Optimise your Mind

Can we tell if buildings affect how we feel and perform? This research explores whether we can improve brain functioning and mental health through built environment design. Using virtual reality and measuring brain, body, and behavioural data to try and better understand the impact of our homes, offices, schools, and hospitals.

Dr Isabella Bower is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of South Australia. Her research intersects the life and social sciences, exploring whether we can improve brain functioning and mental health through built environment design.

While most of us are tucked up in bed each night, 2-million Australian shiftworkers are awake and working. Targeting lifestyle behaviours, including sleep, diet, and physical activity is key for improving health outcomes for shiftworkers. This presentation will demonstrate that optimising the timing of these health behaviours is what gives us the best chance to stop the adverse effects of shiftwork.

Dr Gupta is a postdoctoral research fellow at Central Queensland University.