As the science of human (and animal) thinking and behaviour, psychology is inherently fascinating and relevant to better understanding ourselves, those we interact with, and the grand challenges in the world.
I am passionate applying psychological knowledge and methodologies to contemporary societal issues. My research focus is conservation psychology, which explores our relationships with the natural world as well as ways of making these relationships more sustainable. I have a particular interest in environmental education, protecting endangered species, and the ways in which spending time in nature supports our physical and psychological well-being. Recent projects include working in collaboration with Zoos Victoria to evaluate... Read more
About me
As the science of human (and animal) thinking and behaviour, psychology is inherently fascinating and relevant to better understanding ourselves, those we interact with, and the grand challenges in the world.
I am passionate applying psychological knowledge and methodologies to contemporary societal issues. My research focus is conservation psychology, which explores our relationships with the natural world as well as ways of making these relationships more sustainable. I have a particular interest in environmental education, protecting endangered species, and the ways in which spending time in nature supports our physical and psychological well-being. Recent projects include working in collaboration with Zoos Victoria to evaluate their ‘Love Your Locals’ and ‘We’re Calling on You’ conservation education programs regarding boosting the public profile of endangered local native species to support their conservation and raising community awareness about the importance of mobile phone recycling to protect gorilla populations and their habitat.
As an educator, I draw upon my research and professional experiences facilitating nature-based programs for children to draw connections between theory, research, and practical applications of psychological knowledge. My teaching is driven by the desire to contribute to the education of the next generation of psychology professionals so they too can apply their knowledge of the science of psychology across the interesting and diverse careers they pursue.
About me
About me
Doctor of Philosophy University of South Australia
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) University of South Australia
Graduate Certificate in Education (University Teaching) University of South Australia
Conservation Psychology, Teaching and learning in Psychology, Human-animal interactions, Environmental education, Applied psychology, Psychological benefits of connecting with nature
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
Investigating the impact of Zoos Victoria's `When Balloons Fly' conservation education program on visitor awareness concerning debris and plastic pollution in the marine environment, Zoos Victoria, 01/01/2017 - 30/06/2018
Evaluating the love your locals initiative, Zoos Victoria, 27/10/2015 - 20/12/2016
Research
Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID, ResearcherID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2016 |
Open access
42
36
16
|
| 2014 |
28
23
5
|
| 2014 |
Open access
69
55
13
|
| 2013 |
36
31
|
| 2011 |
41
36
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2024 |
Open access
1
|
| 2023 |
|
| 2022 |
Open access
4
4
160
|
| 2021 |
5
3
3
|
| 2021 |
20
19
26
|
| 2020 |
2
|
| 2020 |
35
37
22
|
| 2020 |
10
9
30
|
| 2020 |
41
40
25
|
| 2019 |
23
16
7
|
| 2019 |
Open access
|
| 2017 |
9
8
|
| 2017 |
14
12
1
|
| 2016 |
21
2
|
| 2016 |
Open access
42
36
16
|
| 2014 |
28
23
5
|
| 2014 |
Open access
69
55
13
|
| 2014 |
40
39
|
| 2013 |
Open access
3
|
| 2013 |
Open access
6
5
|
| 2013 |
36
31
|
| 2013 |
Open access
12
10
|
| 2012 |
24
20
|
| 2012 |
13
12
|
| 2011 |
41
36
|
| 2010 |
6
4
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2012 |
Open access
|
Bub Hub post - Help your child flourish through time in nature
Kidspot post - If your kids can't sit still, there's a reason (and solution) for that
Research
Conservation Psychology, Teaching and learning in Psychology, Human-animal interactions, Environmental education, Applied psychology, Psychological benefits of connecting with nature
External engagement & recognition
| Organisation | Country |
|---|---|
| Adelphi University | UNITED STATES |
| Australian National University | AUSTRALIA |
| Edith Cowan University | AUSTRALIA |
| Flinders University | AUSTRALIA |
| Humboldt University Berlin | GERMANY |
| Still Aware | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Adelaide | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Melbourne | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Michigan | UNITED STATES |
| University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| Wildlife Conservation and Science | AUSTRALIA |
| Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria | AUSTRALIA |
| Zoos Victoria | AUSTRALIA |
External engagement & recognition
| Engagement/recognition | Year |
|---|---|
MemberAustralian Psychological Society (APS) |
2017 |
MemberAustralasian Society for the Study of Animal Behaviour |
2017 |
Member, APS Interest Group: Psychologists for the Promotion of Animal WelfareAustralian Psychological Society (APS) |
2017 |
Member, APS Interest Group: Psychology and the EnvironmentAustralian Psychological Society (APS) |
2017 |
Member, APS Interest Group: Psychology EducationAustralian Psychological Society (APS) |
2017 |
Early Career Teaching AwardAustralian Psychological Society (APS) |
2015 |
Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student LearningOffice for Learning and Teaching, Department of Education and Training, Australian Government |
2013 |
Member- Golden Key International Honour Society
Teaching & student supervision
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
| Thesis title | Student status |
|---|---|
| Development of a measure to assess climate change impacts on psychological well-being in Australian adults: a psychoterratic perspective | Current |
| This is what I actually need: Addressing contemporary learner's needs through amplifying the first-year student voice | Current |
| Exploring stillbirth stigma through the development and measurement of the stillbirth stigma scale: a dedication to Sofia Josephine | Completed |
| Investigating teachers¿ experience of being ¿mobile smart¿ at the zoo to enhance conservation education | Completed |
| New methods for harnessing the unconscious: testing metaphor to generate ideas | Completed |
| Progressing zoo conservation-education evaluation: application of theory to practice | Completed |
| The influence of nature-based activities on pro-environmental behaviours, nature connection and wellbeing: an exploratory study | Completed |
