About Me

I come originally from New Zealand where I received my PhD in Psychology from Waikato University working within the Animal Behaviour and Welfare Research Centre, with A/Profs Foster & Temple. In 2003 I moved to Australia and took up a Lectureship at Central Queensland University, now a Professor I have developed a comprehensive research program over the past 17 years broadly investigating Human-Animal Interaction, covering topics such as potential links between personality factors (especially empathy), interpersonal violence and the treatment of animals through to community attitudes regarding farm animal welfare and suitable penalties for individuals convicted of animal cruelty offenses. As well as publishing in academic outlets I am committed to delivering ‘real world’ outcomes from my research and regularly speak at community events for the RSPCA (Qld), am part of the ‘Voices of Influence’ campaign for WSPA (Aus) and assist non-profit community with program evaluations.

I am a member of the Australian Animal Studies Group, the Queensland Centre for Domestic & Family Violence, the Appleton Institute and a Charter Scholar Member of the Animals & Society Institute (USA). I regularly review for Anthrozoos, Journal of Applied Animal Welfare, Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin and a number of international journals in Psychology and Education.

My teaching philosophy, like my research, centers on engaged and inclusive practice - regardless of whether I am teaching a large introductory course, smaller advanced courses or supervising Honours and RHD students.

General

Professional Memberships

Ad hoc reviewer for Anthrozoos; Australian Psychologist; Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science; Clinical Psychology; International Journal of Environmental & Science Education.

Membership of the following professional bodies:

Charter Scholar: Animals and Society Institute (USA)

Behaviorists for Social Responsibility (USA)

Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research (CQU)
Appleton Institute (CQU)

Responsibilities

Deputy Dean Research; Professor in Psychology

Professional Interests

Current Research Interests: Links between interpersonal violence, animal abuse and child abuse; Developmental impact of witnessing violence in the home; The role of empathy in interpersonal violence; Empathy as a mediating factor in disruptive youth; Behavioural principles underlying interpersonal violence.

Past Supervision Topics Include: Humane Education; Attitude to Animals; Domestic violence (attitudes to, bystander behaviour, willingness to report, links with animal harm); Mandatory reporting of animal harm

Recent Research Projects

Royal Flying Doctors Service: Drought Wellbeing Service Evaluation

From: 16/04/2019 to 30/04/2021
Grant: Contract Research (Category 3: Industry and Other)
Funding Schemes: Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (Queensland Section) Limited
Total Funding: $25,000.00

The effectiveness of the Queensland Adult Deterioration Detection System (Q-ADDS)

From: 14/08/2017 to 31/12/2020
Grant: Competitive Grant (Category 2: Other Public Sector)
Funding Schemes: Queensland Health
Total Funding: $314,379.38

Loneliness in Rockhampton

From: 03/05/2018 to 31/07/2018
Grant: Contract Research (Public)
Funding Schemes: Oak Tree Holdings Pty Ltd
Total Funding: $11,190.00

Is a picture worth a thousand words? Cognitive dissonance raised by campaign images

From: 01/01/2015 to 31/12/2015
Grant: Competitive Grant (Category 3)
Funding Schemes: Voiceless
Total Funding: N/A

Research Instrastructure Block Grants 2014 - Twelve month fixed term contract for a full time appointment of a Research Worker at Level 5.1

From: 01/01/2015 to 31/12/2015
Grant: Competitive Grant (Not Specified )
Funding Schemes: Research Infrastructure Block Grants 2014
Total Funding: N/A