Karen Alexander
Karen is Co-Founder of XR Women and
Director of Compliance for MetaVRse
The Ambassador to the 3rd Polys Awards Producer of the Poly Awards and WebXR Summit Series and
hosted the WebXR Education Summit
Dr. Karen Alexander is a highly regarded consultant known for her expertise in developing cutting-edge immersive learning programs. With an extensive network within the XR industry and academia, she has a proven track record of guiding higher education institutions through the successful adoption of XR technologies.
Dr. Alexander is also a trusted advisor for XR startups. In her role as an immersive learning consultant at MetaVRse, Dr. Alexander played a pivotal part in transforming 2D training into immersive 3D experiences for enterprises. Her strategic insights have been instrumental in guiding the Canadian XR startup on matters of governance, risk, and compliance.
As a co-founder of XR Women, Dr. Alexander has established a global network of women professionals in immersive tech, hosting over 150 events with distinguished XR industry speakers. As a core team member, she has significantly contributed to The Polys - WebXR Awards, WebXR Summit Series, and MetaTr@versal, collaborating with influential thought leaders in spatial computing.
In July 2022, Dr. Alexander hosted the WebXR Education Summit, convening a diverse array of practitioners to share insights on the successful implementation of immersive learning. She is a member of the Immersive Learning Research Network’s State of XR and Immersive Learning Expert Panel and serves as an External Expert for the Evaluating, Piloting, and Implementing Virtual Worlds in Higher Education Project at the University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna.
Prior to her work in XR, Dr. Alexander served as the Dean of Junior and Senior Year Programs at the women’s college at Rutgers University and was the Senior Editor of Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society. Her comprehensive experience in higher education spans teaching, program design, journal editing, and college administration, with specializations in art, literature, film, and cultural production. Dr. Alexander is a passionate advocate for women’s advancement and gender and racial equality, and she believes in a humanity-first approach to XR and the metaverse. Certified in Cybersecurity by ISC2, she holds master’s degrees in English, Philosophy, and Issues in Modern Culture, and earned her PhD at the University of London. Dr. Alexander's multifaceted expertise and commitment to innovation make her a valuable asset in any immersive learning or XR initiative.