Psychology research

Advancing knowledge of the brain and human behaviour

Psychology research

Advancing knowledge of the brain and human behaviour

We provide a supportive and stimulating environment to help our academic staff excel in research. In the past five years, we have received 21 fellowships for our academic staff at a total value of over $21 million.

We are committed to supporting research-focussed staff and translating EMCR fellowships into continuing positions. This is facilitated by our general departmental initiatives that guide and support all staff through:

a three-tiered approach to grant review and preparation
internal grant initiatives for research and travel
collaborative infrastructure within and across our field subdisciplines that serve our common thematic goals to gain knowledge and improve health and wellbeing.

Find a researcher

Connect with an expert in psychology

Research themes

Improving mental health and wellbeing across the lifespan

Research in this theme aims to enhance mental health and wellbeing from childhood through to old age. It focuses on exploring psychological and neurobiological development, understanding the various challenges people face at different life stages, and developing evidence-based interventions to support mental health and wellbeing.

By understanding the unique needs, stressors, and opportunities at each stage of life, this research seeks to create effective interventions that promote long-term psychological wellbeing and improve quality of life for individuals across the lifespan.

Research areas

Key researchers: David Hawes (subdiscipline lead), Caroline Hunt, Maree Abbott, Mark Dadds, Shannon Webb, Trinh Ha

This theme focuses on clinical and developmental aspects of child and youth mental health, with research enhancing understanding of common emotional, behavioural, and neurodevelopmental problems, and improving evidence-based practice with children and their caregivers.

This includes novel approaches to conceptualisation and measurement/assessment, the study of risk mechanisms and resilience beginning in the perinatal period, prevention and intervention, translational research, implementation science and child mental health literacy.

Key stakeholders in child and youth mental health (e.g., practitioners; policy makers; those with lived experience) are partners in this work.

Research groups

Key researchers: Maree Abbott (subdiscipline lead), Alice Norton, Caroline Hunt, Elizabeth Seeley, Fiona White, Ilan Dar-Nimrod, Jemma Todd, Louise Sharpe, Oliver Lester, Paul Rhodes, Rachel Menzies, Sally Gainsbury, Shannon Webb, Tanja Hirvonen, Trinh Ha

Research in this stream focuses on adult and older adult mental health and wellbeing that aims to improve our understanding and treatment of cognitive, affective, attentional, relational and behavioural aspects of common mental health presentations, including their prevention. Translational research in this stream promotes access to inclusive, best-practice, evidence-based psychological assessment and intervention.

Areas of focus include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, chronic health conditions, adjustment to illness, problem gambling, application of the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Model to promote wellbeing for Indigenous peoples, reducing bias and promoting inclusivity, and responding to climate change distress.

The research group uses qualitative and quantitative designs and develops collaborative partnerships and co-design with lived experience partners, policy makers and other key stakeholders.

Research groups

Key researchers: Sean O’Connor (subdiscipline lead), Gordon Spence, Michael Cavanagh

Coaching psychology is an applied subdiscipline within psychology. It explores the theory and practice of behaviour change, goal attainment and adult developmental understandings of work, life and well-being.

It draws from a broad range of knowledge bases both within and outside psychology. These include Organisational and Counselling Psychology, Health, leadership and well-being science. It builds on insights found in cognitive and social psychology, motivation, goal theory and systems science.

Our graduates undertake work in organisations and private practice, assisting individual, teams and leadership groups to effect positive change in their lives and organisations.

Research groups

Coaching Psychology Unit

Key researchers: Micah Goldwater (subdiscipline lead), Caroline Moul, David Hawes, Mark Dadds

The developmental psychology research area specialises in understanding learning, behavior, and cognition from birth to adulthood. We both investigate neurotypical and neurodiverse developmental trajectories integrating experimental, longitudinal, and applied methods, conducting research in the lab, clinic, and classroom. The team aims to advance scientific knowledge and design interventions that promote optimal development and well-being.

