The Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) is offering an exciting full-time PhD scholarship under the prestigious European INTERREG North-West Europe (NWE) “Forest4Youth” project. This scholarship provides an excellent opportunity for early-stage researchers passionate about mental health, virtual reality (VR), and forest therapy.
About the “Forest4Youth” Project
The INTERREG NWE Forest4Youth project is an innovative research initiative that aims to investigate the impact of forest therapy on adolescent mental health (ages 12-18). Adolescents in North-Western European countries, including Germany (17%), Belgium (19.5%), Luxembourg (19%), France (20%), and Ireland (16%), experience mental health disorders at rates higher than the EU average of 17.5% (Eurostat). Given the rising burden on psychiatric services, the project seeks non-pharmacological solutions to help improve mental well-being.
Why Forest Therapy?
Emerging research indicates that forest therapy can significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, fostering emotional resilience and well-being. However, not all patients have access to natural forest settings due to mobility issues, allergies, fear of insects, or unfamiliar outdoor sounds. This project explores Virtual Reality (VR)-based forest immersion as a potential alternative or complement to traditional nature therapy. While real forests provide multi-sensory benefits, VR has also demonstrated stress-reducing effects, making it an attractive substitute for those unable to visit forests physically.
Objectives of the PhD Research
This PhD thesis, under the supervision of Prof. Malgorzata Klass and Jennifer Foucart, will focus on assessing the impact of VR-based forest immersion on adolescent mental health. The primary goal is to determine whether VR can serve as an effective stand-alone therapy or be used alongside real forest immersion.
The research will involve:
- Reviewing existing literature and best practices
- Conducting qualitative focus groups with mental health professionals, VR experts, and patients
- Developing and implementing pilot protocols for VR-based and real forest therapy
- Analyzing the effects of both VR and natural forest immersion on adolescents experiencing mental health issues
- Collaborating with European mental health experts, foresters, and researchers
- Publishing scientific articles based on findings from the study.
Work Environment and Benefits
- The PhD researcher will be based at the Saint-Martin Neuropsychiatric Center near Namur, Belgium, with regular meetings in Brussels and field visits in Champagne-Ardenne.
- This full-time doctoral scholarship is funded until the end of 2028.
- The research will contribute to innovative non-pharmacological mental health treatments.
- The PhD candidate will work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary European research environment, gaining extensive networking opportunities across international institutions.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for this PhD scholarship, applicants must have:
- A Master’s degree (120 ECTS credits) in a relevant field, such as movement sciences, exercise physiology, psychology, neuropsychology, medical sciences, or public health.
- Experience or strong interest in mental health/psychiatry, preferably with adolescents.
- Interest in forest therapy and virtual reality applications.
- Experience in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
- Strong writing and synthesis skills.
- Fluency in English and French (both written and spoken).
- Willingness to travel within Europe for research collaborations.
Key Deadline
The last date to apply for the Full-time PhD Scholarship at Université libre de Bruxelles is February 25, 2025.
