This Term, the Immersive Learning Centre invites you to explore, experiment and unwind through a vibrant programme of immersive and creative events. Whether you want to try cutting‑edge technologies like VR, 3D printing and scanning, build interactive learning experiences, boost your employability, or simply take a mindful break during Wellbeing Week, these sessions offer an accessible and inspiring way to develop new skills and ideas in a supportive environment. Open to students and staff (with some staff‑only sessions), all events take place in the Immersive Learning Centre unless otherwise stated.
Here are the events the Immersive Learning Centre has planned for Term 3:
Introduction to 3D Printing
When: Thurs 7th May, 2-4pm
Where: MAL 109
Senior Digital Education Consultant Zad Santospirito will explain the fundamentals of using the ILC’s 3D printer for project and design work. From using pre-designed templates to using your own object scans, Zad will cover the practical set up and use of the 3D printer and give advice and tips on the steps required to produce 3D models and objects.
Book your place on the Introduction to 3D Printing workshop
Immersive Relaxation Session
When: 11th May 1-2pm
Where: MAL 109
As part of Wellbeing Week 2026, the Immersive Learning Centre will be presenting some meditation and mindfulness experiences in Virtual Reality (VR). Drop in over your lunch to grab a slice of relaxation and calm in virtual experiences that close you off from the world with engaging visuals and peaceful music. This event is open to all students and staff and we look forward to welcoming you to the Immersive Learning Centre on the first floor of the Library.
Book your place on the Immersive Relaxation Session
How to create an immersive experience in 15 minutes: ThingLink workshop
When: 11th May 2026, 3:30-5pm
Where: MAL 109
Thinglink is perhaps one of the easiest tools for building interactive learning experiences – within minutes you can start embedding interactive hotspots into a wide range of media, from conventional images and videos to 360 images and 3D scans. These hotspots are an engaging way for students to gain agency over their learning - which has been proved to improve retention - and can contain images, videos, audio description and tools like quizzes and interactive timelines. You can also create choose-your-own-adventure style scenarios which can take the learning on a journey through a concept in surprising ways. It’s also an easy way to bring a static leaflet or infographic to life, and has been used to great effect for library tours, virtual field trips and more. It also embeds directly into Moodle and can be viewed on a mobile telephone, tablet, PC or VR headset. Led by ILC Digital Education Consultant James Cull.
Book your place on the ThingLink Workshop
Introduction to Unreal Engine 5
When: Friday 15th of May, 2-4pm
Where: PC Lab (MAL 107)
Step into the world of real-time storytelling with this hands-on workshop on Unreal Engine 5. Learn the essential tools, user interface, and how to get started with the level sequence to create your first cinematic sequence from scratch. Whether you’re a filmmaker, game developer, or creative explorer, this session guides you through scene setup, lighting, animation, and camera work — everything you need to bring your ideas to life.
In-person participants will have access to PCs and Unreal Engine. We currently have 18 PCs available onsite, book your slot now!
Online participants will need to have Unreal Engine installed for following along. Please refer to the minimum Unreal Engine Software and Hardware Requirements webpage before installing.
Need help with installing Unreal Engine? Here is the Unreal Engine Installation Guide
Book your place on the Introduction to Unreal Engine 5 Workshop
Own the Room: Public Speaking in VR
When: Wednesday 27th May – 1pm and 4pm (one hour sessions)
Where: MAL 109
Come along to this Virtual Reality Bodyswaps session run by the Immersive Learning team, where you will be introduced to key public speaking skills through realistic, immersive scenarios. After a short workshop that will include some tips on public speaking, you will then have the chance to practice delivering short presentations while exploring common challenges such as managing nerves, and using clear, confident vocal delivery. As you speak, the VR environment gives you feedback on elements like pace, hand gestures, audience engagement, helping you understand exactly how you’re performing. You’ll then “swap bodies” to see your presentation from the audience’s perspective, giving you a powerful insight into how your communication style comes across. By the end of the session, you’ll have personalised guidance and the opportunity to retry your performance, helping you build confidence in a supportive, low‑pressure environment.
Book your place on the Own the Room: Public Speaking in VR Workshop
Introduction to 3D scanning (ARTEC)
When: Tuesday 2nd June 2-5pm
Where: MAL 107
Join us for an introduction to the fascinating world of 3D scanning. This session will explore the fundamentals of capturing real-world objects in digital form, with a focus on professional Artec laser scanning technologies. You will have the opportunity to scan an object and learn the fundamentals of processing the results using Artec Studio software which is installed on all PCs in the Immersive Learning Centre.
http://www.bbk.ac.uk/booking/event/62015
Immersive filmmaking and photography with 360 cameras
When: Wednesday, 17th June 2-5pm
Where: MAL 109
Learn how to use Insta360 cameras that are now available for free loan from Birkbeck Library. This hands-on workshop will introduce you to the feature and functions of these cameras, basic editing and practical advice on how plan and shoot your media. You'll also learn how to create presentations and immersive virtual reality experiences using the free authoring tool ThingLink.
Book your place on the Immersive Film and Photography Workshop
How to create an immersive experience in 15 minutes: ThingLink workshop
When: Wednesday, 24th June, 15:30-17:00
Where: MAL 109
Thinglink is perhaps one of the easiest tools for building interactive learning experiences – within minutes you can start embedding interactive hotspots into a wide range of media, from conventional images and videos to 360 images and 3D scans. These hotspots are an engaging way for students to gain agency over their learning - which has been proved to improve retention - and can contain images, videos, audio description and tools like quizzes and interactive timelines. You can also create choose-your-own-adventure style scenarios which can take the learning on a journey through a concept in surprising ways. It’s also an easy way to bring a static leaflet or infographic to life, and has been used to great effect for library tours, virtual field trips and more. It also embeds directly into Moodle and can be viewed on a mobile telephone, tablet, PC or VR headset. Led by ILC Digital Education Consultant James Cull.
Book your place on the ThingLink Workshop
Shapes XR – prototyping immersive experiences
When: 1st July 4-6pm
Where: MAL 109
Shapes XR (shapesxr.com) is a powerful and innovative tool that allows you to easily create prototype immersive virtual reality experiences, with no coding required! In this session, Laurence Chater, Senior Technologist at the Immersive Learning Centre, will teach you everything you need to know to get started with bringing your ideas to life using Shapes XR: Planning your experience, creating and importing assets to Shapes XR and adding basic interactions and animations to your scenes. There will be the option to create in virtual reality using our Meta Quest 3 headsets, or if you’d prefer, you can use the web-based version of the tool.
Book your place on the Shapes XR Workshop