An immersive control room simulation, where students manage a developing emergency, coordinating across Gold, Silver, and Bronze command structures, responding dynamically to escalating incidents as information evolves and escalates in real time.
What is it?
The Crisis Management Simulation is an immersive, scenario-based learning activity designed for hospitality and tourism students. Delivered within the immersive room, the space is configured to replicate a live stadium control room environment, supported by digital interfaces that present real-time operational information.
Students are assigned to Gold, Silver, and Bronze command teams, reflecting recognised emergency and incident management structures. The simulation is facilitated by the academic staff, who control the flow of information and introduce new developments as the scenario progresses. This allows incidents to escalate in real time, requiring students to continuously reassess information, communicate effectively, and make informed decisions under pressure.
The experience is designed to simulate the full lifecycle of an emergency event, from an initial query or concern through to coordinated response and action.
Experience and Impact
Students engage with a live, evolving emergency scenario that requires active collaboration across command levels. Each team is responsible for assessing information relevant to their role, communicating decisions clearly, and coordinating actions with other command groups to ensure an effective response. This simulation provides real-world professional practices, giving students access to teaching and learning experiences that will add to their skills portfolio.
The immersive format promotes high levels of engagement and simulated realism, encouraging students to think strategically, prioritise actions, and reflect on the consequences of their decisions. By working through a simulated emergency in a controlled environment, students gain confidence in handling complex operational situations without the real-world risk.
Key Takeaways
- Highly engaging experiential immersive session
- Situational awareness and information management
- Professional communication across hierarchical command structures
Next Steps
As a result of the success of this experience, we are currently working on:
Crisis Management 2
An evolution of this immersive experience, bringing in cross-disciplinary elements, in which students would have to communicate with other services, such as the Police, allowing other courses to utilise the experience for their own professional development.
For more information, please contact: immersive@uwtsd.ac.uk