Innovative VR Neurorehabilitation Research Earns Hopkins Centre Team Editor’s Choice Honour

Congratulations to The Hopkins Centre’s Dr. Michael Norwood and co-authors Jayke Bennett, Chelsea Marsh, Susan Jones and Prof Louise Gustafsson, whose recent publication has been honoured with the Editor’s Choice Award by the Journal of Environmental Psychology (JEP) for 2025.

Each year, the JEP editorial team selects just two articles that they believe demonstrate outstanding potential to advance the field of environmental psychology. Dr. Norwood’s paper, “Locally Sourced: Bringing Local Natural Environments to a Neurorehabilitation Ward with Virtual Reality. A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial on the Impact on Psychological Distress”, was recognised for its innovative use of virtual reality to enhance patient wellbeing in clinical settings.

This award highlights the growing importance of nature-based interventions and the role of immersive technology in neurorehabilitation. The paper will be featured on the JEP Editors’ Choice webpage and across the journal’s social media channels. The authors have also been invited to participate in a featured interview with the publisher, joining previous recipients in sharing insights about their research journey.

To learn more about The Hopkins Centre seed grant project that led to this publication - “What effect does virtual reality-based nature exposure have on anxiety and depression in people with brain injury in a hospital rehabilitation ward?” - please click here.

We extend our congratulations to Dr. Norwood and colleagues on this well-deserved recognition!