AF® Sustainability & InclusionCase 03 / Sustainability & Inclusion
Equity, diversity & inclusionAcademic research2022

Inclusion
verso.

Human and robotic hands reaching towards one another

Can virtual spaces become more inclusive — or will they reproduce the inequalities of the physical world?

Starting point
“When everyone
is included,
everyone wins.”
OverviewResearch snapshot · 2022

A data-led exploration of whether virtual environments can offer more freedom, representation and connection to people who feel excluded, insecure or constrained by expectations in everyday life.

Role
Research & analysis
Data storytelling
Topic
DEI in virtual
environments
Output
Research presentation
Visual communication
01 / Signals

A future taking
shape in data.

Google Trends comparison from the original study
Search interestGoogle Trends
Metaverse expectations chart from the original study
Common expectationsStatista · 2022
Representation data chart from the original study
RepresentationStudy data
02 / The tension

Opportunity
meets risk.

Potential

Freedom to express and connect.

Benefits of the metaverse chart from the original study
Concern

Existing harm can follow us online.

Risks of the metaverse table from the original study
14%

Only 14% of surveyed internet users in the original research expressed interest in government regulation of the metaverse.

Statista · 2022, as cited in the original project
03 / Two sides

Visibility is not
the same as safety.

The study juxtaposed declining positive social experiences in online games with evidence of harassment and unsafe behaviour. Representation matters, but it needs accessible design, community standards and active moderation around it.

Positive social experiences in online games chart
Facebook metaverse safety research visual used in the original project
04 / Examples

Inclusion,
made visible.

01 / Accessibility

FIFA 23

The study highlighted how bringing accessibility settings into the main menu can make support easier to discover and use, including visual, audio and controller options.

FIFA 23 example from the original Inclusionverso study
02 / Representation

Apex Legends

A broader mix of gender identities, sexual orientations and ethnic backgrounds showed how character design can help more players recognise themselves in a virtual world.

Apex Legends example from the original Inclusionverso study
03 / Community

Fortnite

Pride-themed avatar releases and creator collaborations were used as examples of visibility translating into a positive community response.

Fortnite example from the original Inclusionverso study
05 / Conclusion

Inclusion is
not automatic.

Virtual environments can create new ways to express identity and build community. But technology does not erase discrimination by itself: inclusion must be intentionally designed, protected and continuously evaluated.

Inclusive character design example from the original study

All statistics, examples and platform references are presented in their original 2022 research context and should not be read as current platform data.

Inclusionverso / Social sustainability

Different identities.
Equal space.

View Sustainability & Inclusion