University of Leeds’ NewsdayVR project wins Education North Award
A pioneering virtual reality teaching project developed at the University of Leeds has been recognised with an Education North Award, celebrating innovation and excellence in higher education.
NewsdayVR, a collaboration between the Journalism Programme in the School of Media and Communication and the University’s Digital Education Team, was honoured at a ceremony held at The Point, Old Trafford Cricket Ground. The event was hosted by broadcaster Lucy Meacock and brought together leading institutions from across the north of England.
The project, led by Carl Hartley, Lecturer in Journalism Practice, alongside Learning Technologists Dan McKinnie and Dr Danielle Millea has been developed over the past two years and uses immersive technology to prepare journalism students for one of the most challenging aspects of the profession: reporting on trauma.
NewsdayVR offers students a realistic, industry-aligned simulation of breaking news scenarios involving traumatic events. Within the virtual environment, students are required to carry out key reporting tasks while navigating the emotional demands such stories present.
Crucially, the experience is designed with student wellbeing at its core. Structured pauses are built into the simulation, enabling learners to reflect on their emotional responses, discuss their experiences, and develop strategies for self-care. The VR session follows dedicated teaching on trauma reporting, equipping students with practical techniques to approach sensitive stories responsibly.
The NewsdayVR Team collecting their Education North Award at The Point, Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground, on 7 May 2026
The project addresses a growing recognition across the journalism industry that more must be done to support the mental health and wellbeing of journalists, who are frequently exposed to distressing situations in the course of their work.
Carl Hartley, Lecturer in Journalism Practice, said:
"This is such an important area of journalism education to teach our students. It's widely acknowledged by industry that more support is needed for journalists who are continuously exposed to trauma. Giving students the opportunity to experience this in the safe environment of the classroom, where they can step out of the experience to explore their emotions and strategies to cope, can only make them and the industry stronger going forward. To win the award and have the work of the team acknowledged in this way is fantastic."
Innovation rooted in collaboration
NewsdayVR 2.0 evolved from an earlier proof-of-concept project, NewsdayVR 1.0, inspired by the use of immersive technology in journalism education at the University of Sheffield. The initial phase was developed with the support of colleagues and contributors who volunteered their time to help create a realistic scenario of a drugs raid - with students carrying out industry aligned tasks with formative feedback given.
The current iteration, NewsdayVR 2.0, focuses specifically on trauma-informed reporting. Its development has been supported by extensive collaboration with journalism educators and industry professionals, who contributed feedback on scripts and participated in user testing.
Positive impact on students
Student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Participants report gaining a clearer understanding of the realities of newsroom work, increased confidence in handling trauma-related stories, and greater awareness of their own mental wellbeing.
The project aligns with wider initiatives across the sector, such as MediaStrong and the work of leading advocates in trauma-informed journalism, which are helping to raise awareness of the emotional impact of reporting and the need for better support structures.
Dr Danielle Millea, Learning Technologist, said:
"It’s an honour to contribute to the NewsdayVR project, which combines rigorous storytelling with innovative VR to highlight the vital importance of wellbeing in journalism - for both reporters and interviewees. Having explored 360-degree video in education since 2008, it’s been especially rewarding to see it applied in such a powerful way."
A screenshot from a VR headset taken on NewsdayVR
The Education North Award highlights the commitment of the University of Leeds’ journalism programme to innovative, student-centred teaching and its leadership in preparing future journalists for the complexities of modern news environments.
This recognition underscores the importance of equipping graduates not only with technical skills, but also with the resilience and awareness needed to thrive in the profession.
Layla Painter, Journalism Programme Lead, said:
"As a journalism programme, we are always exploring innovative ways to integrate the latest technologies into our teaching, ensuring our students receive the best possible learning experience. This project enables students to undertake real-world tasks that prepare them for industry, while working within a supportive classroom environment that helps them build confidence and resilience."
Professor Joanne Garde-Hansen, Professor of Culture, Media and Communication and Head of the School of Media and Communication, added:
"NewsdayVR takes our students on an engaging journey from problem-solving with journalism skills to critical reflection. It offers a great example of collaboration between academics and learning technologists. Any opportunity for students to simulate making decisions and then understand the implications of those decisions leads to good thinking and even better learning."
