Abstract: Computer-implemented method for providing a virtual collaboration environment for a plurality of users, each user being associated with one of a plurality of client devices that are connected via a data network, the method comprising capturing live images of each of the plurality of users, visualizing a GUI on a display of each of the client devices, displaying, within each GUI, live images of at least a subset of the plurality of users, receiving a first user input from any user of the subset requesting audio communication with any other user of the subset, starting a first communication session between a first client device associated with the requesting user and a second client device associated with the other user, automatically enabling mutual audio communication between the first client device and the second client device, and displaying, within each GUI, a first graphical indicator of the ongoing first communication session and the users involved in the ongoing first communication session.