Education, Finance, Research
Grassfields 2024 Winner
SpatialMind Project is Awarded Grassfields Grant 2024
The 2024 Grassfields Grant has been awarded to the project: Reis door de ruimte: Een flexibele leeromgeving voor 3D-leren (SpatialMind), an initiative that leverages 3D technology to transform education. Selected by an independent assessment committee, SpatialMind stood out for its strong alignment with the university’s educational vision and its potential to enhance teaching and learning across disciplines.
About SpatialMind
Led by Prof. Dr. Ineke van der Ham and Dr. Judith Schomaker (FSW) in partnership with Dr. Angus Mol (HUM) and Prof. Dr. Jos van der Hage (LUMC), SpatialMind will develop a flexible platform that uses augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to enable immersive 3D learning experiences. Initially focused on neuroscience and medical studies, the project will allow students to engage with complex 3D structures like brain anatomy in ways that enhance comprehension and inclusivity.
The platform is designed to scale across disciplines, from Archaeology to Arts and Culture, to Biology, offering educators the tools to adapt and create 3D models tailored to their courses. This adaptability ensures that SpatialMind has the potential to support innovative teaching across the university.
Why SpatialMind Was Chosen
The independent assessment committee selected SpatialMind for its ambition to develop the necessary infrastructure to advance 3D teaching and learning at Leiden University. This project stood out for its potential to serve as foundational infrastructure for 3D learning, fostering collaboration, enabling cross-disciplinary experimentation, and aligning with the university’s commitment to future-oriented education.
The committee emphasised the platform's scalability and strong evidence base from pilot programs, highlighting its ability to significantly enhance student learning experiences across faculties. By creating a robust platform, SpatialMind will catalyse a leap forward in supporting and expanding access to 3D learning materials. This infrastructure will empower faculties, institutes, and individual educators to independently create, share, and utilise 3D educational content, driving innovation and collaboration across disciplines.
Addressing Concerns Amid Budget Challenges
We understand that the current financial challenges facing higher education in the Netherlands may raise questions about awarding grants during a time of budget cuts. Investing in educational innovation ensures that we continue to provide exceptional learning opportunities, even amid broader financial challenges.
The Grassfields Grant, supported through Leiden University’s existing Digitisation Agenda, is dedicated exclusively to advancing transformative projects like SpatialMind. These projects should not only address immediate educational needs but also position Leiden University to be able to support innovative teaching practices.
More information about the project will come in the following weeks via a news item. For more information about the Grassfields Grant and the SpatialMind project, you can email grassfields@llinc.leidenuniv.nl.