Research groups

Key researchers: Carolyn MacCann (subdiscipline lead), Alissa Beath, Damian Birney, Elizabeth Seeley, Kit Double, Lisa Kim, Micah Goldwater, Sabina Kleitman, Tanja Hirvonen

Our Educational Psychology subdiscipline explores how cognitive, emotional, and social factors influence learning and development.

Our researchers examine cultural factors, personal qualities (cognitive abilities, emotional intelligence, personality traits, and other socio-emotional characteristics) and processes (meta-cognition, learning strategies, coping, cognitive processes) in education.

Our research aims to discover how these factors affect student learning, achievement, and wellbeing, as well as the effectiveness and wellbeing of educators. Together, our work advances understanding of how people learn, adapt, and thrive across diverse contexts, shaping evidence-based educational practices and policies.

Research groups

Key researchers: Haryana Dhillon (subdiscipline lead), Alissa Beath, Ben Colagiuri, Daniel Costa, Ilona Juraskova, Jasmine Fardouly, Jemma Todd, Joanne Shaw, Louise Sharpe, Rebecca Pinkus, Rebekah Laidsaar-Powell, Sabina Kleitman

Our global aim in health psychology is to support individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan to live full and healthy lives. Our work encompasses novel, theoretically-based approaches to how people make decisions about their health, responses to a disease diagnosis, treatments, and recovery.

Prevention of illness and maximising well being are important pillars of our research spanning social and societal influences on health issues including body image, illness stigma, symptom interpretation, and informal care support. Our strengths in pain, cancer and psycho-oncology, cardiovascular disease, eating disorders, placebo/nocebo effects, and mental health contribute to improving health across the lifespan.

Research groups

Key researchers: Sharon Naismith (subdiscipline lead), Fiona Kumfor, Olivier Piguet, Muireann Irish

The neuropsychology theme specialises in understanding how cognitive dysfunction relates to underlying changes in brain structure and function, spanning healthy individuals and those with neurological or neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, and frontotemporal dementia.

The team brings clinical expertise in the assessment of individuals across a range of neurodegenerative, mental health, sleep-wake and neurological conditions and combines gold-standard neuropsychological approaches and innovative tests with neuroimaging, biofluid and other biomarkers, to gain a holistic appreciation of the complex interplay between brain, body and behaviour.

The team also brings expertise in developing new tools for clinical assessment and innovations in the efficiency of neuropsychological assessment, scoring and feedback. They have skills in clinical trials including in the design, testing and translation of new interventions that aim to improve cognition and brain health. The neuropsychology theme offers a unique mix of clinical, training and research opportunities underpinned by the Healthy Brain Ageing Clinic, FRONTIER Clinic and Sydney Neuropsychology Clinic.

Research groups

Key researchers: Michael Bowen (subdiscipline lead), Iain McGregor, Ian Johnston, Melissa Sharpe, Morgan James, Nick Everett

Neuropsychopharmacology explores how drugs and the brain's natural chemical signalling systems impact the brain, behaviour, and mental health. Integrating psychology, neuroscience, and pharmacology, investigating how neurochemicals, substances of abuse, and existing and potential therapeutic compounds impact brain function and cognitive, emotional, and behavioural processes. This research aims to deepen our understanding of the brain's chemical systems and advance treatments for disorders of the brain and mind.

Research groups

Uncovering how the brain shapes our perceptions, thoughts, and behaviour

Research in this theme seeks to uncover the complexities of the brain and how it produces perception, thoughts, decisions, and actions. It spans basic experimental psychology through to neuroscience to identify the underlying psychological mechanisms that drive our thoughts, emotions, and actions.

By understanding how the brain processes information and shapes behaviour, research in this theme reveals how we perceive and respond to the world arounds us, such as how we make decisions, and how differences in theses process – whether biological or learned – contribute to psychological disorders.

