Open Projects
Six-month projects
Thesis type: MSc
Title: Social touch perception in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Description: In collaboration with the Multiple Sklerose Zentrum Dresden, this project explores the role of social touch experiences and attitudes among patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Specifically, it investigates whether comfort provided through physical touch can alleviate stress and enhance the quality of the patient-practitioner care relationship. Additionally, the study examines the perception and effectiveness of technology-mediated touch interactions in telemedicine settings, addressing how such interactions may replicate or differ from in-person touch experiences. By integrating insights from social touch research and technological advancements, the project aims to contribute to more empathetic and effective care practices for MS patients.
Starting date: 2026-27
Data type: Data to be collected (online survey)
Ideal student’s background: psychology, neuroscience, medicine
Supervisor and contact: Dr. Irene Valori,
Responsible Professor: Junior Professor Merle Fairhurst
Thesis type: MSc
Title: Thermal Rendering of Interpersonal Distance in VR
Description: This project investigates the user experience of thermal feedback as an augmentation of interpersonal distance in virtual reality (VR). By rendering subtle temperature changes to simulate proximity between avatars, the study examines users' emotional, cognitive, and physiological responses to thermal cues. The goal is to unveil how thermal rendering influences the perception of interpersonal space, immersion, and social presence in VR environments, ultimately contributing to the development of meaningful virtual experiences.
Starting date: 2026-27
Data type: Data to be collected (in lab testing)
Ideal student’s background: psychology, neuroscience
Supervisor and contact: Junior Professor Merle Fairhurst
Thesis type: MSc
Title: Social Touch in Isolated, Confined, and Extreme (ICE) Environments. Collaboration with the German Institute of Space Research (DLR)
Description: In collaboration with the German Institute of Space Research (DLR), this project examines the effects of Isolated, Confined, and Extreme (ICE) environments—such as those encountered in space exploration—on social touch deprivation. The research investigates the impact of prolonged isolation on emotional well-being and interpersonal connection, as well as the potential benefits of mediated touch countermeasures.
Starting date: 2026-28
Data type: Systematic review and/or data to be collected
Ideal student’s background: psychology, neuroscience
Supervisor and contact: Junior Professor Merle Fairhurst
Thesis type: MSc
Title: Social touch to comfort: effects on stress parameters of the toucher
Description: This project investigates how providing comforting touch influences the person who delivers it. While most research has focused on the recipient of touch, this study shifts the perspective to the toucher, exploring how empathetic engagement during social touch shapes their experience. Specifically, it examines whether offering comfort through touch reduces stress in the toucher and how these effects manifest on neural, physiological, and subjective levels. By linking empathy, stress regulation, and touch behaviors, the project seeks to clarify why humans instinctively use touch to support others and what benefits it may confer on the giver.
Starting date: 2026-27
Data type: systematic literature review and/or online study to be conducted
Ideal student’s background: psychology, neuroscience
Supervisor and contact: Dr. Irene Valori,
Responsible Professor: Junior Professor Merle Fairhurst
Thesis type: MSc
Title: Interpersonal social touch in Virtual Reality
Description: The project investigates how people perceive interpersonal, social touch in Virtual Reality. The candidate for this student project can proficiently use Blender and Unity to create 360° scenarios and animations of avatars performing dynamic interpersonal tactile gestures (e.g. a gentle caress on the touchee’s arm). The student will also conduct lab-based experiments to test the scenarios with participants.
Starting date: 2026-28
Data type: empirical data to be collected
Ideal student’s background: computer science, miscellaneous (skills with Unity, Blender, game development are required)
Supervisor and contact: Dr. Irene Valori,
Responsible Professor: Junior Professor Merle Fairhurst
Three-month projects
Thesis type: BSc
Title: Social touch as a source of comfort: the role of empathy and individual differences in the toucher
Description: This project experimentally investigates how providing comforting touch influences the person who delivers it. While most research has focused on the recipient, this study examines the toucher, with an emphasis on empathy and the role of individual differences. Conducted as an online experiment on Gorilla, participants will be presented with scenarios simulating comforting touch interactions. Subjective measures will be collected, including self-reported stress, emotional state, and empathic concern, alongside trait-level assessments such as dispositional empathy, touch attitudes, and stress sensitivity.
Starting date: 2026-27
Data type: empirical data to be collected
Ideal student’s background: psychology
Supervisor and contact: Dr. Irene Valori,
Responsible Professor: Junior Professor Merle Fairhurst
Thesis type: BSc
Title: Movement dynamics of social touch: kinematic profiles of different touch behaviours
Description: The project investigates the kinematic characteristics of social touch. Students will conduct a literature review on how motor parameters help us understand the processes and meanings behind touch behaviours. They will review literature on research questions such as: What are the motor, kinematic parameters that describe affective touch? Do we touch objects or social others differently? Does touch look different when used to express different emotional meanings? Do we move differently when touching different body areas of other people? Do we move differently when touching others according to the type of relationship (e.g. familiarity, trust)?
Starting date: 2027-28
Data type: literature review to be conducted
Ideal student’s background: psychology, neuroscience
Supervisor and contact: Dr. Irene Valori,
Responsible Professor: Junior Professor Merle Fairhurst