Virtual Worlds & Well-Being: Workshop Results
Exploring the Impact of Virtual Worlds on Health and Well-Being: EuroXR Participates in European Commission Workshop
On 11 June 2025, EuroXR had the pleasure of participating in a high-level dissemination workshop hosted by PPMI on behalf of the European Commission, titled: “Virtual worlds: how do they affect our health and well-being?”
This workshop marked a key milestone in advancing the understanding of how Extended Reality (XR) and immersive virtual environments intersect with public health, emotional well-being, and the broader field of digital healthcare in Europe.
The event brought together more than 76 participants from 24 countries, creating a rich environment for knowledge exchange. Attendees included researchers, policy makers, health professionals, industry representatives, and technology developers.
Throughout the session, participants explored:
The real-world applications of XR in areas such as neurorehabilitation, mental health, and stress regulation
The risks and opportunities these technologies present in relation to human well-being
The current state and future needs for regulation, policy, and standards in Europe’s virtual worlds ecosystem
EuroXR was represented by Marco Sacco, who contributed to a panel discussion alongside leading experts such as Sarah Ticho (SoulPaintXR), Gangadhar Garipelli (MindMaze), Joanneke Weerdmeester & Niki Smit (DEEPVR), Ivan Phelan (ImpactVRlab), Sara Leander-Pehrson (HekaVR), and Neil McDonnell (University of Glasgow XR Tech). The conversation highlighted the need to balance innovation with ethical responsibility and user safety in the development of immersive technologies.
The workshop concluded with a strong consensus on the importance of continued dialogue across disciplines to ensure that XR technologies are harnessed in ways that are safe, inclusive, and beneficial to society.
📄 The workshop presentation slides can also be accessed.
The final study report is expected to be published shortly. EuroXR will share it with the community as soon as it becomes available.
This event further illustrates EuroXR’s ongoing commitment to supporting evidence-based policy, responsible XR development, and a collaborative approach to innovation in Europe.
