Professor Barbara A Spears AM

Adjunct Professor UniSA Education Futures

email Barbara.Spears@unisa.edu.au

Available for media comment
Research Degree Supervisor

About me

bullying
cyberbullying
social media and social marketing
youth mental health
sexting

Hello,

Welcome to my Homepage.

I retired from the Univeristy at the end of 2020, but have maintained Adjunct Professor (Education and Social Development) status since then, continuing to write and work in the areas bullying, cyberbullying, co-participatory design, youth voice, sexting, peer relationships, wellbeing and mental health.

In 2023 I was honoured to receive an Australian Day Award (Member of the Order of Australia (AM): for significant service to tertiary education, to research and to youth.

Qualificiations:

PhD in Education (Flinders University, 2005)
Master of Education Studies (Flinders University, 1998)
Bachelor of Education (UniSA, 1994)
Diploma of Teaching (Primary) (Hartley CAE, 1974)

After... Read more

UniSA Education Futures

Focused on developing education professionals, UniSA Education Futures contributes to innovation in education practice through quality teaching, learning and research excellence.

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About me

Hello,

Welcome to my Homepage.

In 2023 I was honoured to receive an Australian Day Award (Member of the Order of Australia (AM): for significant service to tertiary education, to research and to youth.

Qualificiations:

PhD in Education (Flinders University, 2005)
Master of Education Studies (Flinders University, 1998)
Bachelor of Education (UniSA, 1994)
Diploma of Teaching (Primary) (Hartley CAE, 1974)

After completing my doctorate (2005), I became Program Director of the undergraduate and graduate Bachelor of Education programs in the School of Education, UniSA, one of the largest in the University at that time (1100 students).

My early research career focussed on girls’ peer relationships and indirect/covert bullying behaviours and in translating this research into practice: highlighting the need for schools to include girls in anti-bullying policies and programs, which at that time focused on overt behaviours generally associated with boys.

Much of my research career has been spent investigating peer relationships, and the ways in which bullying operates across gender, age, and most recently off/online settings, also exploring the positive uses of technology to support relationships in educational settings, the impacts of technology on youth mental health, and as resources to support youth mental health and wellbeing.

I have an active interest in related areas, such as sexting and the law as it relates to young people, and have made an important research contribution through employing youth voice and participatory co-design as a methodology in cyberbullying research.

I have led major national and local projects:

Cohort Study of the Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre: Safe and Well Online project for UniSA (2011-2016, $1.6 million);
A Public Health Approach to Sexting (2015-16) ($35,000).
A Review of bullying and cyberbullying resources for the Department For Education and Child Development ($22,000)
A Review of the National Safe Schools Framework for Education Services Australia and the Department of Education ($50,000)

I have been a Chief Investigator (CI) on the following national and international projects/grants:

KidsMatter Evaluation (Primary) (2006-09);
Covert Bullying (Lead CI) (2007-08);
Two ARC Linkage grants (2008-10; 2011-14);
Collaborative Research Network (2011-14); and an
Associate Investigator on an NHMRC grant (2014-17).
Cyberbullying, Sexting and the Law project for the Minister of Education, SA (2014-15),
UNISA lead CI for the Youth Exposure to Cyberbullying project (2014) for the Department of Communications, to inform Commonwealth policy and provision of laws relating to bullying.

I was one of only four Australians invited to participate in the European Co-operation of Science and Technology (COST) Action on Cyberbullying (ISO801) (project management committee: 2008-2012) and the European/Indian/Australian collaboration to examine bullying practices in India (2013-14), leading to being named an Australian Academy of Science Eminent Speaker (2014) which included an invitation to discuss our work with the Education and Science Attaches, Australian High Commission, New Delhi.

My publications have received nearly 3000 literature citations (Google Scholar). I am a member of the editorial boards for: the International Journal of Bullying Prevention; Pastoral Care in Education; International Journal of Emotional Education.

I am an appointed international member of the Centre for Resilience and Socio-Emotional Health (CRES) University of Malta.

I Chair and am an inaugural member of AUARA: Australian Universities’ Anti-bullying Research Alliance, an informal collaboration of Australia’s leading cyber/bullying researchers who join forces as needed to advocate to government and respond to Parliamentary and Senate Enquiries about children and young people's health and wellbeing.

I am an inaugural Ministerial appointment to the SA Child Development Council, and Chair of the SA Charter for Children sub-committee.

I have always been concerned about the way that bullying impacts on families and communities: not only the child who is targeted, and seek to find positive ways to engage with community about these antisocial behaviours in an increasingly mobile environment.

Please feel free to contact me should you require further information about the Research and Consultancy services I can offer.

