Virtual reality, emotional memory, and biosignal markers for early depression research

This Master’s project investigates how immersive virtual reality (VR) can be used to study emotional autobiographical memory and its relevance to mental health. The project is part of a larger interdisciplinary research programme exploring how emotional experiences and memory change over time.

The student will work on a longitudinal VR-based study in which participants engage with emotionally evocative virtual environments and complete memory tasks across multiple sessions. The role will involve refining the study protocol, supporting participant data collection, and analysing behavioural and self-report data such as memory accuracy, response time, confidence, and emotional vividness.

The project is grounded in culturally responsive research, with VR environments co-designed alongside Māori partners to ensure they are meaningful, respectful, and safe. Advanced VR development and biosignal analysis will be supported by the wider research team, allowing the student to focus on study execution and data interpretation.

This project is well suited to students interested in psychology, HCI, XR, or digital health, and offers hands-on research experience with opportunities to contribute to academic publications.

• Background in psychology, clinical sciences, computer science, engineering, HCI, or a related discipline
• Interest in mental health, emotion, or memory research
• Comfortable working with human participants and research protocols
• Basic quantitative or computational skills (e.g. statistics, R, Python, MATLAB, or SPSS), or strong willingness to develop them
• Ability to work across disciplines and communicate with both technical and non-technical collaborators

Desired (but not required)

• Coursework or introductory experience in physiology, neuroscience, or biosignals (e.g. EEG, HRV, EDA)
• Familiarity with experimental data analysis or signal-based datasets
• Exposure to VR/XR, digital health, or human-centred systems

Marsden Fast Start

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