Award winning Psychological Science: Blending innovation and empathy

On this UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate Ashley Howard Kerr’s trailblazing contributions to our Bachelor of Psychological Science and her role in inspiring students who will become future mental health practitioners.

"Despite it being 2025, women are still an underrepresented community in many fields, including science and technology," says Professor Matthew Mundy, Executive Dean, Health and Education.

Shaping the future of mental health with innovation

Ashley and colleagues at Torrens University are part of a growing movement to transform psychological science, blending cutting-edge technology with human connection. As women continue to lead and innovate in this space, they’re demonstrating how technology can be used with science to bring about better mental health outcomes.

Ashley’s work demonstrates how technology can enhance -not replace -the human element in psychological care. By blending immersive tech with a focus on emotional intelligence, students gain the practical tools and experience to make a difference.

“Empathy and human connection are as important as the science itself," Ashley explains.

“In our program, we aim to foster that balance - giving students the chance to develop their technical skills while also cultivating the emotional resilience and understanding that will make them exceptional professionals."

Students enter a virtual brain control room activity

“Through artificial intelligence and extended reality, we have crafted an award-winning learning program,” explains Ashley. “It’s practical learning, it’s very hands-on and our graduates are better placed to serve society, and for this, I am extremely proud.”

Ashley and her team comprised of learning experience designers and XR developers developed a unique learning experience that equips students with the skills and empathy necessary for a rapidly evolving world, and that won ASCILITE award in 2024.

This program isn’t just about theory – it’s about real-world impact.

Through innovative tools such as HealthSync VR Clinic, Virtual Brain Control Room and Neuropathways Extended Reality, students are immersed in simulations that prepare them for careers in psychology, counselling, health sciences, and beyond.

“The set challenge was to combat that many traditional courses focus on solving individual problems in isolation, but they can feel disconnected and repetitive,” said Ashley.

“At Torrens University, my team designed a pathway that makes our course cohesive, brings everything together, helping build knowledge step by step, like climbing a staircase.”

Innovative AI and XR tools

• HealthSync VR Clinic: Imagine stepping into a virtual healthcare setting where you can work with others to solve real-world problems. That’s what HealthSync VR is all about—helping you sharpen your interpersonal and interprofessional skills and learn how to work in teams.
• Virtual Brain Control Room: Explore the brain like never before! In this interactive activity, you will see how distinct parts of the brain work together to perform tasks. You will get hands-on experience with ideas that are usually hard to understand.
• Neuropathways Extended Reality: Want to know how your senses like sight and touch connect to your brain at various stages of development This tool lets you experience it in a way that’s easy to understand and hard to forget.
• Torrino – AI Human Resource Manager: Connect with an AI HR manager to seek advice about real-world, industry problems, while applying your critical thinking to the responses, in a real-life conversation scenario.

“Being a woman in technology is still a rarity. I’m proud to be part of a program that not only pushes boundaries in education but also empowers women to succeed in traditionally male-dominated fields.

“Whether graduates want to work in mental health, education, human resources, or become a psychologist, this degree is ahead of its time – it innovatively provides elevated skills and an abundance of confidence,” says Ashley.