Virtual Human Interaction Lab

Our Mission

Since its founding in 2003, researchers at the Virtual Human Interaction Lab (VHIL) have sought to better understand the psychological and behavioral effects of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). VR is finally widely available for consumers, and every day we are seeing new innovations. It is critical, now more than ever, that we seek answers to these important questions: What psychological processes operate when people use VR and AR? How does this medium fundamentally transform people and society? What happens when anyone can have a perfect experience at the touch of a button? And how can we actively seek to create and consume VR that enhances instead of detracts from the real world around us?

Recent Research

Petersen, G., Santoso, M., Fauville, G., Hancock, J., & Bailenson, J. (2026). VR scuba diving with harbor seals increases ocean connectedness, and the effect of conversational AI on pro-environmental engagement depends on prior experience with seals. Computers & Education: X Reality, 9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cexr.2026.100181
DeVeaux, C., Frazier, K., Landay, J., & Bailenson, J. (2026). Supporting Technology Career Interest and Prosocial Attitudes through Virtual Reality Co-creation in the Classroom. IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality Adjunct.
Park, R., Miller, M., Han, E., DeVeaux, C., Bailenson, J., & Ram, N. (2026). Evolution of networks in virtual reality: A scalable framework for studying social dynamics of small groups. PLoS One, 21(8). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0355470
Santoso, M., Wang, P., Han, E., & Bailenson, J. (2026). Attitudinal, Social, and Behavioral Outcomes in Group Collaboration with Passthrough. Small Groups Research.
Wang, P., Santoso, M., Han, E., & Bailenson, J. (2026). Synchrony and task engagement in virtual reality: temporal dynamics, predictors, and psychological outcomes of collaborative behaviors. Cognitive Science, 50(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/cogs.70211