Virtual reality is already being tested in addiction care, but most work so far has focused on a single idea: exposing people to drug- or alcohol-related cues in a safe, controlled setting. Virtual Reality for Substance use Treatment And Recovery (VR-STAR) starts from a broader question. 

What can the social sciences, from psychology and sociology to behavioural economics, health geography and recovery studies, tell us about how immersive technologies should be designed, delivered and evaluated? By putting social science theory first and technology second, the network aims to open up new directions for research and practice that go well beyond cue exposure.

VR-STAR is a new UK-wide interdisciplinary research network, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council through its Connect Awards scheme. 

The network brings together social scientists, clinicians, technologists, people with lived experience, and partners from the NHS, third sector and industry to explore how virtual reality and other immersive technologies can improve addiction prevention, treatment and recovery.

Through a series of workshops and collaborative writing groups, VR-STAR will map current evidence and practice, identify the most promising research questions, and build the partnerships needed to develop ambitious, theory-driven research proposals. Throughout, we are committed to involving people affected by addiction and the professionals who support them, so that new tools reflect real needs and real-world settings.

The network is led by Dr Paul Toner and Dr Gill Hubbard (University of Dundee), with Professor Sylvia Xueni Pan (Goldsmiths, University of London), and Professor Paolo Deluca (King’s College London), working alongside partners including MindTrack 360 and Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust.

Our first workshop takes place at King’s College London on 9 December 2026. If you are interested in joining the network or attending future events, please get in touch.