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Challenges and Opportunities for Theory-Grounded Data Visualization in Extended Reality

Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Numerous frameworks have been developed for creating, interpreting, and teaching data visualizations. The past decade has seen advances in visualization paradigms beyond keyboard and mouse (e.g., immersive analytics). While mature visualization libraries exist for screen-based technologies, no comparable counterparts have emerged for immersive visualization due to scattered platforms, while theoretical frameworks require inclusion of extended reality (XR) and 3-D visualizations tailored to embodied exploration. Here, we synthesize challenges and opportunities for theory-grounded data visualization in XR to examine how established principles translate and expand to immersive environments. This work supports the development of both theory and practical tools for principled data visualization and exploration using XR in support of real-world applications.
DOI: 10.1109/mcg.2026.3685140
Authors: Andreas Bueckle, Christiane V. R. Hutter, Renata G. Raidou, Chris Bryan, Peter Mindek, Hannes Kaufmann, Niklas Elmqvist, Jorg Menche, Katy Borner, Theresa-Marie Rhyne
Institutions: Indiana University, University of Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, TU Wien, Arizona State University, Aarhus University, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Network Medicine at the University of Vienna
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,995
OpenAlex ID: W7171555056
FWCI:
Cites: 13
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Related to: 10