Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Dr Hannah Kirk is a Developmental Psychologist based at the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. She is currently appointed as a Senior Lecturer and leads the Developmental Risk and Digital Innovation (DRDI) Laboratory.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Newcastle University (UK) and a PhD in Psychological Sciences from Monash University (Australia). In 2018 she was awarded an NHMRC Peter Doherty Early Career Fellowship.
Her research program examines how digital technology can support cognitive, academic, behavioural and health outcomes in children and adolescents. In particular, Dr Kirk's research focuses on children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, Down syndrome and Williams syndrome.
She co-invented the world’s first digital attention intervention for children with neurodevelopmental disorders and has led two clinical trials evaluating the benefits of the intervention. The patented intervention is now an approved Class 1 Medical Device with the FDA and TGA, reimbursable through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and being used by children globally.
She was awarded the APS Thesis Award for Studies in the Psychology of Intellectual Disability and Autism (2016), the Dean's award for Excellence in Research (2018) and the BioMelbourne Emerging Leadership Award (2021).
Dr Kirk actively engages with the community as a science expert on radio and TV, at public talks, and in digital media. She was recently named one of ABC Radio National's Top 5 Scientists (2019).
Dr Kirk previously worked as an executive at a public listed medical technology company - Tali Digital. In the role of Chief Research Officer she led the research and development of digital health interventions.
Dr Kirk is passionate about research translation and uniting academia and industry to produce innovative evidence-based tools that have direct benefits for the community. She is a strong advocate for advancing gender equity in academia and industry, and promoting STEM careers for girls.
Current research projects:
- Alfi Virtual Reality: Improving inhibitory control in adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Pillar Project: Improving executive functions in primary school children across Victoria
- ATICA Project: Cognitive training in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
External positions
Chief Research Officer, Novita Healthcare Ltd
1 Feb 2016 → 1 Jan 2018
Research area keywords
- attention
- childhood
- developmental psychology
- developmental disorders
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- intellectual disability
- williams syndrome
- down syndrome
- cognitive training
- learning
Network
-
Adapting a Personalized Positive Parenting Digital Health Program for Youth Mental Health Promotion in Malaysia
Golden, K., Yap, M., Xie, J., Olivier, P., Wu, L., Shaikh, F., Kia Fatt, Q., Su, T. T., Phan, R., Dharmaratne, A. T., Kirk, H., Warren, N., Robinson, P., Ilias, K., Jamil, N. & Kamaralzaman, S.
4/01/21 → 30/12/22
Project: Research
-
Utilising digital training technology to support cognitive skill development and enhance learning in primary school children
Kirk, H., Cornish, K., Bellgrove, M., Spencer-Smith, M., Jobson, L. & Adams, K.
Monash University – Internal Faculty Contribution, Monash University – Internal Department Contribution
3/02/20 → 28/10/22
Project: Research
-
Data-driven diagnoses and treatments for neurodevelopmental disorders.
Bellgrove, M., Johnson, B., Cornish, K., Kirk, H., Williams, K. & Hawi, Z.
Department of Health (Australia)
20/01/20 → 30/06/24
Project: Research
-
Understanding ADHD in Indigenous Australian children using the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC).
Bellgrove, M., Stefanac, N., Tiego, J., Jobson, L., Kirk, H., Spencer-Smith, M., Adams, K., Cornish, K., Coghill, D., Middeldorp, C. M. & Sciberras, E.
Australian ADHD Professionals Association
7/02/20 → 31/12/21
Project: Research
-
Examining potential predictors of attention training outcomes in children with intellectual and developmental disorders
Kirk, H. E., Raber, A., Richmond, S. & Cornish, K. M., 3 Jul 2021, In: Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability. 46, 3, p. 197-203 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
1 Citation (Scopus) -
Gamified Attention Training in the Primary School Classroom: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial
Kirk, H. E., Spencer-Smith, M., Wiley, J. F. & Cornish, K. M., Jun 2021, In: Journal of Attention Disorders. 25, 8, p. 1146-1159 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
4 Citations (Scopus) -
Are we really in an attention crisis, or are digital technologies getting a bad rap?
Kirk, H., 19 Aug 2019, ABC.Research output: Other contribution › Other
Open Access -
Training attention in children with acquired brain injury: A study protocol of a randomised controlled trial of the TALI attention training programme
Mckay, E., Richmond, S., Kirk, H., Anderson, V., Catroppa, C. & Cornish, K., Dec 2019, In: BMJ Open. 9, 12, 12 p., e032619.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Other › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus) -
Research Check: are phone-obsessed teens at greater risk of ADHD?
Kirk, H., 20 Jul 2018, The Conversation.Research output: Other contribution › Other
Open Access
Prizes
-
ABC Top 5 Science Scholar
Kirk, Hannah (Recipient), 15 Jul 2019
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
-
Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society (ACNS) Conference Award: Best Postdoc Presentation
Kirk, Hannah (Recipient), 2018
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
-
Business and Higher Education Round Table Award
Kirk, Hannah (Recipient), 2016
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
-
Deans Award for Research Excellence – Research Enterprise
Kirk, Hannah (Recipient), 2018
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
-
Emerging Leadership Award | BioMelbourne Network Women in Leadership Awards
Kirk, Hannah (Recipient), 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
-
Lecturer: Mental Health in the Community (PMH1011)
Hannah Kirk (Speaker)
2020 → …Activity: Other Teaching Engagements and non-HDR Supervisions › Online content/ delivery
-
Lecturer: Atypical Development (PSY4130) – Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Hannah Kirk (Speaker)
Aug 2019Activity: Other Teaching Engagements and non-HDR Supervisions › Other
-
Presentation at My Special Child Expo in Geelong
Hannah Kirk (Performer)
23 Mar 2019Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Public event
-
Lecturer: Abnormal Psychology (PSY3032) – Childhood Disorder
Hannah Kirk (Speaker)
Aug 2019Activity: Other Teaching Engagements and non-HDR Supervisions › Other
-
Lecturer: Atypical Development (PSY4130) – Developmental Delay & Intellectual Disability
Hannah Kirk (Speaker)
Jul 2018Activity: Other Teaching Engagements and non-HDR Supervisions › Other
Press / Media
-
Featured researcher in the Visions of Tomorrow exhibit (Seven Siblings From the Future) for the Museum of Discovery at the University of South Australia
1/11/19
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Review
-
Produced Radio Program and Podcast: ABC All in the Mind (Your attention, please!)
25/08/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Article/Feature
-
Radio Interview (ABC Melbourne) - Are our attention spans getting worse?
20/08/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Profile/Interview
-
Radio Interview (6PR WA) Is our attention span getting shorter?
19/08/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Profile/Interview
-
Produced online Article (ABC News): Are you paying attention?
18/08/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Article/Feature