EmoScienS
EmoScienS : Managing emotions to foster psychological well-being
EmoScienS is an interdisciplinary initiative at the intersection of psychology, artificial intelligence, and mental health sciences. This project aims to provide ethical technological tools to better understand, measure, and regulate human emotions in a variety of contexts—from the workplace to education and clinical settings.
Developed under the direction of Professor Pierrich Plusquellec (University of Montreal), a specialist in nonverbal communication, stress, and affective computing, EmoScienS is part of an effort to promote applied research and the transfer of scientific knowledge to society.
Responsible researcher Pierrich Plusquellec
Responsible Emotional AI
EmoScienS uses facial analysis algorithms to detect emotional expressions in real time. Through automated and discreet data collection, users gain insight into their own emotional state and receive tailored scientific resources to better manage their internal states. The goal: to prevent emotional distress, reduce chronic stress, and foster an organizational culture of well-being.
The project is underpinned by a rigorous and transparent approach: data is anonymized, confidentiality is ensured, and interpretation remains entirely in the user’s hands. EmoScienS actively collaborates with researchers in ethics, psychology, and artificial intelligence to ensure ethical development by design.
A Strong Scientific Foundation
The research that led to the creation of EmoScienS has resulted in several scientific publications :
- Plusquellec et al. (2023) – Facial Reactivity to Emotional Stimuli and Psychological Well-being in Social Work Students – Psychological Reports
- Lirio, Plusquellec & Gril (2023) – L’IA émotionnelle révolutionnera-t-elle le monde du travail ? – Revue Gestion
- Lirio & Plusquellec (2023) – Affective computing for an emotionally healthy workplace – Strategic HR Review
- Fujiwara & Plusquellec (2024) – Intensity and Dominance of CEOs’ Smiles and Corporate Performance – Scientific Reports
These publications underscore EmoScienS’s transdisciplinary approach, which bridges clinical, technological, and organizational challenges.
A project supported by an innovation ecosystem
The development of EmoScienS was made possible thanks to the support of several institutional and financial partners committed to promoting responsible innovation in mental health and artificial intelligence. The project notably received support from the Quebec Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy (MEIE), as well as the University of Montreal, through partnership funds and internal grants. EmoScienS has also been supported by social innovation incubators such as L’Esplanade (Impact8 and Ébullition programs) and has received backing from Quebec’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, notably through Centech. This diverse funding reflects recognition of EmoScienS’s potential impact in research, public health, and organizational settings.