Steven Cook

Mr Steven Cook

Senior Lecturer

School of Humanities

Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics

Steven Cook, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Realities Extended business unit ( https://arts.adelaide.edu.au/realities-extended/ ), specialises in immersive technology (VR (Virtual Reality), MR (Mixed Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality)), and mobile/ubiquitous technology research and development.

With both academic and industry experience spanning countries such as Japan, Taiwan and Australia, Steven has led numerous immersive and mobile/ubiquitous technology projects for both internal academic stakeholders and large scale governmental/industry stakeholders.

Steven has been an invited speaker on the topic of VR/SVEs for the Australian Government, and the International Workshop on the Educational Applications of 3D Multi-User Interactive Environments held in Taiwan, and an invited Program Committee Member for conferences held through Australasia.

Steven's current research interests are surrounding the use of biometrics and analytics within VR (Virtual Reality) and MR (Mixed Reality) simulations to add quantitative analysis mechanisms.

Please see 'Grants and Funding' section.

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2019 - ongoing Senior Lecturer The University of Adelaide
    2018 - 2019 Lecturer The University of Adelaide
    2016 - 2018 Learning Designer The University of Adelaide
    2001 - 2015 Lecturer Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

  • Journals
    Year Citation
    2023 Blanco, D., Roberts, R. M., Gannoni, A., & Cook, S. (2023). Assessment and treatment of mental health conditions in children and adolescents: A systematic scoping review of how virtual reality environments have been used.. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry, 29(3), 1070-1086.
    DOI Scopus6 Europe PMC2
    2015 Cook, S. A., Ogata, H., Elwell, M. G., & Ikeda, M. (2015). Acculturation in context: knowledge sharing through ubiquitous technologies. Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning, 10(1), 27 pages.
    DOI

  • Book Chapters
    Year Citation
    - Medeni, T. D., Elwell, M., Cook, S. A., & de Souza, E. G. M. (n.d.). Learning Reflection and Creativity in Online Game Communities. In Virtual Communities (pp. 1760-1772). IGI Global.
    DOI

  • Conference Papers
    Year Citation
    2014 Elwell, M., Lin, T. J., Cook, S., Martin, C., Terrillon, J. C., & Lan, Y. J. (2014). Sauce for the goose? Testing SVECTAT in Japan and Taiwan. In Proceedings of the 22nd International Conference on Computers in Education Icce 2014 (pp. 785-789).
    2013 Cook, S. A., Ogata, H., Elwell, M. G., & Ikeda, M. (2013). Acculturation in context: Knowledge sharing through ubiquitous technologies. In Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Computers in Education Icce 2013 (pp. 508-517).
    2013 Elwell, M. G., Terrillon, J. C., & Cook, S. A. (2013). Apples and oranges? Second Life vs. OpenSim for language learning. In Workshop Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Computers in Education Icce 2013 (pp. 46-51).
    2013 Cook, S. A., Ogata, H., & Elwell, M. G. (2013). Meta-documentation: The dissemination of the tacit knowledge inherently attached to organisational documents. In Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Computers in Education Icce 2013 (pp. 539-543).
    2013 Elwell, M. G., Cook, S. A., Guenter, M. E., & Elwell, M. J. (2013). Half-full or half-empty: Digital entertainment games for 21st century education. In Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Computers in Education Icce 2013 (pp. 627-632).
    2012 Elwell, M., Elwell, M., & Cook, S. (2012). Beating the odds - The successful online game community of DeX. In Joint Proceedings of the Work in Progress Poster and Invited Young Researcher Symposium at the 18th International Conference on Computers in Education Icce 2010 (pp. 53-55).
    2012 Cook, S., Elwell, M., & Leigh, M. (2012). Classroom learning, virtual world application - Developing the SVECTAT method. In Joint Proceedings of the Work in Progress Poster and Invited Young Researcher Symposium at the 18th International Conference on Computers in Education Icce 2010 (pp. 50-52).
    Scopus2
    2010 Leigh, M., Elwell, M. G., & Cook, S. (2010). Recreating ancient Egyptian culture in second life. In Digitel 2010 the 3rd IEEE International Conference on Digital Game and Intelligent Toy Enhanced Learning (pp. 114-118). IEEE.
    DOI Scopus5
    2010 Elwell, M., Cook, S., Leigh, M., & Elwell, M. (2010). Around the worlds - Testing the SVECTAT method. In Workshop Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Computers in Education Icce 2010 (pp. 268-273).
    Scopus2
    2009 Elwell, M., Cook, S., Leigh, M., & Terrillon, J. C. (2009). Shared virtual environment complementing task achievement training. In Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Computers in Education Icce 2009 (pp. 757-759).
    Scopus5
    2007 Cook, S. A., Elwell, M. G., & Medeni, T. D. (2007). New voices for the digitally deaf: Vocoder technology to create articulate speech for objects. In 15th International Conference on Computers in Education Supporting Learning Flow Through Integrative Technologies Icce 2007.

