Could this ingenious new (and affordable) science-backed gadget end the fear of public speaking?

Happy World Speech Day, everyone! Not heard of it? Well, it’s a celebration (launched by a non-profit organisation) that champions “the power of speeches to bring communities together and spread ideas”. Whether it’s inspiring change, sparking dialogue, or amplifying voices that often go unheard, this day is all about encouraging people to embrace public speaking.

At this point, you might be feeling a little hesitant – maybe even a bit nervous. And you wouldn’t be alone. A reported 77 per cent of people experience a fear of public speaking, known as glossophobia, one of the most common forms of social anxiety. At its worst, this fear can hinder personal and professional growth, restrict leadership opportunities, stifle self-expression and even stall career advancement.

However, thanks to the latest advancements in (surprisingly affordable) VR technology, one scientist may have developed a scalable solution.

How it works

Quite simply, Virtual Reality (VR) is changing the way we conquer fears. VR enables gradual ‘exposure therapy’, letting you build confidence at your own pace. Instead of diving into a nerve-wracking situation, you can practice step by step – from your own home.

But there’s a catch. Having the right platform is crucial to the success of VR exposure therapy. It needs to be accessible, and it needs to feel real to work.

Dr Chris Macdonald established the multi-award-winning Immersive Technology Lab to investigate the transformative potential of emerging technologies for education and healthcare. Based at Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge, the lab is building a catalogue of powerful virtual reality tools. One of them, developed by Dr Macdonald, hosts tailored course material and a series of photorealistic public speaking training environments, and he has made it free for everyone to use. No sign-ups, no logins, no fees – just open and use. It’s available right now via a dedicated website.

You also don’t need a top-of-the-range headset either – this VR exposure therapy tech can be used with a smartphone. Using it is simple: select a crowd size, scan the QR code, and insert your phone into a low-cost device mount. (A first-of-its-kind VR player was built to provide options for Android, iPhone and standalone headsets.) On a gamified journey, users present in front of increasingly challenging audiences. You can even opt to ‘teach’ in a full lecture hall at the University of Cambridge.

Audiences are animated and photorealistic, created by combining live audience captures with computer-generated imagery. There’s fidgeting, head scratching and yawning, as well as spontaneous distractions such as late arrivals/departures and camera flashes.

Tailored learning materials and an AI assistant provide comprehensive support, such as advice on how to write a great presentation, how to answer interview questions, or even how to use the latest neuroscience tools to quickly slow your heart rate.

The efficacy is increased with overexposure therapy (the ability to repeatedly practice in extreme scenarios that one is unlikely to encounter in real life, such as hyper-distracting stadiums—a concept Dr Chris Macdonald pioneered).

Dr Macdonald explains, “Prior to a presentation, most students tend to practice on their own, in a highly-controlled environment—normally in their bedrooms to an ‘audience’ of zero. As a result, it will feel like a significant ‘step up’ when they present to even a small group of people—and even a subtle audience gesture can throw them off. By contrast, those who use the VR platform can practice in a different venue every night to a wide range of highly distracting audiences and fear-inducing scenarios.

“They can, for example, practice in a stadium in front of 10,000 animated spectators, with loud noises, stadium lights, and flashing cameras. Accordingly, a subsequent presentation to a small group can feel like a ‘step down’. This overexposure therapy provides the psychological equivalent of running with weights or at high altitudes; it builds extra adaptability, grit, and resilience.”

How effective is it?

As recently revealed in the academic journal, Frontiers, the platform is providing impact at speed. Conducted by Dr Macdonald’s lab, an experiment revealed that the platform was able to significantly increase levels of confidence after a single 30-minute session. Further findings will be revealed at the upcoming International Conference on Research in Psychology.

Dr Macdonald argues this first-of-its-kind technology could offer hope to millions who struggle with public speaking: “Not only is this the first time that this treatment is available for free worldwide, but it is also the first time it is accessible via multiple devices and multiple operating systems. In short, many firsts were completed to achieve impact at scale.”

“It is very promising to see how effective the platform is given that I already know ways to make it even more effective,” Dr Macdonald says. “However, to continue its development, expand it long-term, and launch additional features, I need funding. And so, I encourage philanthropists and sponsors to reach out. My lab is data-driven and uniquely committed to impact at scale. With the right funding, together, we could transform millions of lives.”

Looking towards the future

“In addition to the range of presentation-style audiences, the platform also provides more specialised environments and challenges, such as reading a teleprompter in a virtual TV studio or responding to questions in a job or radio interview. And beyond the main platform that is now freely available via a dedicated website, I have created an app for healthcare providers. I am also collaborating with organisations that seek to support specific groups such as children who stammer; the goal is to create more targeted treatment options for those who need it the most.”

“I set out with a simple but ambitious mission: make the most effective treatment for the most common fear and make it freely accessible to all. Today, with the launch of the free platform, I believe I have achieved that. Please do make use of it.”

Dr Macdonald concludes, “The platform has immense potential to empower individuals to overcome their fear of public speaking, ultimately enhancing not only their quality of life but also their capacity to become a driving force of positive change in the world.”