Hannah Kirk

Dr Hannah Kirk is a Developmental Neuroscientist and NHMRC Early Career Research Fellow in the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, at Monash University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Newcastle University (UK) and a PhD in Psychological Sciences from Monash University (Australia). 

Her research focuses on understanding the development of cognitive, behavioural and academic skills in childhood, and crucially how this knowledge can be translated in to tangible support tools for families, educators and healthcare professionals. In particularly, Dr Kirk's research focuses on children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, Down syndrome and Williams syndrome.

She was awarded the APS Thesis Award for Studies in the Psychology of Intellectual Disability and Autism (2016) and is the inventor of a novel attention training program (Tali Train). This program is now being used by children and schools around the world.  

Dr Kirk's research has received extensive coverage on mainstream media and she gives regular interviews on radio. She was recently named one of ABC Radio National's Top 5 Scientists (2019). 

Dr Kirk has previously worked as an executive at a public listed medical technology company - Novita Healthcare. In the role of Chief Research Officer she led the research, development and commercialisation of the Tali Train program. Her strong connections with industry allow Dr Kirk to translate her research in to tangible outcomes for children and families impacted by neurodevelopmental disorders.