Impact
Wonder you can measure.
For more than a decade we have studied not only how to create immersive ocean experiences, but whether they work.
By the numbers
A decade of reach and research.
Research
Selected publications
Peer-reviewed work by The Hydrous and our research partners on immersive learning, ocean literacy and coral reef science.
Keith, Jeannot, McKinley, Fauville & Woolsey (2026). Evaluation of Explore VR, an immersive marine-biology training experience.
Ecosphere 17(3)
Fauville, Pimentel & Woolsey (Eds.) (2026). Special issue on immersive technology in environmental education.
Environmental Education Research 32(3)
Fauville, Pimentel & Woolsey (2025). Ocean XR: A deep dive into extended reality for marine education and ocean literacy.
McGivney et al., incl. Woolsey & Peterson (2024). Complexity of agency in VR learning environments.
iLRN Proceedings
Queiroz et al., incl. Peterson & Woolsey (2023). Collaborative tasks in immersive virtual reality increase learning.
CSCL Proceedings
Fauville, Queiroz, Woolsey, Kelly & Bailenson (2021). The effect of water immersion on vection in virtual reality.
Scientific Reports 11:1022
Keith, Baird, Hobbs, Woolsey et al. (2018). Synchronous behavioural shifts in reef fishes linked to mass coral bleaching.
Recognition
Awards and honors
Webby Awards (2022)
AR Reef: Webby winner, Brand or Partner Experience. Expedition Palau: People's Voice winner, Technical Achievement, and Webby Honoree.
Anthem Awards (2022)
Two bronze awards for AR Reef, in Innovation and in Partnership in Sustainability.
Telly Awards (2019)
Three awards for Immerse 360°: Documentary, Not-for-Profit and Use of 360°.
Cannes World Film Festival
Explore VR: Grand Winner, Best VR Short.
UN Ocean Decade
Endorsed programme: the Decade of Ocean Empathy (2021–2030).
Recognition for our founder
Dr. Erika Woolsey is a National Geographic Explorer, a member of the Explorers Club 50 and a 2026 TIME Trailblazer.
In the news
Media & research coverage
PRESSTIME TrailblazersDesigning and Making the Future
PRESS RELEASEPartnership with Silverback and SubmersaThe Hydrous, Silverback Films, and Submersa Studios Partner to Transform how Audiences Experience the Ocean
PRESSCNN Call to EarthA marine biologist is using virtual reality to bring people closer to the ocean
RESEARCHOcean XRA Deep Dive Into Extended Reality for Marine Education and Ocean Literacy
360º FILMImmerseFeatured on National Geographic’s YouTube channel
PRESSUpworthyMarine biologist offers virtual deep dives—bringing us to the ocean with advanced technology
RESEARCHAgency in Immersive LearningComplexity of Agency in VR Learning Environments: Exploring Associations with Interactivity, Learning Outcomes, and Affect
MEDIAAR ReefAn augmented reality experience created in partnership with Adobe & The Smithsonian
MEDIAExplore VRAn interactive VR experience to train like a marine biologist
RESEARCHCollaboration in Immersive VRConducted at the Stanford University Virtual Human Interaction LabPartners
We bring the science. Our partners bring their expertise.
Science & research
- Stanford Virtual Human Interaction Lab
- National Science Foundation
- University of Oregon
- University of Gothenburg
- James Cook University
- Inverness Research
Museums & institutions
- National Geographic Society
- Smithsonian Institution
- California Academy of Sciences
- Exploratorium
- UN Decade of Ocean Science
- Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States
Media & technology
- Silverback Films
- Submersa Studios
- Autodesk Foundation
- Lenovo
- Meta
- Adobe
- Unity
Dive in with us.
Support immersive, science-based ocean learning for people everywhere.