Practice Difficult Conversations with Ovation VR

Thursday, July 10, 2025 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

The Conflict Management Office (CMO), in collaboration with the Staff Excellence Fund, invites all University of À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ staff (full-time, part-time, contract, and student staff) to a hands-on workshop exploring how virtual reality can support you in preparing for difficult conversations.

Ovation VR uses AI-driven avatars to simulate challenging scenarios such as performance reviews, job interviews, and conflict resolution. By allowing you to practice these interactions and receive feedback, this immersive tool can help you build confidence and reduce workplace stress.

In this session, you will:

  1. Get comfortable using a VR headset
  2. Set up your Ovation VR account and explore its features
  3. Become familiar with CMO resources available to guide you in preparing for a difficult conversation
  4. Have the option of practicing a challenging conversation using Ovation during the session or at a later time on your own.

Choose a session:

  • Tuesday, June 3, 12:00 – 1:00
  • Thursday, July 10, 3:30 – 4:30

This group workshop is open to all staff, but capacity is limited. To register, email Lynn Long at l3long@uwaterloo.ca.

Individual consultations are also available if you would like personalized support for a specific situation and want to explore how Ovation VR can help you build confidence beforehand.

About the Staff Excellence Fund

The Staff Excellence Fund supports staff development by providing funding for healthy workplace initiatives and employee development, engagement, and recognition. Some of the funds are set aside for staff-led projects, and the UWSA's Staff Excellence Fund Committee is tasked with soliciting and reviewing applications from across UW. The committee then passes on applications for approval by the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Staff Compensation (PACSC).