ReMindVR: Designing emotionally expressive virtual reality for mental health

Fully funded | Masters

Immersive environments can shape how we recall memories, experience emotion, and reflect on wellbeing. ReMindVR is an interdisciplinary project exploring how virtual reality might support early detection of depression through emotionally expressive and culturally grounded environments.

This Master’s project focuses on designing and developing VR scenes that evoke specific emotional states, such as awe, fear, or boredom, and evaluating their effects on memory and mood. The student will contribute to VR prototyping, experience design, and a user study with young adults.

Ideal for students interested in XR, HCI, affective computing, and mental health innovation.

Desired skills

  • Background in engineering, computer science, HCI, or a related field
  • Experience with the Unity and C# scripting for VR development
  • Interest in immersive systems, interaction design, or digital mental health
  • Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across disciplines

Desired (but not required)

  • Experience with user studies or usability testing
  • Basic data analysis skills (e.g., Python, R, SPSS)
  • Interest in culturally grounded design and working with diverse communities
  • Basic understanding of physiological sensing systems (e.g., heart rate, EEG)

Funding

Marsden Fast Start

Contact and supervisors

For more information or to apply for this project, please follow the link to the supervisors below: 

Contact/Main supervisor

Supporting Supervisors

Page expires: 15 June 2026

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