Our guest today is Dr Abigail Webb, a cognitive scientist at Essex. Much of Abigail's early work focused on facial expressions in the contexts of fear, threat, and attraction. Her more recent efforts are exploring the immersive potential of virtual reality in the context of theatre and the arts. We spoke with Abigail recently about a number of topics including the ‘can of worms’ that is evolutionary psychology and mate selection, as well as how – and if – virtual exposure to theatre can provide a meaningful experience for the viewers, and maybe even provide a much-needed lifeline for the struggling live arts industry. Host: Dr Philip Cozzolino