Shortlist for Times Higher Education Awards 2023 announced
Congratulations to the University of Liverpool Management School's Dr Omar Elsayed who has been shortlisted for a Times Higher Education Awards!
Dr Omar Elsayed is part of the Institute of Population Health, ‘On the Beach: VR Mental Wellbeing for Students on Placement’ project which has been shortlisted for the Technological or Digital Innovation of the Year award.
The team developed a unique virtual reality (VR) tropical island environment to help address mental wellbeing issues faced by University students undertaking industrial and clinical placements. The 3D immersive VR environment uses 3D headsets to place users on a realistic, interactive tropical beach where students and tutors can engage.
The island has waves, insects, birds, mammals and a range of tropical plants and transports students from what can be lonely residential spaces into a safe place where they can relax and be mindful. There are dedicated zones on the island where students can have confidential discussions with support tutors, meet each other socially via customisable avatar figures or undertake formal group peer reflection.
Students enjoyed being able to escape and reduce anxiety, while the ability to meet other students in the environment via their avatars was warmly welcomed.
Find out more about other University of Liverpool staff who have also been shortlisted for Times Higher Education awards.