The team from the Center for Simulation and Synthetic Humans (The Center), in collaboration with Dr. Jason Kautz of the UT Dallas Jindal School of Management (JSOM), was awarded the 2023 JSOM/STEAM Collaboration Grant. The $25,000 seed funding provides resources for the actualization of conceptual, cross-disciplinary research projects. Dr. Kautz is an assistant professor of the organizations, strategy, and international management group, with expertise in workplace social dynamics and social strategy. The proposal, “CSWITCH-SIM: Developing Self-Awareness and Understanding Workplace Effects of Code-Switching through Virtual Reality to Enhance STEM Participation of Underserved Communities,” aims to develop a unique approach for applying virtual reality role-play to examine the process of code-switching as a workplace social dynamic, and its effects on individual and team outcomes to increase underrepresented workers in STEM fields.
