--- title: "Peer-reviewed papers on VR DEI and empathy training" description: "Full citations and summaries for the three independently peer-reviewed papers examining VR DEI and empathy training built by People Tech Revolution." canonical: https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/research-evidence/papers --- [Our Work](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work) / [Research & Evidence](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/research-evidence) # Peer-reviewed papers Three peer-reviewed papers examine VR training PTR built: one from Google and Equal Reality, a subsidiary of People Tech Revolution, on DEI training, two from Mayo Clinic on nursing leadership. Program evaluations and client-reported outcomes sit on the [evidence and outcomes](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/research-evidence/evidence-outcomes) page. [Download the Google research paper PDF](https://peopletechrevolution.com/uploads/docs/people-tech-revolution-google-vr-inclusion-training-chi-2024.pdf) Request access to the full Mayo Clinic case study ## [Leveraging Virtual Reality to Enhance Diversity and Inclusion training at Google](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/research-evidence/vr-dei-training-google-chi-2024) Bursztein, Brown, Sanderson and Kelley (2024). CHI EA '24, Honolulu. DOI: 10.1145/3613905.3637128 A case study co-authored by three Google researchers and Leonie Sanderson of Equal Reality, reporting preliminary, self-reported feedback from Google employees who trialled a four-scenario VR DEI training. ## [Promoting Nursing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Through Virtual Reality Learning](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/research-evidence/vr-nursing-leaders-mayo-clinic) Nelson et al., ten Mayo Clinic authors (2024). JONA, 54(11), 638-644. DOI: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000001503 Describes the rollout of a VR DEI training module, built by People Tech Revolution and offered to 1,149 eligible nurse and social worker leaders across Mayo Clinic's network. ## [A virtual reality intervention to increase interracial empathy and upstander behaviors in nursing leaders](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/research-evidence/vr-nursing-leaders-mayo-clinic) Phelan et al., thirteen Mayo Clinic authors (2025). Social Science & Medicine, 366, 117648. DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117648 A quasi-experimental controlled trial of the same program, offered to 1,149 eligible leaders, finding significant gains in empathy and upstander-behaviour intentions, most still present 6 to 8 months later. [Google paper (PDF)](https://peopletechrevolution.com/uploads/docs/people-tech-revolution-google-vr-inclusion-training-chi-2024.pdf) · [JONA paper (DOI)](https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000001503) · [Social Science & Medicine paper (DOI)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117648) > "We could see how powerful VR is at giving people 'a-ha moments' and wanted to create training that has an impact on people's behaviours." Leonie Sanderson Co-founder, People Tech Revolution. [Startup Spotlight, Aerospace Xelerated, 2023](https://medium.com/aeroxelerated/spotlight-people-tech-revolution-62d11e4ae535) ## The settings the three papers describe A technology company, a nursing leadership program and a health system: the places where the studied training actually ran. An office, the Google study's setting. A ward handover, the Mayo studies' setting. A debrief, inside the same health system. An infusion lounge, in the same network. A return-to-work conversation. An everyday moment, rehearsed. ## What a participant did in each study A scene in a headset, a choice, a group discussion and a survey, in the order the papers describe. A rehearsal moment, back at work. A paediatric consultation, another scene from the library. ### The debrief that followed each session Each paper treats the facilitated group discussion after the VR scene as part of the training, not an afterthought. A rehearsal scene, before the debrief. Another rehearsal scene, from the same library. A reading room, inside the same network. Want to talk through what the research means for your own program? [Open the contact form](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/research-evidence/papers#contact) Ask our CEO Simon Lowe’s Digital Twin a question Related PTR work - [Mater Immersive Learning Pilot](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/research-evidence/mater-immersive-learning-pilot) - [VR DEI training at Google, a CHI 2024 case study](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/research-evidence/vr-dei-training-google-chi-2024) - [Featured VR research and evidence highlights](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/research-evidence/featured) - [XR overview](https://peopletechrevolution.com/xr)