About me

In the media

Date	Title
08/02/2016	Sexting should be part of Sexual Health Curriculum, http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/sexting-and-cyberbullying-should-be-part-of-sexual-health-curriculum-report-says/news-story/d6ec971dfefed18524ebcb3d0a6e6f2f
05/02/2016	New App Makes Seeking Help A Goal For Teens, https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/new-app-makes-seeking-help-a-goal-for-teens
04/02/2016	Goalzie: Dare you to improve your mental health, http://www.theleadsouthaustralia.com.au/industries/health/dare-you-to-improve-your-mental-health/
25/09/2015	Online Bullying, http://www.todaytonightadelaide.com.au/stories/online-bullying
15/08/2015	National Centre Against Bullying , http://www.ncab.org.au/barbaraspears/
26/07/2015	Bullying as a Child Protection Issue: Australian Catholic University, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11j8IvuaF2E
25/07/2015	Teens should not be treated as predators for sexting, http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/teens-should-not-be-treated-as-predators-for-sexting-to-their-peers-says-attorneygeneral-john-rau/news-story/c92477a396916d18e4dafed13a6ff5db
06/04/2015	Student teachers' knowledge of bullying, http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/student-teachers-are-becoming-better-informed-about-bullying-but-many-confuse-it-with-fighting-unisa-research-finds/news-story/65c50b5ee7293515ecb7de1d3bcd7685
30/03/2015	Adelaide Fight Club Page Should Be Closed Down, https://au.news.yahoo.com/sa/a/26867867/adelaide-fight-club-page-should-be-closed-down/
29/03/2015	Teen Cyberbullying victims shun online help, http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/teen-cyberbullying-victims-shun-online-help-unisa-study-finds/news-story/e7013499920d3b684d115917f2004baf
11/09/2014	The Conversation: Everyone has a part to play in managing bullying, https://theconversation.com/profiles/barbara-spears-128715/articles
05/04/2014	Solving the puzzle of cyberbullying, young people and the law, http://www.uws.edu.au/ics/news_and_media/news/2014/new_campaign_set_to_solve_puzzle_of_cyberbullying,_young_people_and_the_law
09/12/2012	Interview with Dr Barbara Spears, http://www.realmediarealchange.org/interview-with-dr-barbara-spears-lead-researcher-in-the-field-of-young-people-and-cyber-bullying/
12/11/2012	Online Campaign Aims to teach Teenagers How to respect each Other on Social Media, http://www.news.com.au/national/south-australia/online-campaign-aims-to-teach-teenagers-how-to-respect-each-other-on-social-media/story-fndo4dzn-1226515454517
12/11/2012	Campaign Brief: Young and Well launches Keep It Tame, http://www.campaignbrief.com/2012/11/the-young-and-well-cooperative.html
17/05/2012	$2M injection to the University of South Australia, http://www.youngandwellcrc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Media-Release_UniSA-as-EP-announcement_17May2012.pdf
18/04/2011	Dr B Spears talks about Bullying in Australia, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08tuW5UeAow
07/04/2011	Catalyst: Mean Girls, http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3185243.htm
27/08/2009	barbara Spears calls for beating online bullies early, http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/barbara-spears-calls-for-beating-online-bullies-early/story-e6frea6u-1225766933365

Research

Research focus

Psychology
Specialist Studies in Education
Education
Public Health and Health Services
Friendship

Highlights

Spears, B.A., Barnes, A., Taddeo, C & Mills-Bayne, M.

eSports Positive Behaviours Research: A Pilot Study 1 yr (2019)

Commissioned Research: Department for Education + SA Commissioner for Children & Youth: Industry Partner: Adelaide Crows

Spears, B.A., Taddeo, C., Webb-Williams, J., Ey, L., Green, D., & Price, D.

Relationships For Life: 2 yrs (2019-2020)

Commissioned Research: Industry Partners: 6 Schools

Research

Outputs

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.

Highlights

Year	Output
2019	Ey, L-A, Walker, S & Spears, B 2019, 'Young children's thinking about bullying: personal, social-conventional and moral reasoning perspectives', Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 196-210. Open access 7 6 8
2019	McLoughlin, LT, Spears, BA, Taddeo, CM & Hermens, DF 2019, 'Remaining connected in the face of cyberbullying: why social connectedness is important for mental health', Psychology in the Schools, vol. 56, no. 6, pp. 945-958. 32 27 34
2018	Smith, PK, Sundaram, S, Spears, BA, Blaya, C, Schaffer, M & Sandhu, D 2018, Bullying, cyberbullying and student well-being in schools: comparing European, Australia and Indian perspectives, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. 6
2018	Spears, BA, Taddeo, C & Barnes, A 2018, 'Online social marketing approaches to inform cyber/bullying prevention and intervention: what have we learnt?', in M Campbell & S Bauman, Reducing cyberbullying in schools: international evidence-based best practices, Academic Press, UK, ch. 6, pp. 75-94. 8 1

Books

Year	Output
2018	Smith, PK, Sundaram, S, Spears, BA, Blaya, C, Schaffer, M & Sandhu, D 2018, Bullying, cyberbullying and student well-being in schools: comparing European, Australia and Indian perspectives, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. 6
2012	Constabile, A & Spears, BA 2012, The impact of technology on relationships in educational settings, Routledge, Abingdon, Oxon.
2012	Slee, PT, Campbell, M & Spears, B 2012, Child, adolescent and family development, Cambridge University Press, US. 2

