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In late February 2026 we brought together researchers, lived experience partners and collaborators to mark the launch of the Complex Emotions Hub. While much of the work has already been developing behind the scenes over the past year, this meeting was our opportunity to come together in person, share progress, and shape the next phase of the project. Across the day we heard updates from different parts of the Hub, explored ideas that will shape our research, and created space for discussion and reflection.
As one attendee reflected:
‘What a great day! I really enjoyed the opportunity to meet ‘in real life’ with research and LEAP colleagues, and I came away with a strong sense of collaborative energy and shared commitment and collective drive. Everyone contributed such rich knowledge and expertise, bringing together lived, professional, clinical and research experience in what felt like a genuinely integrated way. There is much work ahead, but I feel really optimistic about our progress towards shared goals - developing broader, more multi-faceted and strengths-focused understandings of complex emotions, and identifying where we should focus efforts to reduce the distress associated with these experiences. Such a privilege to be working with this multi-talented team!’
Alex, Research Fellow, Plymouth
Building connections
We began the morning with a welcome from Scott, followed by an icebreaker led by Vanessa. Using postcards as prompts, participants were invited to reflect on how they were approaching the day and share a little about themselves.
This simple activity helped shift the tone from formal introductions to more personal connections, setting the stage for open discussion throughout the day.
'I really enjoyed meeting and getting to know the fantastic team behind the Hub at yesterday's launch, and some of my brilliant fellow LEAP members! The day went by in a blur, but the conversations I got to be a part of were inspiring and thought-provoking, and has propelled me to come up with new ideas and contributions for the Hub and other related projects. I'm so grateful I got to be a part of the experience.'
Tiffany, LEAP Member
Recruitment: taking stock and looking ahead
The first session focused on recruitment to the Hub study, with Sally presenting a stock take of progress so far. This provided an opportunity for the group to reflect on what has been working well and where there may be opportunities to strengthen recruitment moving forward.
Discussion followed on how different partners—including NHS services, community organisations and lived experience networks—can help reach people who identify with experiences of complex emotions.
Rapid-fire research updates
Late morning brought a series of rapid updates from the Hub’s work packages, offering a glimpse into the range of research underway.
Qualitative research – Professor Felicity Thomas and Alex Gude
Felicity and Alex shared how qualitative interviews will creatively explore participants’ personal narratives and the meanings people attach to their experiences of complex emotions - using innovative journey mapping methods.
Ecological Momentary Analysis (EMA) – Professor Chris Burton
Chris introduced the Hub’s EMA study, which will use Apps combined with wearable devices and brief daily prompts to explore how emotions and experiences change in real time.
Evidence synthesis – Dr Jo Leaviss
Jo discussed initial findings and further developments from the Hub’s systematic review, highlighting how published research into complex emotions spans many different theoretical traditions and taking a critical realist approach will offer further insights into the known causes and mechanisms of complex emotions.
Lived experience input and evaluation - Elissa Thompson and Tiffany (LEAP member) Elissa and Tiffany shared findings from a LEAP evaluation, offering reflections on how the Lived Experience Advisory Panel has been working within the Hub so far. This session highlighted the importance of ensuring lived experience voices remain central in shaping the direction of the research.
Supporting the next generation of researchers - Dr Justin Yang The rapid fire sessions concluded with Justin presenting his exciting Platform Early Career Researcher Fellowship WISDOM, an initiative designed programme of research exploring the socioemotions drivers of severe and enduring mental health, using innovative methods from clinical text analysis, environmental analsysis and real time data.
Together, these updates demonstrated the multi-method approach the Hub is taking to understand complex emotions from different angles.
'What productive day - jam-packed, positive and collaborative.! There was a great energy in the room, and a real sense of momentum and authenticity - with early wins and challenges given equal weight.’ Deb, LEAP member
Thinking about theory: putting the puzzle together
One of the final sessions of the day focused on one of the Hub’s central questions: how should we think about complex emotions?
At the Complex Emotions Hub, one of our aims is to move beyond purely clinical or diagnostic descriptions and towards more multi-faceted, person-centred understandings.
We know that experiences of complex emotions are rarely linear. They are shaped by many interplaying influences—personal history, relationships and wider social contexts—woven together uniquely for each person.
Our team reflects this diversity of perspectives. Alongside our LEAP members, who bring lived experience and expertise, the research team includes colleagues from general practice, psychiatry, occupational therapy, mental health nursing and social work. Our thinking draws on a range of ideas including attachment theory, epigenetics, ecological models, biological perspectives and social justice frameworks.
Rather than focusing on one explanation, we are interested in how these different influences interact and coalesce in each person’s experience.
When we think about complex emotions, there are many pieces of the puzzle. Our research aims to understand which pieces matter most for different people, how individuals make sense of their own experiences, and what kinds of support might make the greatest difference.
Ultimately, this knowledge can help shape more effective support across clinical pathways, community organisations and wider systems.
Looking ahead
The launch meeting marked an important milestone for the Hub, but it also felt like the beginning of a new phase.
Over the coming months the team will continue recruiting participants, conducting interviews and momentary studies, and developing the evidence base needed to better understand complex emotions and support those who experience them.
We look forward to sharing more as the research progresses.
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