<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><ns2:project xmlns:ns1="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api" xmlns:ns2="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/project" xmlns:ns3="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/fund" xmlns:ns4="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/person" xmlns:ns5="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/project/outcome" xmlns:ns6="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/organisation" ns1:created="2026-07-08T08:44:08Z" ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/projects/D482972F-E846-4910-B1F2-E382F41B645E" ns1:id="D482972F-E846-4910-B1F2-E382F41B645E"><ns1:links><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/persons/876E6BE6-9A20-4D22-B06C-4A61B0C684C1" ns1:rel="PM_PER"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/6C6D012D-C9E0-44A9-9BCE-DCFA1281A17D" ns1:rel="LEAD_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/6C6D012D-C9E0-44A9-9BCE-DCFA1281A17D" ns1:rel="PARTICIPANT_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:end="2025-03-30T23:00:00Z" ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/funds/75994D9D-007B-4C7A-A0B4-FA18AA20FFBE" ns1:rel="FUND" ns1:start="2024-09-30T23:00:00Z"/></ns1:links><ns2:identifiers><ns2:identifier ns2:type="RCUK">10117269</ns2:identifier></ns2:identifiers><ns2:title>A project to develop an immersive VR experience and investigate it as an early intervention in anxiety and depression</ns2:title><ns2:status>Closed</ns2:status><ns2:grantCategory>Collaborative R&amp;D</ns2:grantCategory><ns2:leadFunder>Innovate UK</ns2:leadFunder><ns2:abstractText>As astronauts see Earth from the vast expanse of space, they experience a profound cognitive shift. They instantly recognise our planet as a fragile ball of life, hanging in the immense void of space. This transformative moment is known as the **Overview Effect**, a term coined by Frank White, an advisor to EarthScape VR. It's an awe-inspiring, self-transcending state induced by this visually captivating experience and it offers numerous benefits for mental health, which we have been investigating. The impact can be so deep and enduring that, upon their return to Earth, some astronauts have an altered perspective on themselves and others and they go on to dedicate themselves to humanitarian or environmental causes.

At EarthScape VR, we've successfully replicated aspects of the Overview Effect. Drawing upon the research of Dr. Annahita Nezami, NASA photographs of Earth from space, cutting-edge game engine technology, and a soundscape that blends haptics and binaural beats, we've crafted a series of immersive animated experiences. Research indicates that these experiences reproduce beneficial aspects of the Overview Effect. We plan to develop an experience based on feedback and our ongoing research, focused on common mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.</ns2:abstractText></ns2:project>