******************************************************** *Connected Realities: Exploring Collaboration and Social Interaction in eXtended Reality* ******************************************************** Special Issue of the *Virtual Reality* journal https://link.springer.com/collections/ijfihjahcf *Aims and Scope* Extended Reality (XR) technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), are profoundly transforming how people interact and collaborate in the digital world, overcoming physical barriers and creating new opportunities for social connection. These immersive solutions range from integrating digital elements into the real world to building entirely virtual environments, expanding the boundaries of human interaction. However, the growth of XR also presents significant challenges related to social cohesion, collaboration, inclusivity, and accessibility. Designing XR environments with a strong focus on social interaction and collaboration is essential to creating spaces that foster meaningful connections and teamwork. In an increasingly interconnected world, neglecting social factors risks excluding users and limiting XR’s potential as a tool for global collaboration. This special issue aims to explore strategies for designing XR environments that enable equitable, inclusive, and safe participation, addressing the needs of a diverse community and ensuring that no one is left out of these new modes of interaction and collaboration. *Topics* Authors are invited to submit articles that fall under topics such as, but not limited to: ● Social dynamics in XR ● Accessibility in XR ● Inclusivity in Immersive Technologies ● User Safety and Ethical Standards ● Designing for Engagement and Cohesion ● Emotional and Psychological Impacts of XR ● Educational and Collaborative Uses of XR *Important dates* Paper Submission deadline: 30 November 2025 *Please feel free to contact us for more information.* Giuliana Vitiello, University of Salerno - Italy, gvitiello(a)unisa.it Pablo Cesar, Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) and TU Delft - The Netherlands, garcia(a)cwi.nl Tanja Kojić, TU Berlin - Germany, tanja.kojic(a)tu-berlin.de Andrea Antonio Cantone, University of Salerno - Italy, acantone(a)unisa.it