iStream Lab Guidelines: a practical resource for building and managing immersive journalism labs

The iStream Lab Guidelines are now available as one of the key results of the iStream Erasmus+ project.

The document was developed under the leadership of Infinitivity Design Labs (France), the partner responsible for this project output, in collaboration with the entire iStream consortium. The guidelines provide higher education institutions with a practical framework for designing, equipping, managing, and sustaining immersive journalism laboratories.

The document is a practical instrument to help universities translate immersive journalism from concept into implementation. It supports institutions in making informed decisions about infrastructure, technologies, competences, teaching approaches, safety procedures, and long-term sustainability.

The iStream Lab Guidelines are intended for a wide range of stakeholders involved in journalism education and immersive media, including:

• Higher Education Institutions seeking to introduce immersive journalism into their programmes;
• Academic staff and educators designing innovative learning experiences;
• Curriculum developers and programme coordinators;
• Technical staff and laboratory managers;
• Students interested in immersive storytelling and emerging media technologies;
• Media organisations and external stakeholders collaborating with educational institutions.

The guidelines are organised into several sections covering the key elements required to establish and operate an immersive journalism laboratory.

Immersive technologies

The document presents an overview of the technologies that can support immersive journalism education and production. It introduces different categories of equipment and tools, helping institutions understand which solutions may be most appropriate according to their objectives, resources, and level of development.

Competences and skills

Successful implementation of immersive journalism requires more than technology alone. The guidelines identify the competences needed by educators, students, and technical staff, helping institutions understand the knowledge and skills required to effectively design, deliver, and support immersive learning experiences.

Health, safety, and ethical considerations

Immersive technologies introduce new challenges related to safety, wellbeing, privacy, and ethics. The guidelines therefore provide recommendations on health and safety procedures, risk management, ethical considerations, and responsible implementation practices.

Hands-on learning activities

To support practical implementation, the document includes examples of activities and learning experiences that can be integrated into immersive journalism programmes. These examples demonstrate how students can move beyond theoretical learning and engage directly in the creation, testing, and evaluation of immersive content.

Sustainability and maintenance

The long-term success of an immersive journalism lab depends on effective management and sustainability planning. The guidelines therefore address operational aspects such as maintenance, consumables, infrastructure management, and ongoing resource requirements.

The iStream Lab Guidelines are not intended to be a technical manual to read once and set aside. Instead, they are designed as a practical tool that can support decision-making throughout the development of immersive journalism initiatives.

Institutions can use the document to:

• Assess their readiness for immersive journalism education;
• Plan laboratory infrastructure and equipment;
• Identify staff development needs;
• Design practical learning environments;
• Establish safety and operational procedures;
• Develop sustainable implementation strategies.

The guidelines can be used independently or in combination with other iStream project outputs:

• The Curriculum defines the overall educational vision and competences;
• The Syllabi provide structured learning pathways and course descriptions;
• The Lab Guidelines support the practical implementation of immersive learning environments.

The document is available in multiple languages to support adoption across the partner countries.

Download the guidelines here:

• English version
• Polish version
• Italian version
• French version
• Greek version

For more information about the iStream project, visit: www.istream-project.eu.