Chapters

Year	Output
2023	Green, DM, Spears, BA & Price, DA 2023, 'Reforming approaches to persistent bullying in schools', Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education, Oxford University Press, UK, pp. 1-20.
2023	Taddeo, CM & Spears, BA 2023, 'Coping with cyberbullying (CB) and online harm: fostering social connectedness across fluid sociotechnical ecosystems', in Helen cowie & Carrie-Anne Myers (eds), Cyberbullying and Online Harms: Preventions and Interventions from Community to Campus, Routledge, UK, ch. 12, pp. 131-141. 21
2021	Spears, BA & Taddeo, CM 2021, 'Coping with cyberbullying', in PK Smith & J O'Higgins Norman (eds), The Wiley Blackwell Handbook of Bullying: A Comprehensive and International Review of Research and Intervention, 2 Volume Set, Wiley, US, vol. 2, ch. 13.
2019	Collin, P, Swist, T, Taddeo, C & Spears, B 2019, 'Working with complexity: between control and care in digital research ethics', in P Billett, M Hart & D Martin (eds), Complexities of Researching with Young People, Routledge, UK, ch. 9, pp. 115-129. 6 6
2018	Ey, L-A & Spears, B 2018, 'Early childhood knowledge and understanding of bullying: an approach for early childhood prevention', in PT Slee, G Skrzypiec & C Cefai (eds), Child and adolescent wellbeing and violence prevention in schools, Routledge, United Kingdom, ch. 11, pp. 109-117. Open access
2018	Langos, C, Spears, BA, Taddeo, C, Ey, L-A, Carslake, T, Stretton, A, Sandhu, D & Sundaram, S 2018, 'Bullying, law and pre-service teachers' perspectives: Australian and Indian contexts', in PK Smith et al. (eds), Bullying, cyberbullying and student well-being in schools: comparing European, Australian and Indian perspectives, Cambridge University Press, UK, ch. 14, pp. 285-314. Open access 1
2018	Smith, PK, Sundaram, S, Sandhu, D, Blaya, C, Schaffer, M & Spears, BA 2018, 'Introduction', Bullying, cyberbullying and student well-being in schools: comparing European, Australia and Indian perspectives, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, ch. 1, pp. 3-26. 6
2018	Smith, PK, Sundaram, S, Spears, BA, Blaya, C, Schaffer, M & Sandhu, D 2018, 'Editorial reflections', Bullying, cyberbullying and student well-being in schools: Comparing European, Australia and Indian perspectives, Cambridge University Press., Cambridge, UK, ch. 17, pp. 352-361. 1
2018	Smith, PK, Thompson, F, Rutland, A, Jones, A, Sundaram, S, Sandhu, D, Kaur, K, Spears, B, Koller, S, Gedutiene, R, Sittichai, R & Kovas, Y 2018, 'Issues in cross-national comparisons and the meaning of words for bullying in different languages', in PK Smith et al. (eds), Bullying, cyberbullying and student well-being in schools: comparing European, Australian and Indian perspectives, Cambridge University Press, UK, ch. 4, pp. 61-80. 4
2018	Spears, BA, Taddeo, C & Barnes, A 2018, 'Online social marketing approaches to inform cyber/bullying prevention and intervention: what have we learnt?', in M Campbell & S Bauman, Reducing cyberbullying in schools: international evidence-based best practices, Academic Press, UK, ch. 6, pp. 75-94. 8 1
2018	Spears, BA, Taddeo, C, Ey, L-A, Stretton, A, Carslake, T, Langos, C, Sandhu, D & Sundaram, S 2018, 'Pre-service teachers' understanding of bullying in Australia and India: implications for practice', in PK Smith et al. (eds), Bullying, cyberbullying and student well-being in schools: comparing European, Australian and Indian perspectives, Cambridge University Press, UK, ch. 11, pp. 208-235. 3
2018	Wotherspoon, A, Spears, BA, Sandhu, D & Sundaram, S 2018, 'Indian perspectives on bullying and cyber bullying: documentary interviews with teachers and educational professionals from Punjabi and Tamil Nadu', in PK Smith et al. (eds), Bullying, cyberbullying and student well-being in schools: comparing European, Australian and Indian perspectives, Cambridge University Press, UK, ch. 12, pp. 236-254.