Research areas

Key researchers: Melissa Sharpe (subdiscipline lead), Ian Johnston, Justin Harris, Kelsey Zimmerman, Michael Bowen, Morgan James, Nick Everett

Behavioural neuroscience seeks to reveal the physiological mechanisms that underlie the way we learn, and ultimately behave. To do this, we use a range of behavioural tasks that model particular cognitive processes in tandem with a modern suite of neuroscience techniques, including optogenetics, fiber photometry of genetically-encoded activity sensors, chemogenetics, and advanced microscopy.

Together, this allows us to develop integrated theories of how the brain works from psychological and physiological perspectives. This work is important because it helps us understand how innate or learned changes in the brain produce psychopathology.

Research groups

Key researchers: Evan Livesey (subdiscipline lead), Bruce Burns, Caleb Owens, Celine van Golde, Damian Birney, Daniel Pearson, Dominic Tran, Helen Paterson, Ian Johnston, Irina Harris, Jemma Todd, Jessica Lee, Kelsey Zimmerman, Kit Double, Louise Sharpe, Melissa Sharpe, Micah Goldwater, Reuben Rideaux, Sabina Kleitman

Researchers in the Cognition subdiscipline are interested in the cognitive processes behind a wide variety of psychological functions including attention, metacognition, decision making, and intelligence.

Our goals are to understand these processes, including commonalities and differences across individuals, and how they influence key aspects of modern life such as the experience of pain and other health outcomes, coping with addiction, eyewitness testimony, and learning in the classroom.

Grounded in fundamental science, our research informs solutions to societal problems related to health, psychopathology, forensic psychology and education.

Research groups

Key researchers: Justin Harris (subdiscipline lead), Ben Colagiuri, Caroline Moul, Daniel Pearson, Dominic Tran, Evan Livesey, Ian Johnston, Jessica Lee, Kelsey Zimmerman, Melissa Sharpe

Our Learning subdiscipline seeks to reveal the principles of how we process information to form representations of how our world works. Often, this involves the development or evaluation of mathematical models that capture the fundamental principles of learning, which can be validated through empirical research.

In doing so, we elucidate the specific ways that people develop models of their environment to understand how this influences their expectations and, ultimately, their behaviour. Revealing the fundamental principles that govern how an individual learns allows us to identify how this is changed in psychopathology, which provides insight into how to treat psychological disorders through a cognitive lens.

Research groups

Key researchers: Muireann Irish (subdiscipline lead), Irina Harris, Reuben Rideaux, Tom Carlson

The School of Psychology's cognitive neuroscience subdiscipline explores the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive processes and behaviour, in healthy and clinical populations. Integrating multimodal neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and computational approaches, our research investigates areas such as memory, attention, perception, decision-making, and language.

The subdiscipline emphasises translational approaches to understand and address neuropsychological, neurological and psychiatric conditions, bridging basic science with real-world applications.

Research groups

Key researchers: Sabina Kleitman (subdiscipline lead), Bruce Burns, Celine van Golde, Helen Paterson, Ilona Juraskova, Micah Goldwater

The cognitive decision-making subdiscipline drives research into how people think, evaluate, and choose in real-world scenarios. We explore the processes behind judgment, choices, problem-solving and self-monitoring, focusing on improving decision quality, including under uncertainty, risk, and stress.

Our work spans high-stakes contexts, including performance, forensic investigations, medical diagnostics, cybersecurity, and organisational strategy. Using theoretical and applied multi-disciplinary approaches, we research innovative insights and practical solutions, from optimising decision-making tools and technologies, including AI to enhancing training systems for critical roles.

Our work advances our understanding of adaptive and reflective thinking and collaborations to help develop more competent and adaptive decision-makers.

Research groups

Key researchers: Helen Paterson (subdiscipline lead), Celine van Golde

We investigate best practices to collect reliable and credible testimony from witnesses while safeguarding their psychological wellbeing.

By better understanding factors influencing eyewitness reliability, we aim to provide practical solutions for legal professionals. Ultimately, our work seeks to bridge psychological science and legal practice, contributing to fairer legal outcomes and more effective support for individuals impacted by crime.

