Published: 10th February 2026
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Location: Building 460.1.014 (South Street campus)
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Opening times: Monday to Friday, from 9am-5pm. No bookings required! The room is accessible during teaching weeks, including individual study weeks and throughout the exam period.
The room is open until end of Semester 1, 2026, including the exam period. Feedback and use of the room is important to inform future permanent spaces in MU and contribute to neuro-affirming research.
Co‑designed by student change agents
This initiative was developed by Murdoch students Giselle Hein and Chan Hardeman as part of the Students as Change Agents program and aims to provide a neuroinclusive space that is welcoming and sensory‑friendly.
Giselle Hein said the shared goal is to “make the university more accessible and inclusive,” drawing on her lived experience and consultation with our neurodivergent community.
Staff mentors and supporters
The students were supported by Dr Shu Yau from the School of Psychology and Aaron Green from Equity, Diversity and Inclusion portfolio. The mentors helped support the research and administration behind the project, ensuring best practices in co-designing the room with neurodivergent student and staff,
“This room was designed with and for neurodivergent people, using participatory action research, to understand what helps our students and staff feel safe, calm and included,” said Dr Shu Yau.
“In research led by Chantelle and Giselle, we examined patterns of comfort and distress from our neurodivergent students and staff and embedded their sensory results, insights and suggestions into the space itself. We encourage you to continue to use the room and give us feedback – these are essential to inform how universities create genuinely neuro-inclusive spaces.”
What’s in the room?
The sensory room provides soft lighting and supportive seating, so you can take a moment to reset. It’s not a social space or group study room; it’s a brief refuge when sensory load is high.
Why sensory spaces matter (and why we’re trialling one)
Sensory rooms are widely used in education to support self‑regulation, reduce anxiety, and provide controlled input for neurodivergent students and staff. Good design centres on lighting, acoustics and tactile comfort, creating refuge without distraction.
In support of our strategy Ngala Kwop Biddi, the sensory room provides support to our students and staff, and ensures our campus is welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
How you can help
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Please share this resource with your classes, especially during peak assessment periods. Encourage them to share any feedback they have.
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Help to amplify the pilot by sharing your feedback and ideas. Your feedback and use of the space will contribute to our neurodivergent-informed research to build better, more inclusive spaces and supports in MU and higher education, more broadly.
