UC promotes healthy work environments and well-being through immersive technologies

The Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra (FCTUC) is part of a project that uses immersive technologies to promote healthy work environments and well-being.

“WinWORK: Creating healthy work environments to promote quality of life and well-being in the workplace” is an innovative cross-border project co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg VI-A Spain-Portugal Cooperation Programme.

"This project aims to improve health and well-being in the workplace by using multidisciplinary interventions and immersive technologies, such as virtual reality, focusing on co-creation and active participation of stakeholders. The University of Coimbra (UC) plays a central role in the project," says Ana Luísa Pinto, professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering (DEM) and project leader at UC.

The UC team, led by Ana Pinto, is working with Paulo Menezes and Helder Araújo, professors at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering / researchers at the Institute of Systems and Robotics; Carla Carvalho and Lisete Mónico, professors at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences; and researchers José Pinto Gouveia, Bárbara Monteiro, Telma Alves and Nuno Moita.

According to the FCTUC professor, "The approach used focuses on immersive virtual reality technologies to create interactive scenarios that promote mindfulness, help workers manage stress and develop socio-emotional skills. These experiences are conducted with virtual reality headsets, providing a safe and effective environment for learning and reducing psychosocial risks," she explains.

WinWORK includes pilot interventions in six organisations in Portugal and Spain, covering three sectors: industry, services, and health. These actions involve using participatory methodologies and training workers and managers.

In addition, the project is carrying out an initial survey through an online questionnaire managed by the networks of the Portuguese Business Association, the Chamber of Commerce of Salamanca and the Chamber of Commerce of Badajoz. Organisations completing this questionnaire could be selected to join WinWORK and benefit directly from the intervention.

The study assesses organisational culture, leadership and working conditions, paving the way for designing collaborative interventions. "The project wants to change working environments by promoting safety, health and inclusion. It is expected that the results will benefit not only the organisations directly involved, but also the whole community interested in this issue," concludes Ana Pinto.

The consortium, led by the Polytechnic Institute of Porto, includes partners such as the Portuguese Business Association, the Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Services of Badajoz, the Fundación Centro de Cirugía de Mínima Invasión, the Polytechnic Institute of Guarda, the University of Coimbra, and the University of Salamanca—Vice-Rectorate for Research and Transfer.

With its focus on innovation, collaboration, and the use of advanced technology, WinWORK promises to significantly improve well-being and quality of life at work and establish a new paradigm for occupational health in Portugal and Spain.