Creating common virtual ground: Protocols to democratize open VR research

Accepted in: PNAS — June 2026

Written by

Anand P. A. van Zelderen, Theodore C. Masters-Waage, Salvatore J. Affinito, Anely Bekbergenova et al.

Summary

What we found: We found that virtual reality (VR) offers a unique opportunity to study human behavior in realistic environments while maintaining the experimental control needed for rigorous science. However, we identified that VR research is currently limited by fragmented methods, proprietary tools, and inconsistent reporting practices, which is why we developed shared protocols focused on interoperability, procedural standardization, and data sharing.

Why it matters: These protocols help VR research move beyond isolated, difficult-to-replicate studies by creating common standards that make experiments easier to reproduce, evaluate, and build upon. By lowering technical and financial barriers, they can democratize access to advanced VR methods and enable stronger collaboration across disciplines and institutions.

What next: Organizations and leaders can use these insights to adopt VR as a reliable tool for training, collaboration, and behavioral research by prioritizing transparent, shareable, and standardized VR practices. This will create downstream benefits for leaders and organizations as realistic virtual scenarios for employee training, assessment, and recruitment become increasingly accessible without demanding significant financial investments or technical expertise.