Research Fellow, University of Sydney I am a Research Fellow at The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, based at the University of Sydney. My research focuses on the interrelationship between mental health and substance use disorders, particularly anxiety and alcohol use disorders, to inform the development, evaluation and implementation of effective prevention, early intervention, and treatment programs. My work predominantly focuses on digital health interventions, to increase the reach and sustainability of my mental health and substance use interventions. I have made independent, original, and significant contributions to the existing body of knowledge in this area by leading two independent programs of research that seek to: 1) develop and trial an innovative online Cognitive Bias Modification brain training program to reduce the severity and impact of anxiety and hazardous alcohol use among young adults (‘Re-Train Your Brain’, funded by a 3-year Postdoctoral Fellowship), and 2) understand the prevalence and impact of “drinking to cope” among postpartum mothers to inform the co-development of a novel, innovative and evidence-based anxiety-alcohol intervention tailored for new mothers (‘Healthy Mum, Healthy Bub’). These programs of research build on my experience in developing, coordinating, and evaluating other interventions in world-first randomised controlled trials, including an internet-delivered early intervention for young adults who drink to cope with anxiety (the ‘Inroads’ study), and an integrated intervention for depression and substance use disorders (the ‘Activate’ study). ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS: 2014– 2018: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Public Health & Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney. Thesis title: “Substance use, depression and social phobia: an examination of co-occurring disorders.” 2012: B.Sci(Psych)(Hons), First Class (83/100), Australian National University, Canberra. Thesis title: “Students’ expectations of ageing: An evaluation of the impact of imagined intergenerational contact and the mediating role of ageing anxiety.” 2008– 2011: B.Com/Sci(Psych), Australian National University, Canberra.
Emeritus Professor , UNSW Sydney An Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, Kevin McConkey has worked in universities in Australia, Canada, China, and the USA. His publications span psychology and management. His recognition includes appointment as a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a Member of the Order of Australia. He has experience in the governance and management of universities in Australia and overseas, including in the roles of President, Academic Board, University of New South Wales and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Newcastle. Since leaving full-time employment, he has undertaken higher education and other consultancies in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions, in areas such as governance, management, strategic direction, quality assurance, international relationships, research activities, and risk management.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Studies, University of Florida Kathryn (Katy) Chapman (she/her) is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Studies for the School of Special Education, School Psychology, and Early Childhood Studies in the College of Education at the University of Florida. Her research interests focus on the intersection of policy, leadership, and financial investments to address inequities across early childhood systems. Prior to pursuing her Ph.D., Dr. Chapman was a Kindergarten and Preschool teacher in Virginia, Wisconsin, and Arizona, and she worked as a Confidential Assistant with the Early Learning Team in the Office of the Secretary at the United States Department of Education. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Evaluation, focusing on Early Childhood Policy, from the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University.
Research Fellow in Restoration Ecology, University of Waikato I am passionate about restoration of native ecosystems, especially in urban areas. Going hand-in-hand with that, I like to restore people's connection with nature, helping them enjoy and benefit from it! Research involving society and the environment sparks my interest and allows me to shine, whatever a specific project may entail.
Reader in Ecology, University of Central Lancashire Kevin teaches ecological, field-based and research-related subjects within Biology, Geography and Environmental Sciences. His expertise lies within the realms of soil ecology. Kevin’s primary focus is on research and, for example, he has collaborated with the Natural History Museum, Forest Research, Scottish Natural Heritage and the British Land Reclamation Society. Overseas research has involved work with numerous Universities and other institutions. Kevin also supervises research students in areas of applied ecology. Kevin has published widely in the sphere of soil ecology with a focus on the use of earthworms and the services they provide. These ecosystem services can be harnessed e.g. to improve soil quality within the context of soil restoration and in low input agriculture. Kevin’s research also involves organic waste management and ecotoxicology. Kevin joined the University of Central Lancashire in 1994. He was initially involved with teaching in areas of Conservation and Environmental Management, but over the years he has developed his research profile. This has led to National and International collaborations in temperate regions across the world. Kevin has spent time working in Ohio, USA, with the United States Department of Agriculture and in Finland at the Natural Resources Institute (LUKE). He is also visited in Preston by researchers keen to experience our earthworm husbandry facilities and visit active field experiments. Kevin has made numerous broadcasts on local and National radio and TV and was interviewed on BBC Radio 4 in 2016 about the discovery of the largest earthworm found in Britain on the Isle of Rum. Kevin has organised research meetings in Wales (2002), Scotland (2014) and in Poland (2018).
Professor and Director of the Climate Change Research Centre, UNSW, UNSW Sydney I am interested in abrupt climate change events as well as thresholds and feedbacks in the climate system. I use Earth System Climate Models in conjunction with paleoclimate records to improve our understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying climate variability and climate change, particularly in the context of terrestrial biogeochemical cycles and ocean circulation. I am the Director of the Climate Change Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney Australia. I am also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Victoria, Canada and a Courtesy Faculty Member at the Oregon State University, USA.
