About
Dr. Browning's research encompasses three domains (nature, health, virtual reality) and the intersections between them. He is the founding director of the Virtual Reality & Nature lab (2016-present), which has two foci: (1) conducting basic and applied research on the therapeutic effects of simulated natural environments on human health, wellbeing, and community resilience; and (2) enhancing the frequency, richness, and meaningfulness of nature-based connections and interactions. The lab has a strong commitment to the land grant mission and provides no-cost products for community partners (i.e., a virtual tour of the South Carolina Botanical Garden for the Master Gardener Program). The VRN has active research collaborations with over 65 collaborators across 18 countries and 8 Clemson departments. Dr. Browning also has active collaborations with several healthcare industry partners, including Kaiser Permanente and hospital systems in five states.
Visit Dr. Browning's Department Profile.
How their research is transforming health care?
His collaborative research expands awareness of the protective impact of urban greening on health. Health spending, opioid overdose, and educational/socioeconomic inequity may be lessened through low-cost greening interventions. Working with health care providers and governmental committees is helping these research findings be translated into policy. Also, his Virtual Reality and Nature lab is leading clinical interventions at 3 health care providers to improve inpatient and outpatient quality of life through restorative 360-degree imagery.
Health Research Expertise Keywords
Faculty Scholar, Environmental determinants of health, Digital health interventions, Mood disorders, Health equity, Green/blue space exposure
