Virtual reality (VR) simulation is now applied commonplace from real estate viewings to digital shopping. New companies have even launched in the past 12 months that offer clinical VR interventions with a synthesis of hardware/software solutions. In this burgeoning area of practice psychologists have yet to catch up with the technological implications and evidence-based ways of testing VR efficacy.
There have been 10,000's papers published on VR and psychotherapy in the past half-decade, and over 1,000 just this year. Yet, robust models and mechanisms to test efficacy are still ongoing development and debate among theorists. There is an exciting opportunity to study the theoretical and experimental aspects of VR in Melbourne-based universities which lead some of the most cutting-edge innovations in the topic of study.
Benefits of completing a 3-year PhD program
- Viable alternative to an industry/clinical postgraduate pathway
- Take advantage of Government-funded places with no enrollment fees incurred
- Strong career prospects in both academia and industry with new small-moderate scale VR treatment and testing centers having opened around Australia in a matter of years
- Well-placed international opportunities for postdoctoral studies
- Develop advanced research skills at the highest level
Current projects
Factorial analysis and scale development to measure immersion and efficacy in VR
Theory development on the sociological and technological as well as societal implications of VR/AR on a changing world
