Our 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 page.

Download the Google research paper PDF
Two animated avatars in conversation inside the Equal Reality VR training scenario built for Google's DEI program.

Leveraging Virtual Reality to Enhance Diversity and Inclusion training at Google

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.

Black and white still of two animated nurse avatars from Mayo Clinic's VR DEI training module.

Promoting Nursing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Through Virtual Reality Learning

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 person in a Meta Quest VR headset taking part in the Mayo Clinic VR training.

A virtual reality intervention to increase interracial empathy and upstander behaviors in nursing leaders

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) · JONA paper (DOI) · Social Science & Medicine paper (DOI)

"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, PTR's co-founder, arms folded and laughing.Leonie Sanderson
Co-founder, People Tech Revolution. Startup Spotlight, Aerospace Xelerated, 2023

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 scaled around a VR trainee, the Google study's technology-company setting.
An office, the Google study's setting.
A simulated hospital corridor handover, the Mayo Clinic studies' nursing setting.
A ward handover, the Mayo studies' setting.
A maternity debrief conversation, part of Mayo Clinic's health system.
A debrief, inside the same health system.
An oncology infusion lounge, another ward in the Mayo Clinic network.
An infusion lounge, in the same network.
A return-to-work conversation, the kind of upstander moment the trial measured.
A return-to-work conversation.
A social participation scene, the kind of everyday moment the studies rehearsed.
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 return-to-work conversation in a vehicle cab, the kind of rehearsal moment the studies describe.
A rehearsal moment, back at work.
A paediatric consultation, another rehearsal scene from the same VR library.
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 mental-health practice scenario, one of the rehearsal scenes the papers describe.
A rehearsal scene, before the debrief.
A medication check scenario, one of the rehearsal scenes the papers describe.
Another rehearsal scene, from the same library.
A radiology reading room, one of the Mayo Clinic network settings the papers describe.
A reading room, inside the same network.

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WHAT CLIENTS SAY
Keia Hobbs, MD
PTR demonstrated a profound understanding of the intricacies of human behaviour, crucial in crafting meaningful and impactful experiences. I wholeheartedly endorse PTR and their commitment to creating impactful experiences.
Keia Hobbs, MD
Assistant Dean of Graduate Medical Education, University of Illinois Chicago
Martine McCash
Over the past six months, XRHealth Australia has worked closely with People Tech Revolution to co-design innovative immersive applications... supporting workplace mental health and recovery in the transport industry. Simon and his team have been exceptional collaborators: creative, responsive and genuinely committed to human-centred design. Their ability to understand clinical and operational needs and translate complex ideas into safe, realistic VR environments has made the partnership both productive and enjoyable. Together, we are developing practical, evidence-informed tools that build confidence, resilience and coping strategies through structured, real-world scenarios. I highly recommend People Tech Revolution as a trusted technology partner.
Martine McCash
Vice President - Services, XRHealth Australia
Sally Wagnon
From the initial concept discussions to the final execution, PTR demonstrated a commitment to guiding us through what was completely new territory. Their approach was structured and transparent and they always let us know what was achievable given the timeframe and budget.
Sally Wagnon
Senior Campaign Manager, 89 Degrees East
Nic Barry
I don't think role plays will ever cut it again in this space. Participants are able to empathise and discuss the experiences... with detail that just wouldn't be possible without actually experiencing it themselves.
Nic Barry
Digital Learning & Organisational Capability, Domain Group
Rhonda Brighton-Hall
They jump back, step away, they gasp, they try to find their voice, they ask to be included and when dismissed, they physically shrink. And when they can't do any of those things, the learning sticks and the real conversations begin.
Rhonda Brighton-Hall
CEO, MWAH - Making Work Human Again
Sean Hunter
Working with the PTR team has been great and I look forward to continuing the relationship and developing more VR training.
Sean Hunter
Director of Systems Transformation, Mater and Mater Education
Christine Mudavanhu
We work together with People Tech Revolution to codesign experiences and we are both committed to creating psychologically safe environments and workspaces.
Christine Mudavanhu
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SWGJ Program Lead
VR will be a game changer, helping us create ongoing opportunities for deliberate and safe practice following the live workshop experience.
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