  • Conference Items
    Year Citation
    2022 Millar, S., O'Rielly, J., McConnochie, G., Blencowe, M., Turner, L., Wiederman, S., . . . Thewlis, D. (2022). Moving from the lab to the field: accuracy and reliability of wearable sensors in the estimation of lower limb joint kinematics. Poster session presented at the meeting of Defence Human Sciences Symposium.
    2022 O'Rielly, J., Millar, S., Blencowe, M., Turner, L., Wiederman, S., Palmer, E., . . . Ma-Wyatt, A. (2022). Visual perceptual performance during locomotion: implications for information display technologies. Poster session presented at the meeting of Defence Human Sciences Symposium.
    2019 Tan, P., Cook, S., & Silveira, T. M. (2019). The Future of Music Therapy: Implications of a Virtual Reality program at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.. Poster session presented at the meeting of RMSANZ (Rehabilitation Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand).

  • Live Performance of Creative Works
    Year Citation
    2025 Cook, S., Schoemaker, E., Hall, M., & Castle, T. (2025). Neon Canvas - A Multi-User Interactive Art Installation on Large Scale LED (Light Emitting Diode) Wall Displays (No. Of Pieces: Running from the 8th of January to the 26th of January) [Visual, Audio Interactive Experience]. ILA (Immersive Light and Art).
    2023 Chan, O. Y., & Cook, S. (2023). The Dreamland: Isthmus - Interactive performance via the use of experimental AR (Augmented Reality) and escape game methodology (No. Of Pieces: 2 days) [Performance]. The Joiners, Hindmarsh: Adelaide Fringe Festival.

  • Curated or Produced Public Exhibition or Events
    Year Citation
    2021 Hajdu, T., Cook, S., & Humphrey, A. (2021). Art of the Possible: Art Tech: Art  and Technology Exhibition (No. Of Pieces: 4 day festival) [Festival]. University of Adelaide: https://artofthepossible.com.au.

Cook S. Commercial Accelerator Scheme (CAS) funding: Interactive particle creation tool (2023-2024) $80,000

Cook S. Immersive Data Visualisation - Internal research support competitive funding (2022) $5000

Aaron H., Cook S., Amit S.  Building Memories - The use of VR (Virtual Reality) to consume traditional art within context. [Digi+ FAME Accelerate Grant] (2022) $10,000

Cook S., Rolan P.  NALHN Innovation Program - Use of a virtual reality music and movement tool to improve pain and rehabilitation outcomes in a population with currently poor outcomes. $10,000

Palmer E., Culton J., Searston R., Bennett T., Cook S., Davies M., Ding B., Robertson W., Turnbull D. (2022). Developing situational awareness in lunar exploration activities. [Digi+ FAME Accelerate Grant]. University of Adelaide $100,000

Ma-Wyatt A., Cook S., Thewlis D., and Palmer E. Investigation of the Impact of placement of visual information in the visual field on a user’s ability to navigate in the environment and deploy attention/ Impact of latency on human perception and physical movement. Australian Government. (2020-2023), $1,150,777.00

Palmer E., Cook S. Situational Awareness in virtual reality. Australian Government (2019), $13,000

Palmer E., Cook S. Design of VR experiences in medicine. AGD. (2018-2019), $14,000

Cook S., Palmer E. Design of VR experiences in medicine. AES. (2018), $20,000

Palmer E., Cook S. Situational Awareness in virtual reality. Australian Government (2018), $60,000

Cook S., Ikeda M. Educational Program for International Communication.  This project used online software to facilitate a metacognitive approach to inter-cultural communication. Kagaku Kenkyu. (2013) $8,000 AUD equivalent

Cook S., Elwell M., Medeni T. New Voices for the Digitally Deaf: Vocoder Technology to Create Articulate Speech for Objects. Nakayama Foundation 2007 $11,000 AUD equivalent

Steven is:

  • Program Director for the Master of Immersive Media Technologies
  • Course Coordinator for the Department of Media

Steven specialises in and teaches:

  • Virtual, Mixed and Augmented Realities - including 3D modelling, texture painting, HCI (Human Computer Interface) design, programming, sound engineering/design, and platform targeting
  • Movement based analytics within immersive technology platforms
  • Simulation based HCI (Human Computer Interaction), including physiological response characteristics
  • Immersive technology business frameworks
  • Interdisciplinary research with interactive digital systems and art 

Recent awards and results:

  • Winner the 'Dean's Commendation for Outstanding Teaching in Response to Covid-19'
  • Student feedback (SELTs) among the highest in the university

  • Consulting/Advisories
    Date Institution Department Organisation Type Country
    2021 - ongoing The University of Adelaide Realities Extended Business and professional Australia
    2020 - ongoing The University of Adelaide Faculty of Arts Business and professional Australia
    2013 - 2017 NTNU (National Taiwan Normal University) Department of Applied Chinese Language and Culture School or college Taiwan, Province of China
    2000 - 2001 Ishikawa Public Education Komatsu Exchange Business and professional Japan
  • Position: Senior Lecturer
  • Phone: 83131441
  • Email: steve.cook@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Napier, floor 3
  • Org Unit: School of Humanities
Connect With Me
External Profiles