I am the Head of Department of Psychology and Public Health within the School of Health Medical and Applied Sciences at CQUniversity. I am also an Adjunct Research Fellow on the South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute faculty, aligned with the Wellbeing and Resilience Centre. In conjunction with SAHMRI colleagues, I oversaw the initial development and implementation of CQUniversity's Master of Applied Positive Psychology course. Alongside the MAPP, the Department of Psychology and Public Health has introduced an exciting and innovative range of new courses including: Master of Public Health; Master of Professional Psychology; Graduate Diploma in Traumatic Stress Management;  and Graduate Certificate in Applied Forensic Psychology. We plan to offer a Graduate Certificate in Cross-Cultural Practices from 2021.
I am an Executive committee member of the Heads of Department and Schools of Psychology Association (HODSPA) and hold the office of Treasurer.
I supervise research students across CQUni's Psychology and Science Honours courses, Masters of Clinical Psychology, Masters of Health Science and PhD programs. My primary research interests concentrate on the links between physical and psychological health, and the promotion of resilience and well-being in adjusting to adverse life events. My research is focussed across a diverse spectrum of social activity – from the impact and role on individuals in specific circumstances, to the understanding of how organisational, social and community level impacts can influence health and well-being. My goal is to foster preventive health strategies and promote more efficient and targeted management of individuals, families and groups facing lifestyle changes forced by their experience of challenging and adverse events.