ORTY – THE OVERVIEW ROUND TABLE FOR YOUTH
FROM SEEING EARTH TO SHAPING ITS FUTURE

Immersive Experiences That Touch the Soul

ShuShu VR is an award-winning VR artist, director and creative visionary blending theatre, visual art and emerging technology into powerful immersive experiences. With an MA from the AST National Academy of Theatre Arts and a background in Opera, Musical Direction and Fine Arts, his work has received international recognition from Cannes and Raindance Immersive.

ShuShu designs immersive worlds and virtual venues for live events, while developing masterclasses and educational programs in creative concept development, emerging media and AI-powered creation – empowering the next generation of artists and storytellers.

Kevin Russell is a Director and Simulation Innovation Strategist who helps audiences see Earth and space as one connected system for the Human Space Program (HSP) and the Earth-Space Conservation Demonstration Center (ESCDC), a space education, research, and analog training facility in Washington, New Hampshire.

His current simulations focus on Overview Effect systems dynamics, and orbital data centers. He has published a paper on the space-aviation intelligence gap, using SpaceX Mission 7 as proof of the problem. He also builds immersive simulation and AI-assisted media projects, and he advocates for human-AI teams that serve shared prosperity, health, education, and wellness.

Frank White is a space philosopher, author and consultant best known for coining the term “Overview Effect” to describe the profound shift in awareness astronauts can experience when viewing Earth from space. His seminal book The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution, first published in 1987, has helped shape the conversation about the human impact of spaceflight for nearly four decades. Drawing on extensive interviews with astronauts, Frank explores how seeing Earth as a borderless, interconnected whole can transform our understanding of ourselves, our planet and humanity’s future in space. He is also co-founder of the Overview Institute and author of The Cosma Hypothesis.

Few people will ever see Earth from space. Alison Mattos is bringing that view within reach. As founder of the consulting firm Blue Yugen, she is Director of Strategic Partnerships for The Human Space Program and Producer and Program Manager of ORTY, a VR program that lets young people experience the Overview Effect. She co-authored ORTY’s AGOG Foundation grant and led it to a Phase 2 pilot extension. Alison spent 20+ years in luxury and adventure travel sales and marketing, including as VP of Sales at Abercrombie & Kent and with private jet expedition operators, and now brings that experience to space and immersive tech. She holds an MA from NYU and a BS from the University of Michigan.