Eugy Han co-authors article on how virtual reality can connect communities affected by climate change
Eugy Han, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Media Production, Management, and Technology assistant professor, is the co-author of “Virtual reality reduces climate indifference by making distant locations feel psychologically close.” The article was published in Scientific Reports on Oct. 23, 2025.
Han and Stanford University doctoral students Monique Santoso and Portia Wang and Stanford University Virtual Human Interaction Lab Director Jeremy Bailenson examined how immersive virtual reality (VR) can create a personal connection to distant communities affected by climate change and influence climate emotions and risk perceptions. They found that VR can help users connect with the impact a warmer climate has on communities.
According to the authors, “VR experiences, especially for distant locations, reduced psychological distance and heightened climate frustration, reduced indifference and increased risk perceptions compared to static images.”
They add, “VR also enhanced storytelling investment, measured by written story length, as well as awe and spatial presence. Political ideology moderated VR’s impact on emotions and risk perceptions but not on storytelling engagement.”
Category: AI at CJC News, College News
Tagged: AI Eugy MPMT vr
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