Sonic Portal 

This study explores how spatial sonic experiences evoke memory, foster place attachment, and enhance social connection. Through a two-phase process, we first co-create community-generated (revise the term) sonic experiences through participatory workshops with current and former community members, using the MIT Media Lab community as a case study. These sonic materials, drawn from archival recordings, personal narratives, and collaborative sound selection, serve as the stimulus for a randomized controlled experiment. In the experimental phase, participants are exposed to one of two conditions (visual only, or visual with sounds) and subsequently assessed on measures of memory evocation, place attachment, and social connectedness. Quantitative data are collected through validated scales, while open-ended responses provide rich qualitative insights into how sensory cues trigger autobiographical memories and affective responses. Findings from this work aim to inform the design of sound-based interventions and participatory soundscape practices that reinforce communal identity, preserve collective memory, and strengthen social ties in institutional and public environments.