Research Areas: Stigma & health; Health and social policy; Hazardous drinking & associated harms (violence, antisocial behaviour); Psychosocial aspects of Obesity; Alcohol and gambling advertising & sponsorship; Health psychology; Social exclusion; Eating behaviour and Body Image; Addiction; Research Methodologies and Psychometrics. Psychosocial factors in Endometriosis and PCOS.
I am Director of the Behavioural Sciences Research Lab, and Assoc Dean Research. I joined the School of Social Sciences at Monash in December 2010 where I conduct research and teach a range of topics related to health and social behaviour, and health and social policy. Prior to this I was at the University of Manchester for three years where I helped establish the Masters in Clinical and Health Psychology, and taught courses and conducted research on the social determinants of health, social and health policy, and health and social psychology. From 2006-2008 I was at the University of Wollongong.
I received training in psychology and public health, completing an honours degree in psychology/neuroscience, and PhD in applied cognitive psychology. I have since broadened my research interests into a range of mental and physical health related topics, and social harms broadly, including the the potential antecedents and mediators. I am particularly interested in developing and testing new research methodologies and measures, including psychometric testing of new measures, and application research designs and program evaluations in complex real-world settings.
Since arriving at Monash, I have been lead chief investigator of co-lead chief investigator on over $4.5 million in competitive research grants. This includes two ARC grants, two NHMRC grants, and 12 competitive research grants totalling.
I am a lead member (representing the Faculty of Arts) on the $110 million Digital Health CRC (Co-operative Research Center).
Courses designed, coordinated, and taught (undergraduate and postgraduate).
social and health policy, stigma and health, research methods in social sciences, public health, health promotion, applied social psychology, social identity, health psychology.
I have substantial experience in managing HDR students, and have supervised over 35 research students (PhD, Masters, and Honours), and currently supervise 3 PhD students and 2 honours students.
PhD Research Opportunities
I am looking for suitable PhD (and Masters) candidates interested in any of the below broad topic areas:
- The impact of weight stigma on psychological well-being, eating behaviour, and participation physical activity and sport.
- The influence of alcohol, gambling, and fast food advertising and sponsorship on young people.
- Other topics related to prejudice, discrimination, body image and disordered eating, psychological and physical health.
- Evidence based health and social policy making.
- Psychosocial factors in Endometriosis and PCOS and associated wellbeing and mental health.