Exploring the Metaverse for Collaboration, Belonging, and Wellbeing in Higher Education

Metaverse screen shot

While traditional videoconferencing supports remote teaching, it often lacks the social presence, spontaneity, and sense of togetherness required for effective teamwork. To address this gap, we adopted a participatory design framework, where eight student interns from London and Beijing co-created metaverse spaces and led virtual sessions on FrameVR. 

The project combined innovative pedagogy with rigorous research. Using mixed methods - 14 recorded meetings, 54 surveys, and 9 interviews - we examined how students collaborated and bonded in metaverse environments. Findings show that avatars, movement, and interactive tools such as multi-screen sharing, document displays, whiteboards, and polls, supported both productivity and connection. Playful rituals and customisable avatars fostered openness and psychological safety, helping students feel more engaged and relaxed than on conventional platforms. 

Quantitative results reinforced these insights: 96% of survey respondents rated their experience as good or very good, and 85% believed the metaverse could positively transform teamwork. Participants emphasised that collaboration effectiveness and social connection were mutually reinforcing, suggesting that immersive platforms can bridge the divide between task and social dimensions of learning. 

Metaverse screen shot of a minimalist study lounge

The project, winner of a CODE Award, featured at the Queen Mary Night of Science and Engineering - but also contributed to scholarship. The analysis extends socio-constructivist and immersive learning theories, showing how co-creation and the interplay of social and task affordances sustain effective teamwork. 

The findings provide empirical support that immersive environments can enhance collaboration effectiveness as well as social connection, engagement, and wellbeing in Higher Education. Participants regarded the metaverse as both an effective teamwork space and a supportive environment for bonding. Rather than separating productivity from sociality, they highlighted how playful, socially rich dynamics strengthened collaboration. 

Metaverse screen shot of a functional large convention centre

Implications for Higher Education and Practical Recommendations

The study highlights three key implications for practice and design. First, collaboration and wellbeing should be seen as interdependent, with playfulness and informality fostering openness and motivation. Second, feature selection and moderation are essential: tools like whiteboards, screen sharing, and avatars can support collaboration and connection but also require facilitation and controls to limit distraction. Third, student agency and co-creation are valuable, as customising avatars, configuring spaces, and developing rituals enhance ownership and engagement, pointing to the need for participatory rather than purely top-down design. 

Metaverse screen shot of a large conference hub

In sum, these findings suggest practical recommendations for educators and designers:

1. Blend structure with informality: Combine focused tasks (e.g., document sharing) with playful rituals (e.g., avatar customisation) to build trust and openness. 
2. Select and moderate features: Prioritise tools like screen sharing, whiteboards, and audio zones while providing facilitation and controls to manage distraction. 
3. Facilitate with balance: Use guidelines and strategies that preserve creativity while ensuring focus. 
4. Empower student agency: Encourage co-creation of environments and rituals to strengthen ownership and engagement. 
5. Ensure equity and access: Address technical requirements and inclusivity to support all learners. 

Marie-Luce Bourguet (EECS) and Elise Gasser (Queen Mary Academy) presented this work at the iLRN conference in Chicago. The conference publication is available to read here. 

Please don't hesitate to contact Marie-Luce or Elise for further information. 

Metaverse screen shot of a cosy multi-level meeting complex