Emma Burrows

Pacco pool opens for dogs. Stevie Nicks warmed up to the experience. Chaos, hilarity & lovely community feel.

So grateful for this most spectacular human @hiromitango . 🧠 🌈 🐭

Running on rainbows 🌈 Pursuit University of Melbourne With @dremmaburrows LINK ➡️ ( https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/running-on-rainbows ) Exercise can help protect our mental health, but how can we tap into this mood medicine and stay on track? A human-sized, rainbow hamster wheel may provide some answers. By Dr Emma Burrows, University of Melbourne About Wheel Wheel is a collaboration between artist, Hiromi Tango ( @hiromitango ) and neuroscientist, Emma Burrows ( @dremmaburrows ) that explores the effects of exercise on mood. It is first published for MENTAL: HEAD INSIDE @scigallerymel 2022 and tours nationally and internationally. Scientists have shown that exercise can boost brain plasticity, protect our mental health and help us live longer. Despite this, we make excuses, delay and cancel our next workout. Exercise has been shown to improve our mood but how can we tap into this mood medicine and what keeps us on track? Step up as a volunteer to help researchers explore the influence of social rewards on your exercise commitment.

People often think research is only about finding a cure. A lot of my work is about something quieter and just as important: helping people living with chronic conditions find research that might make everyday life a bit easier. 🧡 Sometimes that means fewer tablets or injections. 🧡 Sometimes it means better sleep, more energy, or less pain. 🧡 Sometimes it is small, slow, and iterative change. I feel really lucky to sit in the middle of it all, helping to connect researchers with people who live with these conditions every single day, and holding space for honest conversations about what actually matters in real life. This Friday (5 December) I am helping to host a free online session for people with Type 1 diabetes and those who love them. If you know someone with Type 1 who might be interested, please tag them or share this post. Everyone is welcome. Register using link in bio 💜 📸 1/2 CIRCLES Micah Lexier 2016, Bay Adelaide Centre East Tower, Toronto ON #Type1Diabetes #DiabetesCommunity #ResearchMatters #ChronicIllnessCommunity #livedexperience

Looking for a rainy-day thing to do? 🌧️ @scigallerymel ’s exhibition Distraction is on, and it’s such a prompt to think about where we spend our “attention spoons” in this busy digital world. I’ve been talking to my kids a lot about the purpose of boredom lately – the brain needs space to wander, to process, to daydream, to come up with the next idea. And for myself, I worry about what constant disruption is doing to our brains: the pings from messages and snaps, the endless scroll, that compulsive urge to pick up our devices again (and again, and again). Distraction is the perfect excuse to pause and get curious about what’s shaping our attention. You can also participate in an amazing art/science project if you make it to the artist in residence room at the back.

Last night I sat in a room full of Merri-bek neighbours, faith leaders, men, women, survivors and allies, imagining a future without gendered violence at the Voices for Change community forum. It was hosted by Merri-bek Council with leadership from Cr Abboud and Cr Ella Svensson. Our facilitator, Tathra – a local activist and humanist – created one of the safest spaces I’ve been in for a long time. She offered her own vulnerability, clear expectations and an invitation to shape an agreement together about how we talk, listen and disagree. As someone who once ran for local council here, these are the conversations that keep pulling me back into local politics, even from the sidelines: • Violence prevention that is embedded in our streets, our services, our faith communities and our homes • Men asking “What can I do?” and being offered clear, practical answers • Naming male privilege, “harmless” jokes and the decision to really listen and believe What really stayed with me was the reminder that prevention works best when it feels local and real: in everyday conversations, in street parties, in knowing your neighbour and noticing who is being left behind. This is not a “women’s issue”. It is a whole-of-community issue, and men have a critical role in changing the story – especially for those who feel most unsafe right now, including our trans community and other marginalised groups. We were invited into a guided visualisation of a future without gendered violence. I found myself thinking of our parks, our streets and our creek systems, full of life and connection. People who know each other’s names as well as their dogs. A community where young men have real spaces to connect and belong, rather than being pulled into the darkest corners of the internet. If you are looking for somewhere concrete to start: 🔹 20 Things Men Can Do – practical, everyday actions for respect and safety (a Merri-bek initiative) 🔹 Sisters 4 Sisters / WIRE Faith Leaders Guide – tools designed by and for communities of faith I left feeling tender & more determined to keep showing up. Always up for a chat about ideas for building a safer, kinder, more connected community. PM me.

Gently … for our healing journey together … Please meet one of the researchers who inspired Healing Nature installations part of ILLUMINATIONS of Women’s Prowess in Art, Science, Technology and Cultural Infusions @cuturigallery Our sincere apologies for the quality of the sound is not great - we hope you can hear it ok - we will create subtitle or transcription soon - we would like to propose #rainbowdreams #presentation #soon with proper microphones and recording environment 🙏 For now … this is our very kind and caring compassionate Dr Rainbow Emma. 🌈🩷 Dr Emma Burrows ( @dremmaburrows ) is a neuroscientist and science communicator with a PhD in how our environment shapes the brain. Her past research explored how enriched environments influence mood, memory, and motivation — mostly in mice. These days, she’s left the lab to help people connect with science in everyday life, from clinical trials to creative collaborations. Her mission: make science more human, hopeful, and accessible. Wheel was created in collaboration with Emma, who describes it as her first artistic experiment with humans. Together, we have toured Wheel across the globe, with more than 50,000 people running in it, spinning toward a collective dream of movement, health and hope. Our conversations are fuelled by science, friendship and a shared belief in the power of art to heal. Rainbow Dreams was presented at @luminatofestival June - the end of September 2025 📸 cover page Nature @cuturigallery Reel : Rainbow Dreams - How to cultivate healthy #brain presentation by neuroscientist @dremmaburrows @luminatofestival ✨🙏🌈

