Innovative Technology Enhances Negotiation Training in Webster’s Security Class

Students in the International Security class display their work from the class exercise. 

By GPH Lab Staff

Students in the International Security class, taught by Dani Belo, PhD, Assistant Professor of International Relations and Director of the Global Policy Horizons Research Lab, recently took part in an innovative experiential learning activity that combined technology, diplomacy and real-world negotiation practice.

In collaboration with the School of Education and Interim SOE Dean Stephanie Mahfood, PhD, the simulation leveraged Mursion, an immersive mixed-reality training platform, to recreate a high-stakes diplomatic environment where students practiced strategic communication and negotiation skills.

The exercise, titled “Bridging Hostility: A Diplomatic Dialogue Between Israel and Iran,” placed students amid a 2025 escalation between Israel and Iran, involving missile exchanges, cyberattacks and regional proxy conflicts. In communication with Mursion avatars, students assumed the roles of diplomats representing the European Union, Russia, China, the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Their task was to conduct an information-gathering dialogue to assess each party’s strategic goals, red lines and potential pathways to de-escalation. The simulation challenged students to apply theoretical knowledge of international relations to a dynamic and unpredictable scenario that tested diplomacy under pressure.

Belo described the experience as “a milestone in integrating experiential learning with the study of international security.”

"By using the Mursion platform, students were not only able to simulate real-world diplomatic negotiations but also develop empathy, adaptability and policy reasoning in a way that traditional lectures can’t replicate,” he said.

Mahfood emphasized that the collaboration reflects Webster’s commitment to pedagogical innovation and cross-departmental learning. “This partnership between the School of Education and the Department of History, Politics and International Relations showcases how technology can transform the learning environment,” she said. “Students engaged deeply with complex global issues while developing essential interpersonal and communication skills."

This type of exercise paves the way for Webster University to lead in preparing students for careers in international relations, equipping them with the analytical, diplomatic and communication skills demanded in today’s global environment. By merging technology, experiential learning and academic rigor, Webster continues to position itself at the forefront of innovative global education.