ASMR and Multimodal Integration for Teaching and Learning in Creative Media

Teaching Development Grant, Talent and Education Development Office (TED), CityUHK, #6000950

  • PerMagnus Lindborg, PI
  • 1 May 2026 — 1 September 2027

Keywords: ASMR, multimodal integration, creative media, media culture, sound art

Abstract

This project investigates the creative and pedagogical potential of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) as a digitally native audiovisual genre, with particular focus on multimodal integration within creative media curricula in higher education. ASMR, characterised as a relaxing, tingling sensation felt in response to audiovisual stimuli, originated in Internet-based art communities less than two decades ago and was formally named in 2010. Once regarded as folk psychology, ASMR has since gained scientific legitimacy through empirical research confirming its physiological and affective effects, including demonstrable therapeutic benefits.

As both a psychophysiological and media phenomenon, ASMR exerts significant cultural influence, evidenced by its status as one of the most searched terms on YouTube: it generates 24 million monthly searches and has inspired over 500,000 channels producing more than 25 million videos worldwide. The genre encompasses a spectrum of online content curated by ‘ASMRtists’ for Internet-native audiences, with broader implications spanning mediated intimacy, Internet culture, and feminist art practices. Expressions range from personalised theatre and performance art to advertisement, often employing immersive sound art techniques. These practices reflect wider trends in social media and digital culture, resonating strongly with young people seeking entertainment, relaxation, or improved sleep.

The project is centred on three undergraduate courses at City University of Hong Kong’s School of Creative Media: SM2722 Sound Objects, SM2712 Perception, Cognition, Art, and Design, and GE1128 Music for Film. ASMR modules in these courses have demonstrated high student engagement, through activities including the design of ASMR, sound performance, and multimedia analysis.

The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining theoretical investigation, creative practice, and advanced technology integration. The methodology features systematic analysis of a large corpus of ASMR videos and metadata using multimodal BERTopic modelling and classroom experimentation with binaural audio technologies and generative AI. Intended Learning Outcomes include exploring connections between ASMR and creative media (sound art, Foley, multisensory design), empirically categorising ASMR content, innovating teaching activities leveraging genAI and foundational models (such as text-to-sound), and harmonising course-level objectives and syllabi for student progression. The project will culminate in scholarly publications, revised curricula, and an ASMR Exhibition and Symposium to foster media literacy and creative engagement across the university.

These outcomes will positively impact student learning by:

  • Establishing clear and coherent syllabi for the three targeted classes, enabling students to better understand their interrelationships and plan studies effectively;
  • Enhancing the analysis and categorisation of ASMR clips with machine learning, for a broader and more granular understanding of current expressions and future potential;
  • Stimulating critical engagement, conceptual understanding, and practical skills related to ASMR and the creative media fields of sound art, audiovisual production, and multimodal design.

Pedagogically, the project positions education as intentional communication and collaborative inquiry, foregrounding formative assessment, emotional engagement, and creative autonomy. ‘Serious fun’ in learning is emphasised, integrating ASMR’s unique sensory and cultural experiences into contemporary art, design, and media practice. By critically engaging with ASMR, students develop transferable skills and media literacies essential for future careers in digital culture and the creative industries.