VR+
Lead Participant:
HEAD SET IMMERSIVE LTD
Abstract
"In today's information ecosystem, threats to the lives of people who deliver the news are constantly evolving. Despite the obvious risks of reporting from wars, disasters, remote or inhospitable locations, many journalists, including camera crews and support staff, go into the field without adequate safety knowledge and life saving skills.
In the past 15 years, more than 450 journalists have been killed while working in hostile environments. Newsrooms and insurers spend millions of pounds per year on training, safety and security measures that fail to equip journalists with the ability and confidence to act in high stress situations.
Virtual, mixed and augmented reality technologies are transforming the way education and training is conducted with the ability to immerse participants in high pressure scenarios that are impossible to replicate in the classroom or with hands-on courses. This so called 'extended reality' (XR) combines real and virtual environments and allows for human-machine interactions. By practicing first aid and survival skills inside a heart-thumping simulation of a real emergency, research shows participants learn faster and retain life saving knowledge for longer.
This project looks at how immersive technologies can transform the way journalists are trained for hostile environments, without even leaving the newsroom. We believe XR could ultimately save lives by reducing the amount of time and money news organisations and insurers spend to ensure safety, making it easier to refresh and update skills while also becoming more accessible to freelancers.
'Also Known As' is a virtual reality storytelling, research and design studio run by former journalists Aela Callan and Kate Parkinson who have decades of experience working in hostile environments for international broadcasters such as Associated Press, Sky News, Al Jazeera and CGTN.
With Design Foundations funding, they will use their backgrounds in journalism, immersive technology and human centred design to conduct ethnographic research and generate innovative ideas with other relevant experts. Their work will directly engage key stakeholders in the industry, understanding motivations and market demand, while prototyping potential solutions to make their ideas investor ready."
In the past 15 years, more than 450 journalists have been killed while working in hostile environments. Newsrooms and insurers spend millions of pounds per year on training, safety and security measures that fail to equip journalists with the ability and confidence to act in high stress situations.
Virtual, mixed and augmented reality technologies are transforming the way education and training is conducted with the ability to immerse participants in high pressure scenarios that are impossible to replicate in the classroom or with hands-on courses. This so called 'extended reality' (XR) combines real and virtual environments and allows for human-machine interactions. By practicing first aid and survival skills inside a heart-thumping simulation of a real emergency, research shows participants learn faster and retain life saving knowledge for longer.
This project looks at how immersive technologies can transform the way journalists are trained for hostile environments, without even leaving the newsroom. We believe XR could ultimately save lives by reducing the amount of time and money news organisations and insurers spend to ensure safety, making it easier to refresh and update skills while also becoming more accessible to freelancers.
'Also Known As' is a virtual reality storytelling, research and design studio run by former journalists Aela Callan and Kate Parkinson who have decades of experience working in hostile environments for international broadcasters such as Associated Press, Sky News, Al Jazeera and CGTN.
With Design Foundations funding, they will use their backgrounds in journalism, immersive technology and human centred design to conduct ethnographic research and generate innovative ideas with other relevant experts. Their work will directly engage key stakeholders in the industry, understanding motivations and market demand, while prototyping potential solutions to make their ideas investor ready."
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| HEAD SET IMMERSIVE LTD | £37,106 | £ 25,974 |
Participant |
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| INNOVATE UK |
People |
ORCID iD |