GAP-XR Call for Committee Chair and Co-Chair Nominations

Columbus, Ohio, May 15, 2026

The Global Association for Pediatric Extended Reality (GAP-XR) is pleased to invite nominations and self-nominations for leadership positions within three foundational committees:

  • Scientific Committee
  • Membership Committee
  • Youth Committee

These committee leadership roles provide an opportunity to help shape the future of pediatric extended reality (XR) through collaboration, innovation, inclusion, and global engagement. For each committee, GAP-XR seeks one Chair and one Co-Chair:

1. Scientific Committee

The Scientific Committee will advance GAP-XR’s scientific mission by promoting high-quality research, interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence generation, and scientific dissemination in pediatric XR.

Responsibilities:

  • Develop scientific priorities and strategic initiatives
  • Plan and coordinate abstract review and scientific programming for GAP-XR meetings
  • Foster multicenter and international collaborations
  • Promote ethical, evidence-based XR research and innovation
  • Support publication, dissemination, and knowledge translation activities
  • Advise the Executive Board on emerging scientific opportunities

Preferred Qualifications

  • Demonstrated leadership in pediatric XR, digital health, simulation, rehabilitation, education, or related fields
  • Strong record of research, scholarship, or innovation
  • Experience leading collaborative or multidisciplinary initiatives
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and global engagement

2. Membership Committee

The Membership Committee will support growth, engagement, inclusion, and retention of GAP-XR members across disciplines, regions, and career stages.

Responsibilities

  • Develop strategies for membership recruitment and retention
  • Promote engagement of trainees, early-career professionals, and global members
  • Support onboarding and member communications
  • Recommend member benefits and engagement initiatives
  • Foster an inclusive and welcoming organizational culture
  • Collaborate with other committees on outreach and programming

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in professional societies, community engagement, or organizational development
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills
  • Interest in global and interdisciplinary networking
  • Commitment to inclusive membership development

3. Youth Committee

The Youth Committee will elevate youth and family voices within GAP-XR and ensure that lived experience informs pediatric XR innovation, education, advocacy, and research priorities.

Responsibilities

  • Promote meaningful youth and family engagement across GAP-XR activities
  • Develop youth-centered XR priorities and strategies
  • Support outreach initiatives for youth and family communities
  • Collaborate with scientific and educational initiatives
  • Encourage accessible, equitable, and developmentally appropriate XR practices

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in youth advocacy, patient engagement, education, pediatric care, or community leadership
  • Interest in participatory innovation and co-design
  • Commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and ethical engagement

Nomination Materials (Self-nominations are encouraged)

Please submit:

  1. A brief statement of interest (maximum 500 words)
  2. Current CV or résumé
  3. Preferred committee and role (Chair or Co-Chair)

Submission Deadline:

July 15th, 2026

Please submit nomination materials to:

Megan Armstrong, MPH

Email: Megan.Armstrong@nationwidechildrens.org

Henry Xiang, MD, MPH, PhD, MBA

Email: Xiang.30@osu.edu