iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Emma Palmer-Cooper

University of Southampton @unisouthampton.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Stop scrolling, start colouring! Our researchers have found colouring (even on phones and tablets) can improve students’ mental wellbeing. Find out more: southampton.pulse.ly/v5lzqhmhq8

An overhead, close-up shot shows a person’s hands drawing on an iPad. The screen displays a colourful, abstract geometric drawing with shades of blue, purple, white, and coral.

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

5. Rest! You can’t be your best self when you’re not rested. Making space and time to rest in whatever way works for you, be it sleep, time to yourself, or time with others. Plan it in like you would studying, lectures, or work. Is there anything I’ve missed?

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

4. Don’t use generative AI to write your assignment. We can tell, it doesn’t write the answer properly, and you’re cheating yourself out of learning. As a dyslexic sometimes GenAI can help me rephrase a sentence to organise my thoughts coherently. But you’re at uni to learn critical thinking.

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

3. Use a reference manager. Read an academic paper? Download the PDF and save the reference. When you want to read it again, or reference it in an assignment it only takes one click. AND it’s formatted in whatever style you need (Hello APA 7th). Most universities have free access to these.

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

2. Make the most of the spaces you have access to, when you can. Save your personal spaces as much as possible for rest. Libraries, student lounges, study spaces, they’re all there for you to use. And they provide boundaries between studying and personal life. Also, free WiFi and electricity!

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Five habits I’d love new psychology students to adopt in their first year at university: 1. Ask questions. You’re at uni to learn, so make sure you rinse your Lecturers, Professors, and peers for all the knowledge they have. Ask the question in a lecture, go to office hours, talk to your friends.

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The best improvements were in emotional wellbeing, personal fulfilment, quality of life, social-emotional support, spiritual fulfilment, and self-care.

A graphical abstract that is titled mindful colouring for student well-being: paper versus digital format. It is separated into three panels where the first has an image of people and underneath says N equals 297. There is a Calendar icon that says micro intervention, two weeks greater than equal to symbol 6×10 minute sessions the second panel has a picture of paper colouring then says versus and then the same colouring pattern pictured on an icon of a mobile phone screen and the third panel says that there is a down arrow next to stress depression trait, anxiety, and state anxiety and an up arrow next to quality of life and mindfulness with a smiley face icon regular mindful colouring over two weeks improves student well-being is the final message

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Is all screentime bad? Our latest paper found students who completed digital or paper colouring intervention reported lower perceptions of stress, and fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety, alongside higher mindfulness and quality of life. emmapalmercooper.co.uk/2026/09/18/i...

emmapalmercooper.co.uk

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Reposted by Emma Palmer-Cooper

jordon millward @askjordon.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Introducing my latest guest @dremmaclaire.bsky.social where we discuss her teaching and work in psychology #psychology #podcast #science #teaching #academia full ep 👇 Sitting Down with Scholars 47 youtu.be/HQ5OE5hF2FM askjordon.substack.com/p/sitting-do...

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Reposted by Emma Palmer-Cooper

The Psychologist @psychmag.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Voices In Psychology: Me and AI Featuring Sarah Rudebeck, Rachel Francois-Walcott, @alererou.bsky.social and Steph Sayan, and Amy Moreno. www.bps.org.uk/psychologist... With thanks to @dremmaclaire.bsky.social @ajohnstone.bsky.social

bps.org.uk

Voices In Psychology: Me and AI | BPS

Reflections on how AI can support, but not replace, human care in psychology.

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Our new paper is out today in on phantom phone signals! Over 85% of students had experienced at least one type of phone-related hallucination but they generally weren’t upsetting or disruptive. They’re mainly linked to problematic phone use, as well and proneness to hallucinations and delusions.

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Reposted by Emma Palmer-Cooper

The Psychologist @psychmag.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Reimagining imagination through the minds of fiction readers… @georgiapunton.bsky.social (Postdoctoral Research Associate, Durham University). www.bps.org.uk/psychologist...

bps.org.uk

Reimagining imagination through the minds of fiction readers | BPS

Georgia Punton (Postdoctoral Research Associate, Durham University).

