Immersive insights: Building a stronger team

Welcome to our Immersive insights: virtual reality in action article series.

The IT Services Immersive Lab is already making an impact at the University, offering hands-on demonstrations and experimentation with immersive technology, using a range of virtual reality (VR) equipment.

The lab is designed to encourage innovation and collaboration between staff, providing a flexible space to encourage collaborative projects including teambuilding.

Building stronger teams with virtual reality

We wondered how the lab could help in practice, so we chatted with Lewis Logan-Fowler whose Audio-Visual Support Service team spent a team-building afternoon in the lab.

Why did you choose the Immersive Lab for your team-building session? 

I have a lot of experience with immersive technologies outside of work and I'm also a wellbeing champion for the department. I wanted to explore alternative activities that could engage my team, who might not find traditional wellbeing events appealing. This was something I wanted to experiment with and see if an alternative activity in the form of a team-building exercise would help in that sense.

What did you choose to do in the lab and how do you think it went?

We got the team involved in several rounds of virtual paintball. We split the team into two groups of three and spent the time engaging in this activity.

The session went really well. There were some teething issues at the start because it was the first time we had done it. By the end, everyone was laughing, having fun, and there was a lot of camaraderie and bonding.

Do you think there will be ongoing benefits from the session? 

My team is quite dispersed, based in different buildings across the University. Bringing us all together for a face-to-face activity was fantastic. While we do a lot of communication through online meetings, there's no real substitute for an actual face-to-face activity. A strongly bonded team is a more effective and efficient team.

Would you use the Immersive Lab again? 

In a heartbeat. I find great value in activities that challenge both the brain and body. A physical activity like a standing VR experience allows you to get some movement away from the desk. It helps break up the working day, gets everyone energised, and is of great value.

What did the rest of your team think about the exercise? 

The general feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The team found great value in the experience and are keen to return and try different activities. We aim to use the lab more frequently and train team leaders to facilitate sessions independently.

Would you recommend the Immersive Lab to other teams?  

Very much so. Maybe it isn't for everybody, but getting a group of people together to do something out of the ordinary is incredibly valuable. It's similar to team-building retreats but can be delivered in an hour in a room. The benefit of immersive technologies is that you can break out from the usual forms of problem-solving.