2017	Wotherspoon, A & Spears, B 2017, 'Giving voice: Creative practice and a living lab approach', in PT Slee, G Skrzypiec & C Cefai (eds), Child and adolescent wellbeing and violence prevention in schools, Routledge, US, ch. 5, pp. 44-52.
2016	Spears, BA 2016, 'Technology and wellbeing', in F McCallum & D Price (eds), Nurturing wellbeing development in education: from little things big things grow, Taylor and Francis, US, ch. 5, pp. 88-111. 1
2016	Wotherspoon, A, Slee, PT, Bottroff, V, Martin, J & Spears, BA 2016, 'Issues of bullying and autism spectrum disorder', in RH Shute and PT Slee (eds), Mental health and Wellbeing through Schools: The Way Forward, Routledge, US, ch. 12, pp. 136-145. 2
2013	Boronenko, V, Ucanok, Z, Slee, P, Campbell, M, Cross, D, Valimaki, M & Spears, B 2013, 'Training researchers: visits and training schools', in P Smith & G Steffgen (eds), Cyberbullying through the new media: Findings from an international network, Taylor and Francis, UK, ch. 13, pp. 244-262.
2013	Cross, D, Campbell, M, Slee, P, Spears, B & Barnes, A 2013, 'Australian research to encourage school students' positive use of technology to reduce cyberbullying', in PK Smith & G Steffgen (eds), Cyberbullying through the new media: findings from an international network, Taylor and Francis, UK, ch. 12, pp. 222 - 243. 7
2013	Spears, B & Kofoed, J 2013, 'Transgressing research binaries : youth as knowledge brokers in cyberbullying research', in PK Smith & G Steffgen (eds), Cyberbullying through the new media : findings from an international network, Taylor and Francis, UK, ch.11, pp. 201-221. 32
2013	Spears, B, Costabile, A, Brighi, A, Del Rey, R, Porhola, M, Sanchez, V, Spiel, C & Thompson, F 2013, 'Positive uses of new technologies in relationships in educational settings', in P Smith & G Steffgen (eds), Cyberbullying through the new media: Findings from an international network, Taylor and Francis, UK, ch. 10, pp. 178-200. 12
2013	Spears, BA & Zeederberg, M 2013, 'Emerging methodological strategies to address cyberbullying : online social marketing and young people as co-researchers', in (eds), Principles of cyberbullying research : definitions, measures, and methodology, Routledge, New York, NY, ch. 13, pp. 166-179. 6
2012	Spears, BA & Costabile, A 2012, 'Introduction: the impact of technology on relationships in educational settings', in A Costabile & BA Spears (eds), The impact of technology on relationships in educational settings, Routledge, UK, pp. 1-4.
2012	Spears, BA 2012, 'A review of initiatives using technology to promote cyber-safety and digital citizenship', in A Costabile & B Spears (eds), The impact of technology on relationships in educational settings, Routledge, UK, ch. 17, pp. 188-203.
2012	Spears, BA, Kofoed, J, Bartolo, MG, Palermiti, AL & Costabile, A 2012, 'Positive uses of social networking sites: youth voice perspectives', in A Costabile & B Spears (eds), The impact of technology on relationships in educational settings, Routledge, UK, ch. 1, pp. 7-21.
2011	Spears, BA, Jennifer, D & Williams, S 2011, 'Girls, verbal sexual harassment and sexual bullying: implications for wellbeing', in Shute et al. (eds), Mental health and wellbeing: educational perspectives, Shannon Research Press, Adelaide, South Australia, ch. 9, pp. 103-116.
2010	Campbell, M, Spears, BA, Cross, D & Slee, P 2010, 'Cyberbullying in Australia', in JA Mora-Merchan & T Jager (eds), Cyberbullying : a cross-national comparison, Verlag Empirische Padagogik, Landau, Germany, ch. 16, pp. 232-244;1;2.