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

This was such a fun article to write about Tulpamancers, based on our research as part of the @echrhallucinations.bsky.social and @theichr.bsky.social

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Reposted by Emma Palmer-Cooper

The Psychologist @psychmag.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

‘They can turn a normal city street into a jungle' Ella Rhodes spoke to Dr Reshanne Reeder @kerblooee.bsky.social (University of Liverpool), who researches extremes of mental imagery, individual differences in mental imagery, and their impacts. www.bps.org.uk/psychologist...

bps.org.uk

‘They can turn a normal city street into a jungle' | BPS

Ella Rhodes spoke to Dr Reshanne Reeder (Lecturer in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Liverpool), who researches extremes of mental imagery, individual differences in mental imagery,...

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Reposted by Emma Palmer-Cooper

The Psychologist @psychmag.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

'Why don’t we hallucinate every time we imagine?' Ella Rhodes spoke to @nadinedijkstra.bsky.social, a principal research fellow at the Department of Imaging Neuroscience (University College London), where she leads the Imagine Reality Lab. www.bps.org.uk/psychologist...

bps.org.uk

'Why don’t we hallucinate every time we imagine?' | BPS

Ella Rhodes spoke to Dr Nadine Dijkstra, a principal research fellow at the Department of Imaging Neuroscience (University College London), where she leads the Imagine Reality Lab.

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Reposted by Emma Palmer-Cooper

The Psychologist @psychmag.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Reality shifting – at the boundaries of the brain. @aldersonday.bsky.social explores extremes of the imagination… www.bps.org.uk/psychologist...

bps.org.uk

Reality shifting – at the boundaries of the brain | BPS

Ben Alderson-Day explores extremes of the imagination…

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

They found something about cats during those specific ages had a slight negative effect. The study didn't go into specifics like pet loss or ownership details so they didn’t have many explanations for why this might be. Nonetheless, pet ownership is generally shown to be beneficial for wellbeing!

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Does owning a cat negatively impact your wellbeing as a child? I have been asked questions about this study that reports owning a cat between ages 4-5 might have a negative impact on emotions and behaviours by age 7. Overall they found that pets overall are beneficial… youtube.com/shorts/ni_VB...

youtube.com

Does owning a cat negatively impact your wellbeing as a child?

YouTube video by Dr Emma Claire

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Can you taste words or see music? Synesthesia is a condition where the senses mix - sounds might evoke shapes, or sight of letters might evoke colour. Affecting about 4% of people, it's a unique brain connection where one sense triggers an experience in another. youtube.com/shorts/cjati...

youtube.com

Can you taste words?

YouTube video by Dr Emma Claire

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

In February, I had an incredible chance to learn from BBC broadcasters through #bbcexpertwomen my about becoming an expert commentator. I gained so much knowledge and even got to practice a TV sound bite – how did I do? youtube.com/shorts/doiSq...

youtube.com

BBC expert women training

YouTube video by Dr Emma Claire

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

More common hallucinations experiences to brighten up your feed! Sleep-related hallucinations are know as Hypnogogic (falling asleep) & Hypnopompic (waking up). There very common in the general population & don’t mean you’re experiencing a mental health problem. youtube.com/shorts/lvM0Z...

youtube.com

If you’ve ever heard a voice or seen a figure while falling asleep or waking up, watch this!

YouTube video by Dr Emma Claire

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Have you hallucinated recently? Research has suggested anywhere between 25% and 90% of people have had a phone related hallucination, known as a phantom phone signal, where they think their phone has made a notification sound or vibration and it actually hasn't! youtube.com/shorts/LB_7w...

youtube.com

Have you hallucinated recently? #hallucination #phantomphonesignal

YouTube video by Dr Emma Claire

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Whilst some aspects of AI reduce barriers to accessing mental health help and support, in reality there are digital barriers that can reduce meaningful or informed access. When psychosis is related to reduced social interactions, there’s a risk that AI will further impact this social isolation.

