Dragon Mind is an interdisciplinary initiative developed through a multi-institutional collaboration between Lancaster University and Manchester Metropolitan University, bringing together researchers, software developers, clinicians, practitioner psychologists, and information scientists. The project is grounded in cognitive-behavioural approaches to emotion regulation, with a particular emphasis on Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), a second-wave cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT).
The programme has achieved several significant milestones. Data have been collected both in real-world contexts—including schools and youth-focused charitable organisations—and within controlled laboratory environments, providing a robust and ecologically valid evidence base. Analysis of these datasets is currently underway, with outputs being prepared for peer-reviewed publication.
In parallel, the project team has submitted an application to the Medical Research Council (MRC) for external funding to further develop, evaluate, and scale Dragon Mind. This trajectory underscores the project’s potential to deliver a clinically informed, digitally mediated intervention with meaningful impact on young people’s wellbeing.