CANADA RAINBOW GARDEN continues till August 28 THANKYOU FOR HAVING US. @luminatofestival July 4- August 28, 2025 📸 @dahliakatz Stories behind the Dream Flowers . . . Dream Flowers and the healing power of nature  What do peonies, origami, peptides, and a 4th-century Chinese philosopher have in common? In Rainbow Garden, we explored the quiet beauty of transformation, from the delicate fall of a petal to the invisible power of cyclotides (unique circular peptides) in nature. Originally created for @brisbanefestival 2023 in collaboration with the brilliant scientists at @IMB_UQ , Dream Flower (YUKA 夢花) is inspired by Zhuang Zi’s Butterfly Dream, a gentle invitation to imagine what it means to change. Giant peonies bloom with stories: of compassion, of healing, and of science meeting art. A tribute to Professor David Craik’s research and to the artist Hiromi Tango’s grandmother’s peony garden in regional Japan, with generous support by origami artist Alex Yue @foldingwithyue who specialised in healing origami flower workshops for children, this work weaves together traditional wisdom and modern science — with gratitude in every petal. Scientific discovery is a great source of hope and optimism: there are so many amazing things happening, and so much hope for new cures for people, animals and the planet. With deep thanks to IMB’s, and the entire team and @brisbanefestival who helped grow this vision in 2023. Special thank you to Dream Flowers realisation and support @bayadelaidecentre @bfplto @luminatofestival @imbatuq @dremmaburrows @street_sweetly @bbjdotca Dream Flowers Fabrication by 16 Tonnes Original fabrication and fabrication methodology by @stainlessaesthetics Healing Origami Flowers workshop by @foldingwithyue Uniform by @bbjdotca Special thank you to #rainbowdreams #facilitators #artists #healthprofessionals #scientists #volunteers #security #cleaning #maintenance team #visitors #guests and #supporters #everyone involved #DreamFlower #RainbowGarden #IMB2023 #ArtAndScience #HealingThroughNature #HiromiTango #ButterflyDream #Cyclotides #BrisbaneFestival #TransformationArt #丹後博美 Hiromi Tango is represented by @cuturigallery

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US LAST DAY #rainbowcalm June 4 - July 25, 2025 World Premire CANADA @luminatofestival @bfplto 📸 Dahlia Katz @dahliakatz Thank you for everything . Love and deep gratitude 💙🩵💚🙏 About Rainbow Dreams From @luminatofestival website The Experience Amid the rush of the day, find a moment to pause, play, and reconnect. Three vibrant, site-specific environments—each infused with Hiromi Tango’s signature rainbow aesthetic—invite you to explore pathways toward well-being. These installations are designed to spark joy, movement, and reflection, reminding us that mental health is an active, creative practice.    Internationally acclaimed artist Hiromi Tango brings her transformative vision to Toronto for the first time in North America. Drawing from her extensive body of work, these environments feature designs uniquely inspired by Toronto’s striking glass towers and dynamic energy, offering spaces of color, playfulness, and mindfulness. In collaboration with neuroscientist Dr. Emma Burrows, Tango transforms the rainbow into more than just a symbol—it becomes a practice, nurturing the most valuable space we own: the one square foot between our ears.    MOVE with Rainbow Wheel at Brookfield Place: Step into Wheel, where movement becomes meditation. As your motion sets a spinning rainbow in motion, discover how physical activity can create moments of presence and clarity.    WONDER with Rainbow Garden at Bay Adelaide Centre: Immerse yourself in Garden, a whimsical landscape of oversized rainbow flowers and interactive elements. This gentle wonderland invites you to embrace playfulness as a source of joy and renewal.    PAUSE with Rainbow Calm at First Canadian Place: Experience Rainbow Calm, where Lake Ontario inspires a sanctuary for stillness. rest in soft seating pieces designed to inspire stillness and comfort, and for finding quiet moments to notice the beauty that surrounds us.    Throughout the festival, join special activations, guided meditations, creative workshops, and gentle movement sessions that offer new ways to engage with these nurturing spaces.    Join the Rainbow Dream and let your truest colours shine.

Last chance to 🌈 Dream with Hiromi Tango’s wonderful public art installation series in Toronto’s financial district! The dopamine-inducing 🌈 Wheel is open for just 2 more days (July 24,25) 10am-6pm, and we’ll be hanging in the adjacent 🌈Garden Friday afternoon to enjoy the colourful good vibes. Join us! #rainbowdreams #luminatofestival #torontopublicart #rainbowart #brainandbodyhealth

The Rainbow Wheel joined Rainbow Calm for 2 refreshing and chill weeks at First Canadian Place 🩵💙 Next & final stop, Bay Adelaide Center, east tower, Rainbow Garden! 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈#rainbowdreams #hiromitango #luminatofestival #publicarttoronto 🌈🌈

Did you see Four Corners on Monday? The rise of cancer in Gen X is no longer a warning. It’s happening. Two of my dearest friends have been affected by bowel cancer. That’s why I’ve signed up for Dry July to raise money for bowel cancer research. Today, your donations are doubled. 🔗 in bio. The video is here to grab your attention, but it’s health-related too. Last month, the art installation Wheel, which I co-created with artist @hiromitango , was exhibited at Toronto’s @luminatofestival . It’s a giant, rainbow structure that turns movement into joy. It flips the hamster wheel metaphor, instead of a grind, it becomes a gift. During my time as a neuroscientist, my research explored how exercise can protect the brain. Wheel explores how movement boosts mood, brain health, and resilience. Will be posting more on this art-science project soon….