across film, video games, theatre, radio, television, mixed reality, robotics, and auditory displays, exploring soundscapes, sonification, and human interaction. His patent Evaluation of Auditory Capabilities (WO2024041821A1) informs accessibility, user experience design, and auditory technologies. His research extends to human-robot interaction, where he investigates how naming conventions influence perceptions of robotic personalities, as well as sonification for scientific analysis, auditory alerts in healthcare and transportation, and immersive audio in virtual and mixed reality. Dr McGregor collaborates with industry and academia, applying his expertise to film, robotics, and interactive media. He integrates auditory technologies with creative methods and currently consults for companies in mixed reality and robotics, shaping advanced auditory interfaces. Alongside research, he mentors MSc and PhD students, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among designers, engineers, and cognitive scientists. He also contributes to curriculum development, aligning courses with advancements in sound and interactive media design.