#introduction

SIM Lab @ SIUE

SOCIAL & INTERACTIVE MEDIA LAB @ SIUE

The SIM Lab @ SIUE is a means of collecting the work of Dr. Leith and his collaborators at SIUE under a single umbrela. The creation of the lab allows Leith and the other Mass Communications faculty to seek more diverse funding opoprtunities while still applying for project specific grants related to social and interactive media. This about page lists the work created since Leith was hired. In the future, any work completed under the umbrella of the SIM Lab @ SIUE, regardless of Leith's involvement, will also be included.

Twitter: @APLeith
Email: aleith@siue.edu
Github: @SIM-Lab-SIUE

#current students

Recruiting Students

I am currently in the process of recruiting students to participate in a variety of social and interactive media research projects. I welcome students from all levels and disciplines. There are a variety of tasks that you can do.I am excited to invite students from all levels and disciplines to join a range of engaging social and interactive media research projects. Your unique perspectives and skills can make a real difference. There are numerous tasks available that will allow you to contribute meaningfully while gaining valuable experience. Don’t miss this chance to be part of something impactful!

Contact Me!

#past students

Graduate Students

M. Onuche

Undergraduate Students

S. Baker
O. Buente
D. Creech
E. Gheen
K. Kasper

#funding

External Funding

Internal Funding

#journal articles

Journal Publications

#conference proceedings

Conference Proceedings

#conference presentations

Conference Presentations

  • Leith, A. P., Lim, C., Foxman, M., Beyea, D., & Jeong, D. (2025, June). Stress and Coping in VRChat: A Mixed-Method Case Study of the Use of VRChat as a Coping Tool During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Paper to be presented at the International Communication Association 75th Annual Conference. Denver, CO.
  • Leith, A. P., Foxman, M., Lim, C., & Beyea, D. (2025, June). What ASD finds in VRChat: The potential for VR to address the communication barriers faced by individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Paper to be presented at the International Communication Association 75th Annual Conference. Denver, CO.
  • Mlikik, O., Ratan, R., Chen, V., Swati, S., Foxman, M., Leith, A. P. (2025, June). Looking Beyond Meet Space: Presenting a Research Platform in VRChat. Paper to be presented at the International Communication Association 75th Annual Conference. Denver, CO.
  • Beyea, D., Lim, C., Lover, A., Foxman, M., Ratan, R., & Leith, A. P. (2024, June). Zoom fatigue? A meta-analytical examination of research on the antecedents of videoconferencing fatigue. Paper presented at the International Communication Association 74th Annual Conference. Gold Coast, QLD.
  • Foxman, M., Bouzek, D., Lim, C., & Leith, A. P. (2024, June). Playing from home: Identity, cohesion, and communication for remote game makers. Paper presented at the International Communication Association 74th Annual Conference. Gold Coast, QLD.
  • Lim, C., Foxman, M., Ratan, R., Beyea, D., Jeong, D., & Leith, A. P. (2024, June). Touch-up my Zoom fatigue: Positive attitudes about online meeting platforms are negatively associated with virtual meeting fatigue and positively associated with using impression management features. Paper presented at the International Communication Association 74th Annual Conference. Gold Coast, QLD.
  • Foxman, M., Leith, A. P., Ratan, R., &Bouzek, D. (2023, May). Playfully Virtual: Finding Authentic Communication in Videoconferencing and Online Meetings. Paper presented at the International Communication Association 73rd Annual Conference. Toronto, ON.
  • Leith, A. P., Foxman, M., Onuche, M., &Bouzek, D. (2023, May). Diffusion of gratification: The reception of VR as a modality for remote work and meetings. Paper presented at the International Communication Association 73rd Annual Conference. Toronto, ON.
  • Leith, A. P., Foxman, M., Ratan, R., & Lim, C. (2023, May). Feelings for meetings: A sentiment analysis of videoconferencing platforms a year apart. Paper presented at the International Communication Association 73rd Annual Conference. Toronto, ON.
  • Foxman, M., Leith, A. P., Sulzdorf-Liszkiewicz, A., Beyea, D., Klebig, B., Graciano, L., Bouzek, D., & Ratan, R. A. (2022, October). Playing at work: Finding and designing play into virtual meetings. Presented at the 2022 International Conference on Meaningful Play. East Lansing, MI.
  • Foxman, M., Beyea, D. G., Leith, A. P., Ratan, R. A. Chen, V. H. H., & Klebig, B. (2021, May). Hardly just hardware: Understanding games and genres in virtual reality experiences. Presented at the International Communication Association 71st Annual Conference. Virtual.
  • Leith, A. P. (2020, May). When Watching Isn’t Enough: Human Agents and their Influence of Gameplay and Gamespace through Synchronous Chat. Paper presented at the International Communication Association 70th Annual Conference. Gold Coast, AUS.
  • Leith, A. P. (2019, August). The affective messaging of gameplay livestream viewers. Paper presented at the 2019 Digital Games and Research Association Conference. Kyoto, Japan.