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About Birkbeck's Immersive Learning Centre

With Birkbeck's new Immersive Learning Centre, you can contribute to cutting-edge research and teaching in various fields. Our virtual reality (VR) and 3D technologies enable you to collaborate with your classmates and broaden your perspectives. These skills provide a competitive edge in the workforce as industries increasingly adopt VR and AR technologies.

Our facilities

  • Immersive Learning Classroom Equipped with 20 VR workstations and two large screens for VR/AR experiences
  • Immersive Learning Studio For creating VR/AR content using motion capture, 3D scanning, photogrammetry and 360 and binaural audio
  • Immersive Learning PC Lab A collaborative learning space with 20 high-spec PCs for teaching VR/AR, video, and graphic production skills
  • Borrow equipment You will be able to borrow VR headsets, 360 cameras, digital recorders, and other production equipment, enabling independent exploration and creation of immersive media, learning materials, research, and coursework

Example use cases

A VR image of George Birkbeck

An avatar of our founder, George Birkbeck, created to celebrate Birkbeck's 200th anniversary. His face was modelled on contemporary portraits and animated to give a celebratory speech

Our recent work with academics offered students inspiring and thought-provoking ways to learn across a range of subject areas. Examples of these immersive learning sessions include:

  • Brand management

    • Immersive, interactive teaching resources gave students a deeper understanding of brand management concepts by allowing them to visualise and interact with brand elements in a virtual environment created by a 360 camera. They also used interactive software to showcase their mastery of branding principles to respond to the assessment brief.  

  • Curating

    • Students participated in an interactive presentation on XR in the arts and tried out experiences ranging from virtual tours of museums to an interactive digital recreation of Ann Frank’s house. Also used interactive software to design an art exhibition proposal.

  • Microfossils

    • Students interact with virtual microfossils, manipulating them to see different angles and details, which enhances their understanding and engagement 

  • Living with Climate Change

    • Students engaged in a virtual reality, scenario-based activity exploring the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels on communities. Afterwards, they collaborated in groups to discuss the associated risks and brainstorm potential solutions.

  • Social Anthropology: Bodies

    • Exploration of embodiment, narrative storytelling through senses and the politics of the built environment through an interactive experience based on the audio diaries of John Hull, who gradually went blind in his thirties.

  • Social Anthropology: Power

    • Immersive film made by indigenous the Black Foot peoples of Alberta, Canada, exploring how settler attitudes to identify, family and social structures continue to impact these communities, especially regarding power dynamics and the role of the state. Often described as an ‘empathy machine’, the VR headsets caused even greater emotional impact and the feeling of being trapped. Students were very impressed with this experience and it led to deep discussion.

 

Contact Us

Learn more about what we do by exploring our website or contacting us via email at