This is my primary area of research. I don't currently have any PhD students working in this area with me, so if you would like to then please contact me!

I am best known for my research into the navigation of 3D virtual environments, but am growing ever more interested in the navigation of information spaces such as the World-wide Web, which is one of the great human factors challenges of our time. Associated with this is my interest in the Memories for Life Grand Challenge.

Recent examples of my research are:

• Ruddle, R. A. (2006). Using String-matching to Analyze Hypertext Navigation. Proceedings of the 17th ACM Conference on Hypertext and Hypermedia (HT'06),
• Ruddle, R. A., & Lessels, S. (2006). For efficient navigational search humans require full physical movement but not a rich visual scene. Psychological Science, 17, 460-465. Video
49-52.

Previous projects

• Understanding disorientation in cluttered virtual environments (EPSRC Grant GR/R55818/01 (2001-4)
• How can we reduce disorientation when people navigate in VR worlds? (British Council/Alliance 1999-2000)
• Human factors aspects of remote workstations (DERA 1999-2000)
• Navigating discontinuous virtual worlds: The role of cognitive maps and wayfinding aids (EPSRC 1997-8)

Previous PhD students

Simon Lessels (2005) Thesis title: The effects of fidelity on navigation in virtual environments Funded by the disorientation in VEs EPSRC project