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Technological experts said AI can be scalable and efficiently support healthcare systems. But they were concerned about gaps between gaps between legal regulations and technological development, and AI literacy in users.

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Clinicians were cautiously optimistic about using AI as a tool between in person sessions but concerned about the lack of genuine emotion and responsibility relating to safeguarding during a crisis.

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Concerns involved having no choice between this and human care. Also covering privacy and data security, and lack of authentic human connection. They also highlighted how with a human connection you would be able make stakes and learn from it which doesn’t happen with AI which is overly affirming.

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Ethics should be part of the design from the start rather than a check list that you use. Very cool study about user perspectives on ethics for conversational AI. People with experience of psychosis liked AI for lower threshold for access, personalised interactions and agency.

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

In a great #sirs2026 session about AI and ethical use in mental health care. Loes Jonker explains that reality is ahead of research. Whilst conversational AI CAN be useful for mental health support, commercial apps are often limited and prioritise extended use not therapeutic intervention.

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Very interesting point by Dr Anne-Kathrin Fett, that people with psychosis like being alone a lot less than people without psychosis, but are alone more. So more is needed to support social interactions and make welcoming people with psychosis to social spaces. #SIRS2026

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Are you interested in supporting research to develop a questionnaire assessing smartphone use? Share your thoughts by taking part in the online study below: southampton.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

That was a lot of the debate today! I agree. I don’t think we currently have a solution other than destigmatise through dedicated social communication campaigns.

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Clinical Reality should be that AI is an adjunct tool not a replacement. Human judgement is essential, we can’t remove the human from clinical interactions.

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Susan Rossell now talks about ethical considerations of using GenAI to detect schizophrenia through speech Where ethical frameworks should consider - Privacy & Confidentiality - Informed Consent - Accuracy & Reliability - Stigma & Discrimination - Bias & Fairness - Autonomy & Governance

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Symposium at #SIRS2026 on Responsible use of GenAI in psychosis. Eric Lin presented a great paper & found users can enter lengthy spirals of conversation with chatbots where the validation from GenAI can lead to much longer conversation. Preprint here arxiv.org/pdf/2603.16567

arxiv.org

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

First session today at #SIRS2026 is a debate about Renaming Schizophrenia. Dr Stefan Leucht argues yes, if we rename we can choose a name that is not stigmatised. Maybe Positive & Negative Syndrome? Dr Wolfgang Gaebel says no. We’ve already renamed it multiple times! What do you think?

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

If it wasn't for Right to Choose I would still be waiting. Wondering what was wrong with me. Nothing was. I was grieving & managing motherhood, which made my attentional & emotional dysregulation even harder to manage. I'm so angry for the people still waiting. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

ADHD services shutting door to new NHS patients as demand soars, BBC finds

A BBC investigation finds that a host of areas in England are closing waiting lists and others are rationing care.

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

I’m Guest Editing this and looking for research on trust, transparency, ethics, user experience, individual differences, and the challenges of implementing AI in real‑world services, with a focus on developing safe, equitable, and effective AI‑enabled interventions.

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Calling all Mental Health and AI researchers. A new Special Issue of Behavioural Sciences is now open for contributions on attitudes and opinions towards AI in mental health care. www.mdpi.com/journal/beha...

Submit your article!
Announcing the launch of a Special Issue of Behavioural Sciences on “People’s Attitudes and Opinions Towards AI in Mental Health Care.”
We invite research exploring how service users, clinicians, and developers perceive and interact with AI‑supported mental health tools — including trust, transparency, ethics, lived experience, individual differences, real‑world implementation, and user‑centred design.

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Emma Palmer-Cooper @dremmaclaire.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Short answer: yes it would impact access to services. It would reduce protections, increase the risk of discrimination, & weaken the structural support for mental health services. The Mental Health Bill aims to give people more autonomy, dignity & choice in their treatment when they are in services.

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