91Ö±²¥

Supervisor(s)

; Supervisor 2 to be determined

Field of Research

4409 (440902, 440999), 4407 (440705, 440712), 4405 (440507, 440508)

Despite significant research linking CSA histories to later life challenges, the parenting experiences of survivor mothers remain critically understudied. Existing service systems often treat these women as high risk rather than recognising their resilience and insight. The key aims for the project would be to understand how adult women survivors of CSA make sense of their parenting identity and practices; explore how trauma histories influence their confidence, challenges, and strengths as parents; identify what types of support survivors find helpful, validating, or harmful and to inform trauma‑informed and gender‑responsive parenting and family support policies.

Supervisor(s)

(UC); Dr Louise Morley (UNE)

Field of Research

4203 (420305), 4206 (420601), 4404, 4405, 4407 (440712), 4409 (440902, 440901), 4410 (441009), 4504 (450403)

Young parents with OOHC histories are often framed through risk rather than strengths. The project seeks nuanced, relational, culturally appropriate, trauma‑aware insights into their parenting experiences and support needs.

Supervisor(s)

, Prof Damith Herath

Field of Research

Human‑Robot Interaction, Cognitive Psychology, Interactive Robotics

Exploration of psychological factors impacting adoption of interactive robots in applied settings.

Supervisor(s)

Field of Research

32, 42, 52

This project will explore the social, behavioural, and systemic factors that contribute to time to dementia diagnosis. Using a co-designed approach, it will combine lived experience data from people with dementia, their families, and clinicians with existing clinical datasets to identify both known and previously unrecognised contributors to diagnostic delay. Bayesian models will be developed to formally integrate qualitative insights and quantitative evidence, enabling nuanced understanding of the diagnostic journey across subtypes, sexes, and service contexts. The project will culminate in co-developed, evidence-informed recommendations for improving diagnostic pathways, supporting the goals of the National Dementia Action Plan (2024–2034) by promoting timely, equitable access to diagnosis, care, and treatment.

Supervisor(s)

Field of Research

32, 42, 46

The Sex-Specific Predictive Alzheimer's Risk Index (SPARX) project will develop and validate a predictive model for Alzheimer's disease that accounts for the distinct biological and social factors shaping brain ageing in men and women. Using large-scale datasets such as the UK Biobank and PATH Through Life, the project will apply Bayesian modelling to integrate genetic, cardiometabolic, and lifestyle data with sex-specific determinants including hormonal history and menopause. This approach will provide a more accurate, personalised understanding of midlife dementia risk, decades before clinical symptoms emerge. Building on this foundation, the project will support the creation of a freely accessible online risk assessment tool that links users to evidence-based information and prevention strategies. Through improved prediction and early identification, SPARX will contribute to national dementia prevention priorities by promoting equitable, data-driven approaches to brain health.

Supervisor(s)

Field of Research

32, 42, 46

The AI for Ageing Well project will investigate how generative AI technologies can bridge the gap between complex scientific data and public understanding of brain health and dementia risk. This project will use large-scale datasets and predictive models as foundations for developing interactive, narrative-based, and visual AI tools that communicate brain health concepts in intuitive and meaningful ways. Working in partnership with people with lived experience of dementia, healthcare professionals, and communication experts, the project will co-design and evaluate prototypes — such as conversational agents, personalised brain health visualisations, and interactive education modules — that translate probabilistic risk into actionable insights. By examining how people interpret and engage with AI-generated content, the project will advance understanding of how to responsibly integrate GenAI into public health communication, supporting national dementia prevention goals and promoting informed, empowered approaches to healthy ageing.

Supervisor(s)

Field of Research

Sensory processes, perception and performance. Health, clinical and counselling psychology.

The project can take several shapes depending on the interest of the PhD student. Sub-projects include: investigating cases where paying attention actually decreases conscious perception; the impact of brain noise on what becomes consciously perceived; developing an "attention-profile" for individuals (designing a toolbox to measure different types of attention and see how they relate to each other and to cognitive outcomes and traits). This research should help us understand how the brain produces conscious visual perceptions.