Journal Articles

Year	Output
2024	Green, DM, Price, DA & Spears, BA 2024, 'Persistent bullying and the influence of turning points: learnings from an instrumental case study', Pastoral Care in Education, vol. 42, no. 3, pp. 228-248. Open access 1 17
2022	Green, D, Taddeo, C, Price, D, Pasenidou, F & Spears, B 2022, 'A qualitative meta-study of youth voice and co-participatory research practices: informing cyber/bullying research methodologies', International Journal of Bullying Prevention, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 190-208. Open access 5 5
2022	Spears, BA & Green, DM 2022, 'The challenges facing pastoral care in schools and universities due to the COVID-19 pandemic', Pastoral Care in Education, vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 287-296. Open access 10 7 2
2021	Spears, BA, Taddeo, C & Ey, LA 2021, 'Using participatory design to inform cyber/bullying prevention and intervention practices: evidence-Informed insights and strategies', Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools, vol. 31, no. 2, SI, pp. 159-171. Open access 4 2 3
2020	Ey, LA & Spears, B 2020, 'Engaging early childhood teachers in participatory co-design workshops to educate young children about bullying', Pastoral Care in Education, vol. 38, no. 3, pp. 1-14. Open access 6 4
2019	Ey, L-A, Walker, S & Spears, B 2019, 'Young children's thinking about bullying: personal, social-conventional and moral reasoning perspectives', Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 196-210. Open access 7 6 8
2019	McLoughlin, LT, Spears, BA, Taddeo, CM & Hermens, DF 2019, 'Remaining connected in the face of cyberbullying: why social connectedness is important for mental health', Psychology in the Schools, vol. 56, no. 6, pp. 945-958. 32 27 34
2018	Lester, L, Waters, S, Pearce, N, Spears, B & Falconer, S 2018, 'Pre-service teachers: knowledge, attitudes and their perceived skills in addressing student bullying', Australian Journal of Teacher Education, vol. 43, no. 8, article 3, pp. 30-45. Open access 20 10
2018	McLoughlin, L, Spears, B & Taddeo, C 2018, 'The importance of social connection for cybervictims: how connectedness and technology could promote mental health and wellbeing in young people', International Journal of Emotional Education, vol 10, no 1, pp. 5-24. Open access 29 17
2018	Stretton, A, Spears, BA, Taddeo, C & Drennan, J 2018, 'Help-seeking online by young people: Does the Influence of others matter?', International Journal of Emotional Education, vol. S10, no.1, pp. 25-46. Open access 6 3
2017	Campbell, MA, Whiteford, C, Duncanson, K, Spears, B, Butler, D & Slee, PT 2017, 'Cyberbullying bystanders: gender, grade, and actions among primary and secondary school students in Australia', International Journal of Technoethics, vol.8, no. 1, pp. 44- 55. 14 8
2016	Chalmers, C, Campbell, MA, Spears, BA, Butler, D, Cross, D, Slee, P & Kift, S 2016, 'School policies on bullying and cyberbullying: perspectives across three Australian states', Educational Research, vol. 58, no. 1, pp. 91-109. Open access 22 15
2016	Corby, E-K, Campbell, M, Spears, BA, Slee, P, Butler, D & Kift, S 2016, 'Students' perceptions of their own victimization: a youth voice perspective', Journal of School Violence, vol. 15, no. 3., pp. 322-342. 15 10
2016	Young, H, Campbell, M, Spears, B, Butler, D, Cross, D & Slee, P 2016, 'Cyberbullying and the role of the law in Australian schools: views of senior officials', Australian Journal of Education, vol. 60, no. 1, pp. 86-101. Open access 5 4
2015	Ey, L-A, Taddeo, C & Spears, B 2015, 'Cyberbullying and primary-school aged children: the psychological literature and the challenge for sociology', Societies, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 492-514. Open access 13 1
2015	Lester, L, Waters, S, Spears, B, Epstein, M, Watson, J & Wenden, E 2015, 'Parenting adolescents: developing strategies for FIFO parents', Journal of Child and Family Studies, vol. 24, no. 12, pp. 3757-3766. 2 10
2015	Spears, BA, Taddeo, CM, Daly, AL, Stretton, AJ & Karklins, LT 2015, 'Cyberbullying, help-seeking and mental health in young Australians: implications for public health', International Journal of Public Health, vol. 60, no. 2, pp. 219-226. 67 52 23
2014	Price, DA, Green, DM, Spears, BA, Scrimgeour, M, Barnes, AJ, Geer, RE & Johnson, BR 2014, 'A qualitative exploration of cyber-bystanders and moral engagement', Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 1-17. 38 22 3
2013	Campbell, MA, Slee, PT, Spears, B, Butler, D & Kift, S 2013, 'Do cyberbullies suffer too? Cyberbullies' perceptions of the harm they cause to others and to their own mental health', School Psychology International, vol. 34, no. 6, pp. 613-629. Open access 144 111
2012	Campbell, M, Spears, B, Slee, P, Butler, D & Kift, S 2012, 'Victim's perceptions of traditional and cyberbullying, and the psychosocial correlates of their victimisation', Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties, vol. 17, no. 3-4, pp. 389-401. Open access 296 211
2011	Butler, D, Kift, S, Campbell, M, Slee, P & Spears, BA 2011, 'School policy responses to cyberbullying: an Australian legal perspective', International Journal of Law and Education, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 7-28. Open access
2011	Cross, D, Monks, H, Campbell, M, Spears, BA & Slee, P 2011, 'School-based strategies to address cyber bullying', Centre for Strategic Education Seminar Series and Occasional Papers, no. 119, pp. 1-14.
2011	Slee, P, Spears, B, Campbell, M & Cross, D 2011, 'Addressing bullying and cyber-bullying in schools: translating theory into practice', CSE Occasional Papers, no. 123, pp. 1-11.
2011	Spears, BA, Slee, P, Campbell, M & Cross, D 2011, 'Educational change and youth voice: informing school action on cyberbullying', Centre for Strategic Education Seminar Series and Occasional Papers, no. 208, pp. 1-16.
2010	Spears, BA 2010, 'International Perspectives on Cyberbullying. Part 2', vol. 34, pp. 84-86.
2010	Spears, BA, Slee, P, Cross, D & Campbell, M 2010, 'Cyberbullying - Legal Implications for Schools', no. 118, pp. 1-10.
2009	Johnson, BR, Slee, P, Owens, L & Spears, BA 2009, 'Insights into the human dimension of covert and cyberbullying', Zeitschrift fuer Psychologie mit Zeitschrift fuer Angewandte Psychologie, vol. 217, no. 4, pp. 189-196. 178 122
2009	Spears, BA 2009, 'Cyber relationships: the new challenge for Educators', vol. 31, pp. 48-50. Open access
2009	Spears, BA 2009, 'International Perspectives on Cyberbullying. Part 1', vol. 33, pp. 81-82.
2008	Gregory, K, Lawson, M, Owens, L, Spears, BA, Slee, P, Askell-Williams, H, Dix, K & Russell, A 2008, 'Early Challenges in Evaluating the KidsMatter National Mental Health Promotion Initiative in Australian Primary Schools', International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 35-44. Open access

