Synopsis

Urbanization and digitalization have contributed to a physical and psychological disconnect between people and nature, which has detrimental consequences for the well-being of humans and the environment. Advancements in virtual technologies have introduced new ways of experiencing nature. In this talk, I will share findings from a series of studies that examined nature in Virtual Reality (VR) as an intervention for promoting well-being, as an urban planning and design tool, and as a transformative experience that can impact our attitudes towards real nature in the physical world.

Speaker

Sarah Chan is a Research Fellow at Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities (LKYCIC). Her research interests revolve around understanding the synergies and trade-offs between environmental sustainability, technological and urban development, and human well-being. She received her Ph.D. from the Interdisciplinary Graduate Programme at Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Prior to joining LKYCIC, she was a post-doctoral research fellow in the School of Social Sciences at NTU.