Research groups

Forensic Psychology Lab

Key researchers: Michael Bowen (subdiscipline lead), Iain McGregor, Ian Johnston, Melissa Sharpe, Morgan James, Nick Everett

Neuropsychopharmacology explores how drugs and the brain's natural chemical signalling systems impact the brain, behaviour, and mental health.

Integrating psychology, neuroscience, and pharmacology, investigating how neurochemicals, substances of abuse, and existing and potential therapeutic compounds impact brain function, and cognitive, emotional, and behavioural processes.

This research aims to deepen our understanding of the brain's chemical systems and advance treatments for disorders of the brain and mind.

Research groups

Key researchers: David Alais (subdiscipline lead), Alex Holcombe, Bart Anderson, Daniel Pearson, Frans Verstraten, Irina Harris, Reuben Rideaux, Tom Carlson

Our work examines how we come to know our world and act upon it. We study the sensing of the surrounding environment through vision, touch and hearing, the sorting and prioritising of sensory information, and how it guides decision-making and action.

The group employs complementary methods to understand perception and attention including behavioural, neuroimaging, electrophysiology and computational approaches.

The goal is a deeper understanding of the processing arc from sensing, processing and acting on the world. Insights from this work can be applied to optimise perception and attention in normal and clinical populations and in a variety of practical applications.

Research groups

Key researchers: Olivier Piguet (subdiscipline lead), Eilane Deschrijver, Fiona Kumfor, Muireann Irish

The social neuroscience subdiscipline examines the variables that shape the way we interact with each other. We are interested in understanding how external (e.g., life events, social and political structures, size of social groups) and internal (developmental periods, changes in brain integrity) variables modulate individual or group social interactions. We are also interested in understanding the brain processes that underpin these social interactions by using various neuroimaging techniques (e.g., EEG, MRI).

Research groups

Understanding personal, social, and cultural drivers of behaviour

Research in this theme explores the intricate interplay of personal, social, and cultural factors that shape human behaviour. It focuses on understanding how individual differences (such as ‘personality’), social interactions, and cultural contexts influence actions and attitudes to provide a comprehensive understanding of human behaviour.

By understanding the interactions between personal, social, and cultural determinants of behaviour, research in this theme aims to uncover the full range of factors that influence human behaviour and to appropriately situate and apply psychological research and practice in the diverse world in which we live.

Research areas

Key researchers: Sean O’Connor (subdiscipline lead), Gordon Spence, Michael Cavanagh

It draws of a broad range of knowledge bases both within and outside psychology. These include organisational and counselling psychology, health, leadership and well-being science. It builds on insights found in cognitive and social psychology, motivation, goal theory and systems science.

Our graduates undertake work in organisations and private practice, assisting individual, teams and leadership groups to effect positive change in their lives and organisations.

Research groups

Coaching Psychology Unit

Key researchers: Paul Rhodes (subdiscipline lead), Caroline Hunt, Oliver Lester, Elizabeth Seeley, Shannon Webb, Tanja Hirvonen, Trinh Ha

The main priority of our research in cultural psychology is to embed Indigenous Psychology perspectives, including initiatives focused on improving Social and Emotional Wellbeing for

individuals, families and communities. This will be achieved through community-led participatory action research led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander academics. In addition, we will prioritise research that focuses on cultural safety, working with CALD and refugee populations, affirmative cultures in Deaf and disabled communities, neurodiversity and lived experience. Finally, we will research psychological theory and practice related to the wider field of cultural psychology, including semiotics, borders, affective atmospheres, ecological niches, post-human cultures and others.

Research groups

Clinical Psychology Unit

Key researchers: Micah Goldwater (subdiscipline lead), Caroline Moul, David Hawes, Mark Dadds

Research groups

Key researchers: Carolyn MacCann (subdiscipline lead), Alissa Beath, Damian Birney, Elizabeth Seeley, Kit Double, Lisa Kim, Micah Goldwater, Sabina Kleitman, Tanja Hirvonen

Our Educational Psychology subdiscipline explores how cognitive, emotional, and social factors influence learning and development.