Supervisor(s)

Field of Research

Sensory processes, perception and performance. Health, clinical and counselling psychology.

Face or action stimuli convey a lot of social information. However, not everyone is equally attuned to these cues. In this project, we aim to investigate individual differences in the sensitivity to social stimuli, and look at whether they correlate with individual autism traits.

Supervisor(s)

, Dr Syeda Hira Fatima, Prof Nasser Bagheri

Field of Research

Epidemiology, Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation, Health Services and Systems

This project will quantify how heat and air pollution relate to mental health outcomes across the Australian population and identify vulnerable groups and regions. It will combine population-level epidemiology with co-design involving primary care and health services to prototype a practical, equity-focused heat alert workflow (e.g., GP clinics, community health). Methods may include time-series and spatiotemporal models, evidence synthesis, and implementation science. Scope will be refined with the successful candidate and partner agencies; some components depend on data access and funding.

Supervisor(s)

, Dr Syeda Hira Fatima, Assoc Prof Ro Mcfarlane

Field of Research

Epidemiology, Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation, Health Services and Systems

This project examines how extreme weather (e.g., floods, heatwaves, cyclones, droughts) affects STI risk, service access, and continuity of care in low- and middle-income countries. Using routinely available aggregated data and open geospatial layers, we'll identify where and when disruptions are most likely, and co-develop location-appropriate policy briefs with in-country stakeholders. Methods include epidemiology, small-area/geospatial analysis, and guideline-adaptation frameworks. The scope and countries will be finalised with partners and are contingent on local approvals and funding.

Supervisor(s)

Field of Research

Vision Science

Vision impairment can significantly affect daily functioning, independence, and rehabilitation outcomes. However, clinical vision assessment findings are often reported in technical formats that may not be easily interpreted or applied in multidisciplinary healthcare contexts. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers opportunities to enhance interpretation and clinical application of vision assessment data.

Supervisor(s)

and A/Prof Mary Bushell

Field of Research

420318 People with disability

Disability support workers play a central role in the administration and day-to-day monitoring of psychotropic medicines for people with intellectual and/or neurodevelopmental disability, often with minimal formal education on these medicines, their risks, and appropriate use. This PhD project will evaluate a training program co-designed with people with disability, families, and frontline workers to improve knowledge, confidence, and informed practice. Using a mixed-methods or qualitative evaluation approach, the research will assess the acceptability, usability, and perceived impact of the co-design model, including its influence on workforce confidence and attitudes towards psychotropic use. Findings will inform best practice for training development, contribute to efforts to reduce inappropriate psychotropic prescribing, and support improved quality of life for people with disability.

Supervisor(s)

and Dr Jo Gibson

Field of Research

420318 People with disability

People with intellectual and/or neurodevelopmental disability experience significant inequities in end-of-life care, including limited access to palliative care services and reduced opportunity to choose their preferred place of death. This PhD project will examine the implementation of a palliative care framework within disability service settings, focusing on how choice, planning, and coordinated care can be supported across health and disability systems. Using qualitative methods such as case reviews, interviews with families and professionals, and framework analysis, the research will explore barriers and enablers to implementation, the experiences of key stakeholders, and the extent to which the framework supports person-centred outcomes. Findings will inform best practice for inclusive palliative care and guide future service development and policy.

Supervisor(s)

and A/Prof Mary Bushell

Field of Research

420318 People with disability

Psychotropic medicines are commonly prescribed to children with intellectual and/or neurodevelopmental disability, often to manage behaviours of concern, despite limited evidence, potential side effects, and ongoing concerns about overuse. Families and carers frequently report gaps in accessible, trustworthy information that supports understanding of these medicines and involvement in decision-making. This PhD project will co-design and evaluate an online educational platform (ASPIRE-Kids!) aimed at children and their families, providing developmentally appropriate, accessible information about psychotropic medicines. The research will explore the platform's impact on knowledge, confidence, and engagement in care, as well as its acceptability and usability for families. Outcomes will contribute to safer, more transparent prescribing practices and promote shared decision-making in paediatric disability care.