Faculty/School

Faculty of Science

School of Computer Science

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

Supervisors

Dr David Conroy
Position
Course Coordinator
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Science
Dr Joel Harman
Position
Associate Lecturer
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Science
Associate Professor Selen Turkay
Position
Associate Professor in Computer Human Interaction
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Science

Overview

This interdisciplinary project explores the psychological and physiological impacts of various virtual environments and body postures on relaxation, utilizing principles from psychology, human-computer interaction, and kinesiology.

Research engagement

literature review, co-design, lab-based work,

Research activities

Literature Review (work with Dr. Turkay): Students will conduct reviews of existing research on virtual reality, relaxation techniques, and the influence of body posture on psychological states.

Co-Design and Prototype Development (work with Dr. Harman and Dr Conroy): Students will come up with an application design based on a co-design approach working with HDR students at the School of Computer Science.

Experimental Design and Execution (work with Dr Turkay): Participate in the design and setup of virtual reality experiments, including the calibration of VR equipment and environments.

Data Collection and Analysis (work with Dr Turkay and Dr Harman): Engage in the collection and preliminary analysis of data regarding participant relaxation levels in different VR settings and postures.

Outcomes

The project aims to identify optimal virtual settings and body postures that enhance relaxation. Outcomes include academic publications, enhanced VR relaxation protocols, and potentially new standards for therapeutic VR applications.

Skills and experience

Candidates should be pursuing a degree in psychology, computer science, or a related field and have a strong interest in virtual reality research. Prior experience with VR technologies or physiological data collection is a plus but not required.

Start date

15 November, 2024

End date

15 February, 2025

Location

QUT Gardens Point Campus

Additional information

Students will have access to:

  • Supervision by experienced researchers in VR and psychological well-being.
  • Training on VR equipment and data analysis software.
  • Opportunities to co-author publications and present findings at conferences.

This project offers an opportunity to delve into cutting-edge research on VR and wellness, suitable for students eager to explore this emerging field.

Keywords

Contact

selen.turkay@qut.edu.au