The College wins Digital Health Award for cutting-edge virtual reality platform.
The fear of public speaking is widely cited as being the most common fear. It affects 80% of UK university students and it negatively impacts well-being, academic attainment, and career progression. Furthermore, social anxiety and the fear of public speaking are on the rise. In short, the problem is prevalent, it is getting worse, and it is capping human potential.
To address this, Lab Director, Dr Chris Macdonald, created a first-of-its-kind platform that transforms users into skilled and confident public speakers; tailored course material develops core skills and virtual reality training environments accelerate learning and build confidence.
Multiple technological firsts were achieved to make the platform uniquely accessible. To build further confidence, Dr Macdonald developed the concept of ‘Overexposure Therapy’ (which involves training in extreme scenarios that one is unlikely to encounter in real life). For example, on the platform, users can practice a presentation inside of a virtual reality stadium in front of a noisy and hyper distracting animated audience of 10,000 spectators. The process provides the psychological equivalent of running with weights or at high altitude: it builds grit, adaptability, and resilience.
As revealed in the leading virtual reality academic journal, Frontiers in Virtual Reality, the platform has been clinically proven to reduce anxiety and increase levels of confidence and enjoyment even after a single 30-minute session. The platform is being used in the College’s Future Global Leaders Programme. The platform is also being rolled out to healthcare providers.
The VR Public Speaking Platform has received Cambridge University’s Excellence Award and the 2024 Digital Health Award.
To find out more, contact Lab Director, Dr Chris Macdonald.