Research groups

Key researchers: Helen Paterson (subdiscipline lead), Celine van Golde

Our research applies cognitive, social, and clinical psychology to legal settings to enhance the justice system and support those affected by crime, including witnesses, victims, and the wrongfully accused. Our research predominantly focuses on improving eyewitness accounts, jury decision-making, and lie detection. We investigate best practices to collect reliable and credible testimony from witnesses while safeguarding their psychological wellbeing.

Research groups

Forensic Psychology Lab

Research groups

Key researchers: Damian Birney (subdiscipline lead), Alissa Beath, Carolyn MacCann, Ilan Dar-Nimrod, Kit Double, Lisa Kim, Sabina Kleitman

The individual differences subdiscipline examines how and why people differ from one another across various dimensions including intelligence, personality, behaviour, emotion, and cognition, and human factors broadly defined. Our research spans both theoretical and empirical approaches, investigating the structure, development, and processes that create these differences.

We study variations within educational, developmental, clinical, organisational, and broader psychological, sociological, and cultural contexts, often incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives from fields like business, data/decision science, and neuroscience.

The focus extends to both practical applications and fundamental understanding, encompassing assessment methods, measurement techniques, and the implications of individual differences for human development, occupational and cultural experiences, and learning outcomes in different contexts.

Research groups

Key researchers: Rebecca Pinkus (subdiscipline lead), Carolyn MacCann, Celine van Golde, Eliane Deschrijver, Fiona White, Helen Paterson, Ilan Dar-Nimrod, Jasmine Fardouly, Kit Double, Sally Gainsbury, Tanja Hirvonen

Our researchers explore how people understand, navigate, and regulate themselves and their social environments. We study topics including race, gender, sexuality, appearance, and social identity, and how people interact and maintain relationships with individuals and groups, both in the physical world and online.

In addition to resolving basic scientific questions, our research addresses real-world issues such as reducing prejudice, discrimination, conflict, and violence, as well as decision-making, lie detection, and risky behaviours.

By understanding the interaction between personal and social factors, we aim to improve wellbeing and inform policies that benefit communities. Our work is dedicated to solving problems and making a positive impact on society.

Research groups

Research highlights

Healthy ageing

Our NHMRC Synergy Grant “Synergise, Integrate and Enhance Sleep Research to Transform Brain Ageing (SIESTA)” will revolutionise healthy ageing, led by Professor Sharon Naismith (2023-2027; $5M).

Child and youth mental health

Our “Growing Minds” MRFF from the NHMRC is Australia’s first Clinical Trials Network in Child and Youth Mental Health and will transform mental health services for these groups, led by Professor Mark Dadds.

Drugs for psychiatric disorders

With Kinoxis Therapeutics and Boehringer-Ingelheim, we’re driving breakthroughs in treating addiction and social challenges in brain and mind disorders, led by Professor Michael Bowen ($10.4M since 2018).

Useful links

Psychology research

Find a researcher

Research themes

Improving mental health and wellbeing across the lifespan

Research areas

Child and adolescent mental health

Adult mental health

Coaching psychology

Developmental psychology

Educational psychology

Health psychology

Neuropsychology

Neuropsychopharmacology

Uncovering how the brain shapes our perceptions, thoughts, and behaviour

Research areas

Behavioural neuroscience

Cognition

Learning

Cognitive neuroscience

Decision-making

Forensic psychology

Meta-science and research methods

Neuropsychopharmacology

Perception and attention

Social neuroscience

Understanding personal, social, and cultural drivers of behaviour

Research areas

Coaching psychology

Cultural psychology

Developmental psychology

Educational psychology

Forensic psychology

Health psychology

Individual differences

Social psychology

Research highlights

Healthy ageing

Child and youth mental health

Drugs for psychiatric disorders

Useful links