S10 Ep3: Using virtual reality to build a more inclusive NHS with Stephani Hatch
From The We Society by AcSS
March 18, 2026 · 31 min · Season 10 · Episode 3
About this episode
Professor Stephani Hatch discusses using virtual reality to enhance inclusivity in the NHS.
Professor Stephani Hatch has dedicated her career to making workplaces - especially the NHS - more inclusive by reducing discriminatory practices. She is the Vice Dean for Culture, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, and Professor of Sociology and Epidemiology at King's College London. Her work has seen her introduce 360 degree Virtual Reality headsets to NHS managers and staff to allow them to ‘walk in the shoes of’ racially minoritised staff in occupational roles. This followed her research which found that NHS Staff members who are black or from ethnic minority backgrounds were more than twice likely to experience workplace harassment and bullying compared with white British staff. This impacts mental health, and ultimately will affect the care of those using the NHS. What can be done? Stephani tells us in this conversation. In the We Society, join acclaimed journalist and Academy president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems. Don’t want to miss an episode? Follow the show on your favourite podcast platform and you can email us on…
People in this episode
Host: Will Hutton
Guest: Stephani Hatch
Topics covered
- inclusivity
- virtual reality
- NHS
- workplace culture
- discrimination
- mental health
Keywords
- virtual reality
- NHS
- inclusivity
- discrimination
- workplace harassment
- mental health
- sociology
Sponsors
Academy of Social Sciences, Nuffield Foundation, Leverhulme Trust
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: NHS, King's College London
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- S10 Ep6: Climate action: small human acts can make a big difference with Tim Lenton · April 8, 2026 · 31 min
- S10 Ep5: AI and the Future of Public Services with Imogen Parker · April 1, 2026 · 31 min
- S10 Ep4: How happy is the world in 2026? With Jan-Emmanuel De Neve · March 25, 2026 · 34 min
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