Freya Shaw

University of Bristol PhD Researcher and Founder

Immersion Sound Studio Ltd

About Me

Freya Shaw is a registered blind Computer Science PhD student at the University of Bristol and the founder of Immersion Sound Studio. Through her company, she creates commissioned binaural sound design and music for media including video games and exhibitions, with a focus on accessibility for blind and visually impaired audiences.

Alongside her PhD, Freya is developing Hodr Engine, a no code spatial audio creation tool supported by Innovate UK and built on research from her scholarship funded Master by Research at the University of Huddersfield and her current PhD scholarship.

Freya also works as an accessibility consultant for immersive experiences and regularly shares her expertise in accessible game and software development at events including SpillKonventet and DevCom. In her spare time, she composes for classical guitar and produces in Logic Pro, and enjoys audio fiction podcasts.

Sessions

  • Vision Without Sight

    Developing Immersive Soundscapes with Hodr Engine, a Screen Reader First Spatial Audio Creation Tool
    00:00 - 00:00 UTC | Monday 9th November 2026 |
    Intermediate
    In-Person & Online

    This presentation, delivered by Freya Shaw, a registered blind Computer Science PhD student at the University of Bristol, and founder of Immersion Sound Studio, introduces Hodr Engine, a no code, spatial audio creation tool for those of any sight condition or technical skill level to create and play interactive audio experiences for immersive media, including audio games and soundscapes. The platform is accessible with VoiceOver, Apple's screen reader. Hodr Engine uses a no code grid interface that allows users to position sound objects in 3D space, customise their spatial and behavioural properties, and apply features such as reverberation and convolution […]