BEEHIVE: Brain + Enriched Environments Lab

About the Project

What is the BEEhive?

The Brain and Enriched Environment Lab: BEEhive is a research network focused on understanding how the brain interacts with its environment following trauma. We work closely with clinicians and those with lived neurotrauma experience to develop creative, environment-centred rehabilitation approaches.

Where and Who?

A collaboration between The Hopkins Centre at Griffith University and the Gold Coast Hospital’s Neurosciences Rehabilitation Unit, BEEhive is situated within the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct.

Our multidisciplinary team includes cognitive neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, social scientists, designers, architects, engineers, medical specialists, allied health professionals, and citizen scientists. Together, we partner with industry, government, community, and private organisations to create spaces where people can truly thrive.

Our Mission

Guided by collaboration, personalisation, and sustainable translation, we aim to enhance rehabilitation environments through three key areas:

Tech: Leveraging technological advancements.
Rec: Enhancing recreational opportunities.
Direct: Optimising immediate physical environments.

Our Approach

Our seven-stage research process ensures we deliver practical, personalised, and impactful solutions that make a difference.

BEEHive projects

What effect does virtual reality-based nature exposure have on anxiety and depression in people with brain injury in a hospital rehabilitation ward?

Explore some of the project's co-designed immersive reality nature experiences designed to help reduce, stress and anxiety.

Related publications:

The project team are delighted to share the latest publication for this project below.

Michael F. Norwood, Chelsea H. Marsh, Danielle Pretty, Izak Hollins, Camila Shirota, Ben Chen, Louise Gustafsson, Elizabeth Kendall, Susan Jones & Heidi Zeeman (12 Feb 2025): The environment as an important component of neurorehabilitation: introducing the BEEhive - brain and enriched environment (BEE) lab (hive), Disability and Rehabilitation.

Revolutionising neurotrauma care involves rethinking healthcare environments to support recovery. Traditional spaces, focused on safety and efficiency, can unintentionally stress patients. Environmental enrichment provides benefits including increasing therapy engagement, reducing depression, fostering social connections, and alleviating stress. The Beehive Lab integrates principles of environmental enrichment to enhance rehabilitation outcomes. This initiative bridges research and practice, offering innovative solutions for more supportive, healing environments.