Bringing research to life: an immersive virtual poster gallery

Macarthur, Vicky ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0637-6551 and Drude, Finn (2025) Bringing research to life: an immersive virtual poster gallery. In: University of Cumbria Learning & Teaching Conference, 18 June 2025, University of Cumbria, Lancaster, UK. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Following the success of the Advanced Clinical Practice MSc’s first online conference in November 2024, which attracted over 400 registrants and maintained an impressive average attendance of 200+ throughout the day, we are eager to share our innovative approach to virtual engagement. A standout feature of our conference was the Virtual Poster Gallery, designed to replicate the interactivity of an in-person event. Attendees could navigate a dynamic online space, explore submitted posters, and listen to recorded narrations from the authors at the click of a button. The conference feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with the poster gallery receiving particular praise for enhancing accessibility, engagement, and the overall conference experience. In this session, we will showcase how we developed this engaging experience using ThingLink, a website and app-based program for annotating digital items to make content more engaging and interactive. By adopting a collaborative approach between academic programme staff and the digital simulation team, we created an interactive and accessible virtual space with minimal technical barriers. We will share insights into the development process, lessons learned, the impact on attendee engagement, and practical strategies for integrating virtual poster galleries into online conferences, offering valuable insights for conference organisers seeking to enhance their digital events.

Our approach was inspired by the excellent workshops in the Institute of Health on ThingLink run by Finn Drude, where our team explored its advanced capabilities for creating interactive and immersive experiences. Recognising its potential, we saw an opportunity to enhance virtual engagement by developing a dynamic, user-friendly poster gallery. This initiative has since gained traction within the Institute of Health, sparking interest from colleagues eager to adopt similar approaches for their own events. The positive impact of our virtual gallery has reinforced the value of accessible digital tools in fostering engagement and knowledge-sharing. We are now keen to expand this work, encouraging innovative approaches to online and hybrid conferencing by broadening access to ThingLink across the wider university. Our experience aligns with broader discussions on digital transformation in education (Salmon, 2019) and the growing recognition of interactive technologies in enhancing remote learning and professional development (Laurillard, 2020).

Laurillard, D. (2020). Teaching as a Design Science: Building Pedagogical Patterns for Learning and Technology. Routledge.
Salmon, G. (2019). E-Moderating: The Key to Teaching and Learning Online (4th ed.). Routledge.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Lecture)
Departments:	Institute of Health > Nursing
Additional Information:	Vicky MacArthur, Senior Lecturer, Advanced Clinical Practice; Finn Drude, Specialist Technician (Digital Simulation), both of the Institute of Health at the University of Cumbria, UK.
Depositing User:	Anna Lupton
Date Deposited:	10 Jul 2025 10:19
Last Modified:	11 Jul 2025 08:00
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/8957

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