Film and immersive work
Two projects where I helped tell a story
One was in a headset and one was on BBC Two. They rest on the same idea. When people who have lived something help to tell it, others understand it differently.
Immersive
Impulse: Playing with Reality
Impulse is a mixed reality experience about ADHD, made by the creative studio Anagram and narrated by Tilda Swinton. One person at a time wears a headset and moves through a game-like space alongside four animated documentary stories. I am one of the four contributors whose stories it tells.
It was shown at Undershed, the immersive gallery at Watershed in Bristol, in 2025. I have attended live viewings and several live audience question and answer sessions.
What the impact study found
Anagram published an impact study of Impulse in 2026, commissioned by Agog. It followed 118 people: 54 with ADHD or who thought they might have it, 42 who know someone with ADHD and 22 with no connection to it. 106 of them completed a follow-up a month later.
89 percent said they felt immersed or strongly immersed in the experience.
Knowledge about how ADHD works and feels rose straight after the experience, and most of that learning was still there a month later.
People first became aware of stigma in their own attitudes that they had not noticed. A month later, around 60 percent showed lower stigma than straight after.
People with higher empathy reported more supportive behaviour towards people with ADHD.
How to read this
The group was self-selecting and highly educated, with more than three quarters holding a bachelor's or master's degree, and behaviour was reported by the participants themselves. It shows promise, not proof.
Lead researcher Dr Alexandra Sierra, with supervisor Dr Sandra Gaudenzi. Study commissioned by Agog, in partnership with Anagram.
Immersive technology and the justice system
I am in discussions with Anagram, and with innovators on the Mindset-XR programme, about how extended and mixed reality could play a part in the justice space, for people in prison and for people leaving it. It is early, and I will share more when there is something to share.
Television
The Book That Changed My Life
In this BBC Arts documentary, made by Blink Films for BBC Two, Queen Camilla meets four people whose lives were changed by a book at the moment they most needed it. I am one of the four. The film also looks at the evidence on how reading can improve health and wellbeing. It is available on BBC iPlayer.
Reading is at the heart of my story. My reading lists are on the Reading page.
Work with me
If you are building immersive or digital tools for mental health, employment or justice, or you want a speaker or workshop that draws on both projects, I would be glad to talk.