December 19, 2025 – 1:00 p.m. On-site and online session (Room M204, Faculty of Psychology and Speech Therapy). Language: English.

Francisco Rocabado

Universidad de Nebrija

This talk addresses the need to transcend traditional laboratory paradigms in order to explore human reading in more ecologically valid environments. A line of research will be presented, grounded in the validation and application of Virtual Reality (VR) as a rigorous experimental tool. The session is structured around three key studies. First, the capacity of VR to replicate classical cognitive tasks with the same precision as desktop computers will be briefly demonstrated, ensuring the necessary experimental control. Next, the methodological foundations for transitioning linguistic research into virtual environments will be established. Finally, as a practical application of these new dynamics, the study Weathering Words will be presented—an investigation in which the virtual environment (climatic conditions) is manipulated to analyze its direct influence on reading dynamics, demonstrating the potential of VR to capture the complexity of reading in realistic scenarios.

Bio

Francisco Rocabado’s research specializes in experimentation through Virtual Reality, with an approach that goes beyond the mere replication of classical paradigms. His main objective is to improve the quality and warmth of the experimental experience with humans, designing more organic protocols that overcome the rigidity and artificiality of traditional laboratory settings. His technical profile spans from editing 3D environments and programming tasks to recording complex metrics such as movement trajectories and eye movements, in order to achieve a deeper and more holistic understanding of cognitive behavior.