About

This research reimagines mental health spaces by integrating sound-based artistic interventions to foster therapeutic environments. These interventions align with ongoing reforms under the UK Mental Health Act, which emphasise patient choice, autonomy, and participatory approaches in mental health care. The project seeks to challenge traditional institutional norms by incorporating innovative, sensory-focused methodologies that place the patient experience at the centre of mental health space design.

The research builds upon interdisciplinary frameworks, blending principles from sound studies, spatial theory, and socially engaged art. It explores how sound, as a medium, can address the often-overlooked sensory and emotional dimensions of mental health environments, which are frequently dominated by abrasive auditory stimuli such as alarms and loud voices. By creating alternative soundscapes, this project aims to reduce stress, enhance well-being, and promote a sense of safety and empowerment among patients.

Collaboration with Hospital Rooms, a pioneering arts and mental health organisation, will ensure that the interventions are co-designed with patients, healthcare professionals, and artists. This participatory approach not only amplifies marginalised voices but also ensures the interventions are practical and impactful. The use of accessible and sustainable audio technologies will further support the feasibility and adaptability of the project across various mental health settings.

Through a series of workshops, site-specific installations, and iterative evaluations, the research will produce both theoretical and practical outcomes. These include a groundbreaking sonic manual—a reimagined thesis format that documents the processes and findings—and public engagement activities such as exhibitions and presentations. By bridging academic research with real-world applications, the project aspires to influence policy, contribute to interdisciplinary scholarship, and inspire a new understanding of the role of sound in health and care. Ultimately, it positions arts-based practices as vital tools in creating more humane, inclusive, and effective mental health spaces.