Elle Crawley

Regenerating Presence: Immersive Nature Environments for Wellbeing and Place-Based Healing through XR

This project explores the use of virtual reality as a place-based regenerative tool to support mental health for people affected by spinal cord injuries. By recreating Scottish natural landscapes as immersive 3D environments, it investigates whether the psychological benefits of nature therapy can be replicated virtually for individuals with limited mobility or those in long-term care, where access to outdoor spaces is restricted.

The research draws on the parallel between ecological regeneration and personal healing: just as landscapes may appear unchanged while subtle growth occurs beneath the surface, recovery can be gradual yet transformative for individuals in care.

Grounded in co-design with participants, the study ultimately seeks to demonstrate how immersive regenerative environments can expand access to the restorative power of nature, while reframing overlooked brownfield sites as spaces of both ecological and personal renewal.

Supervisor team: Dr Chris Lim and Professor Gill Hubbard