Ivan Phelan VR work recognised

SHU researcher Ivan Phelan whose pioneering virtual reality technology in healthcare has helped amputees, burns victims and children with limb injuries to rehabilitate has been recognised internationally.

Ivan Phelan, principal research fellow and director of Impact VR, has been named by The Games Awards in its Future Class 2022 list of 50 inspiring individuals who represent the ‘bright, bold and inclusive future of video games’ across the globe.

Ivan’s projects have developed immersive and interactive VR games designed to improve the health, wellbeing and lifestyles of children and adults who have been affected by neurological and musculoskeletal conditions, orthopaedic trauma and chronic pain. Impact VR is current developing games to help dysphagia patients, children diagnosed with the rare muscle-wasting disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and to support cognitive behavioural therapy in children with social anxiety.

“Video games have always played an important part in my life, and I have been fortunate that my career incoporates this keen interest in ways that have the potential to improve patient lives.”