FUTURES EXPO SERIES
BIG ANXIETY RESEARCH CENTRE / FEEL LAB
Transforming mental health through cultural innovation
RESEARCH GROUP
Big Anxiety Research Centre ’ s fEEL lab brings together specialists in immersive media , participatory design , trauma studies and psychology to advance new methods in the study of embodied subjective experience – particularly in the two areas of trauma and ageing .
Scientia Professor Jill Bennett ’ s Australian Research Council Laureate Lab ( fEEL ) has produced a world-first purpose-built interactive VR experience developed with suicide survivors for suicide prevention , currently trialled by Headspace QLD ( funding : Movember , Suicide Prevention Australia , NSW Health ).
Additionally , the centre has introduced an innovative use of embodied AI , including a therapist and an AI character designed to simulate living with dementia . This project employs Large Language Models ( LLM ) trained with data from real-life experiences to educate support workers . It ' s currently being tested in aged care settings and has garnered attention from major media outlets , including ABC TV , AP , CBS , and a BBC documentary .
Another significant achievement is the creation of Embodimap , an interactive VR tool designed for trauma support and emotion regulation . This tool is now being utilised in clinical , governmental , and educational programs .
These technological advancements aim to bridge the gap in communitybased mental health and psychosocial supports , addressing needs in areas such as trauma , anxiety , emotion regulation , and loneliness .
8 •