Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Dr Hannah Kirk is a Senior Lecturer in Developmental Psychology based at the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. 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.
She leads the Developmental Risk and Digital Innovation (DRDI) Laboratory which aims to assess if and how digital technology (e.g. cognitive interventions) can support young children at developmental risk. She is interested in the creation of digital technology to optimise cognition and behavioural-regulation in children experiencing early adversity due to genetic, environmental, social or economic factors. In particular, Dr Kirk's research focuses on neurodiverse populations such as children with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and Williams syndrome. Her novel approach involves the development of custom-designed digital programs that incorporate the latest technological advancements in virtual reality and game-based learning.
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
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Data-driven diagnoses and treatments for neurodevelopmental disorders.
Bellgrove, M., Johnson, B., Cornish, K., Kirk, H., Williams, K. & Hawi, Z.
Department of Health and Aged Care (Australia)
20/01/20 → 30/06/24
Project: Research
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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., Kirk, H., Warren, N., Robinson, P., Ilias, K., Jamil, N. & Kamaralzaman, S.
4/01/21 → 30/12/22
Project: Research
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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. R., Middeldorp, C. M. & Sciberras, E.
Australian ADHD Professionals Association
7/02/20 → 31/12/21
Project: Research
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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 → 28/02/23
Project: Research
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Digital cognitive training in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a study protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Richmond, S., Kirk, H., Gaunson, T., Bennett, M., Bellgrove, M. A. & Cornish, K., 16 Jun 2022, In: BMJ Open. 12, 6, 12 p., e055385.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Other › peer-review
Open Access1 Citation (Scopus) -
Impairments in Emotion Recognition and Positive Emotion Regulation Predict Social Difficulties in Adolescent With ADHD
McKay, E., Cornish, K. & Kirk, H., 2022, (Accepted/In press) In: Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
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Social difficulties in adolescent attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Social motivation, social anxiety and symptom severity as contributing factors
McKay, E., Kirk, H., Martin, R. & Cornish, K., 22 Nov 2022, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of Clinical Psychology. 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
The Role of Age, Cognitive Ability, and ADHD Symptoms on Outcomes of Attention Training in Primary School Children
Kirk, H. E., Richmond, S., Cornish, K. & Spencer-Smith, M., Jun 2022, In: Journal of Cognitive Enhancement. 6, 2, p. 170-182 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
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Training inhibitory control in adolescents with elevated attention deficit hyperactivity disorder traits: a randomised controlled trial of the Alfi Virtual Reality programme
Mckay, E., Kirk, H. E., Coxon, J., Courtney, D., Bellgrove, M., Arnatkeviciute, A. & Cornish, K., 20 Sep 2022, In: BMJ Open. 12, 9, p. e061626 10 p., e061626.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access
Prizes
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ABC Top 5 Science Scholar
Kirk, Hannah (Recipient), 15 Jul 2019
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Advancing Women’s Research Success Grant
Kirk, Hannah (Recipient), 2022
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society (ACNS) Conference Award: Best Postdoc Presentation
Kirk, Hannah (Recipient), 2018
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Best Annual ECR Paper Award | Neurodevelopment Theme
Kirk, Hannah (Recipient), 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Business and Higher Education Round Table Award
Kirk, Hannah (Recipient), 2016
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Australian Paediatric Research Network (APRN) Conference
Hannah Kirk (Organiser)
2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
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Honours Supervision | 3 Students
Hannah Kirk (Speaker)
2023Activity: Other Teaching Engagements and non-HDR Supervisions › Non-HDR Supervisions
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Frontiers in Psychology (Journal)
Hannah Kirk (Guest editor)
2023 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial responsibility
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Honours Supervision | 4 Students
Hannah Kirk (Speaker)
2022Activity: Other Teaching Engagements and non-HDR Supervisions › Non-HDR Supervisions
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Mentor | PsychSec Mentoring Program
Hannah Kirk (Speaker)
2022 → …Activity: Other Teaching Engagements and non-HDR Supervisions › Mentor/ Internship supervision
Press/Media
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Video interview | Channel Ten: The Project
18/11/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Profile/Interview
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Monash: A Different Lens “The State of Our Mental Health”
20/01/20
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Profile/Interview
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Radio Interview | ABC: This Working Life Radio Show & Podcast
15/11/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Profile/Interview
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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