Reports

Year	Output
2024	Green, D, Taddeo, C, Tippett, N, Spears, B, Di Censo, G, Donnarumma, L, Jebril, W & Bishop, C 2024, A review of Australian literature (2014-2023) on student bullying: final report March 2024, Australian Schools Anti-bullying Collective, Australia.
2018	Ey, L-A & Spears, B 2018, Supporting early childhood educators to address bullying in junior primary classes through the co-creation of anti-bullying interventions and resources: a proof of concept study, University of South Australia, prepared for the Organisation Mondiale pour l'Education Préscolaire (OMEP), Australia. Open access
2016	Spears, B, Taddeo, C, Barnes, A, Collin, P, Swist, T, Webb-Williams, J, Brock, C, Kavanagh, P, Drennan, J, Razzell, M & Borbone, V 2016, Something haunting you? Reframing and promoting help-seeking for young men: the co-creation and evaluation of a social marketing campaign., Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, Australia. Open access
2016	Spears, B, Taddeo, C, Collin, P, Swist, T, Razzell, M, Borbone, V & Drennan, J 2016, Safe and well online: Learnings from four social marketing campaigns for youth wellbeing, Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, Melbourne, Australia. Open access
2016	Spears, BA, Taddeo, C, Barnes, A, Collin, P, Swist, T, Webb-Williams, J, Kavanagh, P, Drennan, J, Razzell, M & Borbone, V 2016, Connect. Challenge. Do. Design and evaluation of Goalzie: a goalsetting campaign to promote positive attitudes towards help-seeking for wellbeing., Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, Australia. Open access
2015	Spears, B, Slee, PT & Huntley, J 2015, Cyberbullying, Sexting, and the Law, Department for Education and Child Development, Australia. Open access
2015	Spears, B, Taddeo, C, Barnes, A, Collin, P, Swist, T, Drennan, J, Scrimgeour, M & Razzell, M 2015, 'Appreciate a mate': helping others to feel good about themselves. Safe and well online: a report on the development and evaluation of a positive messaging social marketing campaign for young people., Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, Australia. Open access
2015	Spears, B, Taddeo, C, Barnes, A, Scrimgeour, M, Collin, P, Drennan, J & Razzell, M 2015, Keep it tame: promoting respect online safe and well online pilot study: evaluating the design, engagement and impact of asocial marketing approach aimed at 12 to 18 year olds, Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, Australia. Open access
2015	Taddeo, C, Spears, B, Ey, L, Green, D, Price, D, Carslake, T & Cox, G 2015, A report on the evaluation of the Safe Schools Hub, University of South Australia, Australia. Open access
2014	Katz, I, Keeley, M, Spears, B, Taddeo, C, Swirski, T & Bates, S 2014, Research on youth exposure to, and management of, cyberbullying incidents in Australia: synthesis report, Social Policy Research Centre, Australia. Open access
2014	Spears, B, Taddeo, C, Swirski, T, Keeley, M, Katz, I, Collin, P, Daly, T & Bates, S 2014, Research on youth exposure to, and management of, cyberbullying incidents in Australia. Part C: an evidence-based assessment of deterrents to youth cyberbullying, Social Policy Research Centre, Australia. Open access
2014	Spears, BA, Keeley, M, Bates, S & Katz, I 2014, Research on youth exposure to, and management of, cyberbullying incidents in Australia. Part A: literature review on the estimated prevalence of cyberbullying involving Australian minors, Social Policy Research Centre, Australia. Open access
2010	Dix, K, Keeves, J, Slee, P, Lawson, M, Russell, A, Askell-Williams, H, Skrzypiec, G, Owens, L & Spears, BA 2010, KidsMatter primary evaluation technical report and user guide, Shannon Research Press, Adelaide, South Australia. Open access
2009	Slee, P, Lawson, M, Russell, A, Askell-Williams, H, Dix, K, Owens, L, Skrzypiec, G & Spears, BA 2009, KidsMatter: evaluation final report, Beyond Blue, Australia. Open access
2009	Spears, BA, Slee, P, Owens, L & Johnson, B 2009, Behind the scenes : insights into the human dimension of covert bullying, DEEWR/DEST, Australia. Open access

External engagement & recognition

Collaborations

Highlights

Engagement Highlights:

Child Development Council SA; Chair of the Charter for Children and Young People Sub-Committee
European Co-operation of Science and Technology (COST) Action on Cyberbullying (ISO801) (project management committee: 2008-2012) : Coping with negative and Enhancing Positive Uses of Technology in Relationships in Educational Settings
European/Indian/Australian project to examine bullying practices in India (2013-14)
Australian Academy of Science Eminent Speaker (2014)
Meeting with the Education and Science Attaches, Australian High Commission, New Delhi to discuss the work in India.
Founding member of the Coalition to Decrease Bullying, Harassment and Violence in SA Schools, now renamed: the Coalition to promote safe, supportive and respectful early learning and school communities
National Technology and Wellbeing Roundtable: Thought Leaders and Industry Partners
Advisory Board of the National Cetnre Against Bullying: Alannah & Madeline Foundation
National Symposium: (Convenor) New Technologies and Ethics in Wellbeing Research: Innovation, Ethical and Methodological Challenges
Ministerial Advisory Groups on Cyberbullying ; Sexting; Law (Minister of Communications; Education);
Commonwealth Joint Select Committee on cyber-safety, 2011

Recognition/Awards:

Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to tertiary education, research and youth
Outstanding Achievement in International Engagement (2014):Australian/Indian Anti-Bullying Research Collaboration: Div EASS, University of SA
Australian Academy of Science: Eminent Speaker (India) (2014)
Australian Academy of Science: COST Action Travel Grants (2009-2012)
Supported Researcher, UniSA (2008; 2009; 2012)
Supported Teacher Awards (2005; 2006)
PhD Scholarship: Flinders University (1996)
May Mills Scholarship for Women: Flinders University (1994)

External engagement & recognition

Collaborations

Organisation	Country
Aarhus University	DENMARK
Annamalai University	INDIA
Curtin University	AUSTRALIA
Edith Cowan University	AUSTRALIA
Emil Ford & Co - Lawyers	AUSTRALIA
Flinders University	AUSTRALIA
Hacettepe University	TURKEY
James Cook University	AUSTRALIA
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich	GERMANY
Macrossans Lawyers	AUSTRALIA
National Cheng Kung University	TAIWAN
Punjabi University	INDIA
QLD Teachers Union	AUSTRALIA
Queensland University of Technology	AUSTRALIA
Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development	INDIA
Stranmillis University College	UNITED KINGDOM
Telethon Kids Institute	AUSTRALIA
Telethon Kids Institute, Subiaco, WA	AUSTRALIA
The Open University	UNITED KINGDOM
University of Bologna	ITALY
University of Calabria	ITALY
University of Daugavpils	LATVIA
University of Jyvaskyla	FINLAND
University of London	UNITED KINGDOM
University of Munchen	GERMANY
University of New South Wales	AUSTRALIA
University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis	FRANCE
University of Seville	SPAIN
University of South Australia	AUSTRALIA
University of the Sunshine Coast	AUSTRALIA
University of Turku	FINLAND
University of Vienna	AUSTRIA
University of Western Australia	AUSTRALIA
Western Sydney University	AUSTRALIA
Zuni	AUSTRALIA

External engagement & recognition

Engagement/recognition	Year
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) Order of Australia	2023
Board Member National Centre Against Bullying	2018
Editorial Board Member International Journal Of Emotional Education	2018
keynote address International Colloquium on Bullying and Cyberbullying, University of Bologna, Italy	2018
Member, Advisory Board: Student Wellbeing and Prevention of Violence Research Group Flinders University	2018
Roundtable member National Technology and Wellbeing	2018
Board Member National Centre Against Bullying	2017
Editorial Board Member International Journal Of Emotional Education	2017
Expert appointment: The Issue & Research Definition Working Party Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY)	2017
International Society for Study of Behavioural Development: South East Asian International Regional Workshop: School Safety and School Climate Prince of Songkla University	2017
Invited Member National Safe Schools Hub development	2017
Invited Member National Safe Schools Framework	2017
Invited witness Federal Coalition for Children Online Safety	2017
Member Australian Universities Anti-Bullying Research Alliance (AUARA)	2017
Member National Bullying Researchers Alliance: ARACY (Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth)	2017
Member, Advisory Board: Student Wellbeing and Prevention of Violence Research Group Flinders University	2017
Member, Advisory group on Cyberbullying Minister of Communications, Australian Government	2017
Organising Committee and Teaching Faculty Inaugural Joint EU/Australian Research Training School on Cyberbullying	2017
Roundtable member National Technology and Wellbeing	2017
Board Member National Centre Against Bullying	2016
Keynote Speaker Korean National Commission for UNESCO	2016
Keynote Speaker 3rd International Symposium on Bullying, National Institute for Educational Research, Ministry of Education, Japan	2016
Keynote speaker, Cyberbullying: A Challenge for Researchers and Practitioners: Prevention and Intervention. University of Gothenburg	2016
Member, Advisory Board: Student Wellbeing and Prevention of Violence Research Group Flinders University	2016
Roundtable member National Technology and Wellbeing	2016
Board Member National Centre Against Bullying	2015
Member, Advisory Board: Student Wellbeing and Prevention of Violence Research Group Flinders University	2015
Roundtable member National Technology and Wellbeing	2015
Board Member National Centre Against Bullying	2014
Eminent speaker award for participation in the Indian-European Research Networking seminar on Bullying, Cyberbullying, Pupil Safety and Wellbeing Australian Academy of Science	2014
Member Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, VicHealth Commonwealth Review	2014
Member, Advisory Board: Student Wellbeing and Prevention of Violence Research Group Flinders University	2014
Member, Evaluation Advisory Group Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, VicHealth	2014
Member, Prevention Science Network Working Party (ARACY) Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, VicHealth	2014
Member, The Issue & Research Definition Working Party Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY)	2014
Member, WebWise Evaluation Advisory Group Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, VicHealth	2014
Public Consultation on Key election Commitments: Enhancing Online Safety for Children Department of Communications, Australian Government	2014
Roundtable member National Technology and Wellbeing	2014
Board Member National Centre Against Bullying	2013
Member, Advisory Board: Student Wellbeing and Prevention of Violence Research Group Flinders University	2013
Member, Advisory Committee Alannah and Madeleine Foundation	2013
Member, Evaluation Advisory Group Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, VicHealth	2013
Member, The Issue & Research Definition Working Party Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY)	2013
Member, WebWise Evaluation Advisory Group Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, VicHealth	2013
Organising Committee of the 1st Joint EU COST Action/Australian Research Training School Australian Research Training School	2013
Roundtable member National Technology and Wellbeing	2013
Senate Select Committee on Cyber Safety: Inquiry into and report on options for addressing the issue of sexting by minors Senate Select Committee	2013
Board Member National Centre Against Bullying	2012
Member, Advisory Board: Student Wellbeing and Prevention of Violence Research Group Flinders University	2012
Panel of Experts: Bullying Danish School of Education, Aahus University, Copenhagen	2012
Roundtable member National Technology and Wellbeing	2012
Board Member National Centre Against Bullying	2011
Member National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children Youth Online Working Group (USA)	2011
Member, Advisory Board: Student Wellbeing and Prevention of Violence Research Group Flinders University	2011
Panel of Experts: Bullying Danish School of Education, Aahus University, Copenhagen	2011
Roundtable member National Technology and Wellbeing	2011
Board Member National Centre Against Bullying	2010
Member, Advisory Board: Student Wellbeing and Prevention of Violence Research Group Flinders University	2010
Roundtable member National Technology and Wellbeing	2010

