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My Self, My Avatar, My Identity: Diversity and Inclusivity within Virtual Worlds

IoDF is a pioneering new era institute bringing disruptive change to a broken system by leading the fashion industry towards a more inclusive, democratic and sustainable future. Portrayals of avatars within virtual worlds often call for broader representation, with race, gender and sexuality being generalised. Acknowledging the importance of representation within these spaces, IoDF are undertaking a research study into how identity expression can be more freely represented through the use of avatars. We invite you to answer the below questions with an honest, unbiased approach informed by your own experiences on diversity and inclusivity. All answers are anonymous and for internal research purposes only.

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* 1. Select your age group:

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* 2. What gender identity do you most identify with?

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* 3. What is your ethnicity? 

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* 4. Do you engage with virtual worlds? If so, where?

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* 5. Why do you engage with virtual worlds? What is your main objective? E.g escapism, social connection.

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* 6. When creating digital avatars, do you seek to represent yourself or to create a sense of self that is free of your IRL identity?

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* 7. Does your IRL identity correlate with your URL identity? If so, how?

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* 8. Do you feel that software companies and individual makers should conduct research when creating digital avatars that represent communities they are not from?

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* 9. How important is gender representation to you within virtual experiences? 

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i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 10. How important is the use of pronouns when self-identifying within virtual worlds and why? E.g. X Æ A-Xii, 22, they/them 

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* 11. What features/attributes are most important to you when creating an avatar? (Please list examples).

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* 12. Do you believe having the option for blue skin in virtual avatars allows people to not be defined by skin tone?

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* 13. How do you feel is the best way to represent skin tone within virtual avatars?

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* 14. How important is customisation when creating virtual avatars and why?

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* 15. How can body modification be authentically represented within avatar creation? (Please list examples).

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* 16. How can hair choices when creating avatars be more inclusive? (Please list examples).

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* 17. Do you feel that there is under representation of minority groups in virtual spaces? If so, why? 

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* 18. How can people with disabilities be better represented within avatar creation? E.g wheelchair users, people who have hearing or vision loss. (Please list examples)

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* 19. How can body size be better represented when creating avatars? (Please list examples)

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* 20. Do you feel there is a lack of inclusive clothing within virtual worlds? If yes, why?

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* 21. What clothing would you like to see in virtual worlds? (Please list examples).

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* 22. How do you think cultural/religious clothing could be better represented in virtual worlds? (Please list examples).

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* 23. How would you best describe your URL style?

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* 24. How do you feel you could be better represented within virtual worlds?

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* 25. Please share your thoughts on how virtual worlds can be more diverse and inclusive. 

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