Extended Reality for Life Science Skills Training

Extended Reality (XR) technologies - encompassing virtual, augmented, and mixed reality - are opening new possibilities for how practical skills are taught and assessed across the life sciences. This event will bring together educators, researchers, and industry innovators to explore how immersive technologies can address longstanding challenges in laboratory and scientific training, from resource constraints and safety considerations to scalability and accessibility.

The session will feature a dedicated segment on VR-based microscopy training, showcasing how virtual environments can replicate the nuanced, hands-on experience of operating microscopes and interpreting biological samples, enabling learners to build confidence and competence before ever approaching a physical instrument. Alongside this, the session will present novel pedagogical frameworks for integrating XR into life science curricula, examining how these approaches can complement traditional teaching and support diverse learner needs.

Practical demonstrations will form a central part of the programme, with live showcases of VR-based lab skills training illustrating the current state of the art and highlighting what is already being deployed in educational settings. 

Whether you are an educator looking to modernise your teaching practice, a researcher investigating the efficacy of XR-based learning, or a developer building the next generation of training tools, this session offers a timely and practical forum for exchange, collaboration, and inspiration.