Other

Advisory Committee: Association of Independent Schools of South Australia - School Governance Committee, (2006-2008)
Digital Literacies sub-committee (Alannah & Madeleine Foundation AMF)
Facebook+Learning Advisory Committee/Alannah & Madeleine Foundation (2013; 2014)
Registered Teacher in South Australia
Editorial Board and Reviewer for many leading Academic Journals

Teaching & student supervision

Teaching strengths

Educational, Developmental and Social Psychology
Research Methods
Wellbeing
Honours

Highlights

High Achievement in Student Evaluation Attainment (Postgraduate Teaching: 2017)

Supported Teacher Awards

2005; 2006

Teaching & student supervision

Research degree supervision

Supervisions from 2010 shown

Thesis title	Student status
Addressing work integrated learning strategies across the Humanities and Social Sciences	Current
Individual, relational and community factors that contribute to a Third Culture Kids transition and sense of belonging when returning to their passport country	Current
Rational emotive behaviour education a community approach to better emotional and behavioural self-management constructed beliefs, emotions and behaviour whats the connection	Current
An investigation into the relationships between cyberbullying, coping and help seeking in young adolescents	Completed
An investigation into young children's perspectives of their wellbeing during transition from preschool to school	Completed
An investigation of persistent bullying at school: multiple perspectives on a complex social phenomenon	Completed
Transformative education through collaborative learning design: participatory, communicative and emergent processes for deep meaning and engagement in the middle years	Completed
Youth help-seeking for mental ill-health: investigating dynamics between the individual and the social	Completed

Professor Barbara A Spears AM

About me

About me

UniSA Education Futures

About me

Professional Associations

In the media

Experience

Qualifications

Research

Research focus

Highlights

Projects

Other projects

Outputs

Highlights

Books

Chapters

Journal Articles

Reports

Current research & highlights

External engagement & recognition

Collaborations

Highlights

Collaborations

External engagement & recognition

Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

Board Member

Editorial Board Member

keynote address

Member, Advisory Board: Student Wellbeing and Prevention of Violence Research Group

Roundtable member

Board Member

Editorial Board Member

Expert appointment: The Issue & Research Definition Working Party

International Society for Study of Behavioural Development: South East Asian International Regional Workshop: School Safety and School Climate

Invited Member

Invited Member

Invited witness

Member

Member

Member, Advisory Board: Student Wellbeing and Prevention of Violence Research Group

Member, Advisory group on Cyberbullying

Organising Committee and Teaching Faculty

Roundtable member

Board Member

Keynote Speaker

Keynote Speaker

Keynote speaker, Cyberbullying: A Challenge for Researchers and Practitioners: Prevention and Intervention.

Member, Advisory Board: Student Wellbeing and Prevention of Violence Research Group

Roundtable member

Board Member

Member, Advisory Board: Student Wellbeing and Prevention of Violence Research Group

Roundtable member

Board Member

Eminent speaker award for participation in the Indian-European Research Networking seminar on Bullying, Cyberbullying, Pupil Safety and Wellbeing

Member

Member, Advisory Board: Student Wellbeing and Prevention of Violence Research Group

Member, Evaluation Advisory Group

Member, Prevention Science Network Working Party (ARACY)

Member, The Issue & Research Definition Working Party

Member, WebWise Evaluation Advisory Group

Public Consultation on Key election Commitments: Enhancing Online Safety for Children

Roundtable member

Board Member

Member, Advisory Board: Student Wellbeing and Prevention of Violence Research Group

Member, Advisory Committee

Member, Evaluation Advisory Group

Member, The Issue & Research Definition Working Party

Member, WebWise Evaluation Advisory Group

Organising Committee of the 1st Joint EU COST Action/Australian Research Training School

Roundtable member

Senate Select Committee on Cyber Safety: Inquiry into and report on options for addressing the issue of sexting by minors

Board Member

Member, Advisory Board: Student Wellbeing and Prevention of Violence Research Group

Panel of Experts: Bullying

Roundtable member

Board Member

Member

Member, Advisory Board: Student Wellbeing and Prevention of Violence Research Group