Gathering together. Gather: offering a superficial novelty or genuine pedagogy promise?

The Gathertown virtual conferencing platform, introduced by Dr Matt Birch and Dr Helen Kerr at the QUB School of Nursing and Midwifery’s Staff Development Day, provided an immersive alternative to standard online meeting tools like Zoom and MS Teams. Through Gathertown, participants created avatars and explored a bespoke 3D environment designed to mimic real-world interactions, such as moving toward someone to start a conversation or selecting specific areas to engage in different activities. The event agenda included a keynote from Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell-Burnell, mental health discussions, and team-building activities, such as a treasure hunt and a virtual cinema. Gather’s unique interactive elements added a sense of presence, autonomy, and play, which engaged over 70 staff members and earned positive feedback for both the platform’s novelty and its potential in creating a more intuitive and dynamic learning experience.

The platform’s design enabled QUB staff to experience proximity-related rules typical of real-world gatherings, like spontaneous discussions and self-guided exploration. These features allowed for learner-centred activities and interaction that traditional web conferencing limits. With interactive whiteboards, presentations, and accessible spaces, participants had freedom to explore, gather, and connect with colleagues in ways that fostered a supportive online community. The experience highlighted how active learning principles can be effectively incorporated in virtual spaces, with Gathertown’s customisability allowing educators to build environments aligned with specific pedagogical objectives.

Aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this project addresses SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, by prioritising mental health with positive mental health discussions and providing an engaging alternative to routine virtual meetings, thus reducing digital fatigue. Through its commitment to creating inclusive education settings, the project also supports SDG 4: Quality Education by providing accessible learning pathways that facilitate active participation and engagement. Additionally, SDG 10: Reduced Inequality is reflected in Gather’s approach to promoting equal participation, allowing users of varied technical backgrounds to engage meaningfully without the constraints often found in traditional web conferencing platforms. These elements underscore how online, inclusive environments like Gather can enhance well-being, educational quality, and equitable access to professional development.