🥽 EAST LONDON HEROES (pilot study): Newham Youth Applies Ethnoacting in VR for Growth Mindset

🥽 EAST LONDON HEROES (pilot study): Newham Youth Applies Ethnoacting in VR for Growth Mindset

We’ve partnered with the Youth Empowerment Service (YES) at Newham Council to pilot East London Heroes, a groundbreaking engagement project adapting our Ethnoacting in VR for Growth Mindset intervention for young people in Newham.

This innovative project uses immersive storytelling, VR technology, and real-life role models to build confidence, resilience, and self-belief in youth aged 14–21.

🔍 Project Components

1. Ethnoacting in VR Workshop A dynamic 3-hour session where 25 youth participants: Immerse themselves in a virtual public speaking scenario Reproduce testimonies from inspirational overachievers Explore resilience and growth mindset through embodied performance

2. Focus Group Discussions Participants will: Evaluate the intervention’s accessibility and relatability Co-design the next version of the workshop Identify 8 local role models to interview for future VR integration — bringing community voices directly into the experience

3. Surveys & Data Analysis We will gather data through: Pre- and post-intervention surveys using the Implicit Theory Intelligence Scale (ITIS) and the Achievement Goal Questionnaire Qualitative analysis of focus group findings to inform further development

🌍 Who’s Involved?

Young people aged 14–21 from Newham, especially those engaged through our community partner The Youth Empowerment Zone @ The Source

The project aims to uplift underrepresented and disadvantaged youth, promoting wellbeing, personal development, and resilience.

📅 Project Timeline Date Activity April 2025 Planning with YES; Data Management Plan (DMP) submitted for approval May 2025 Ethics approval and participant recruitment July 2025 Workshop delivery, VR sessions, focus groups, and role model selection July 2025 Data analysis (quant + qual) and refinement of materials August 2025 Article preparation for VR Frontiers September 2025 Nuffield funding application for expanded study

📍 Workshop Date & Location:

July 10, 2025 at The Source, Stratford Square, Newham

👥 Research Team Dr. Evi Stamatiou – Principal Investigator (MWP, ACI) Prof. Volker Thoma – Cognitive Psychology & Data Analysis (Childhood & Social Care) Oluwatosin Sanni (PhD) – VR Development & Technical Support (Media, ACI)

📈 Pathways to Impact

1. Boosting mental health and emotional resilience in youth through cutting-edge VR & drama methods

2. Empowering communities via co-production and youth-led narratives

3. Driving equity by demonstrating scalable, evidence-based tools for education and employability

🎯 Strategic Alignment

1. Newham Council’s Health & Wellbeing Strategy

2. The National Youth Agency’s Digital Youth Work Network

📣 Dissemination

Findings will be published in leading VR research outlets such as VR Frontiers and shared with public health, education, and youth engagement networks.