New generation psychology advances in science motivation and engagement. Following alarming declines in science participation and performance at school and beyond, this project aims to harnesses educational psychology, physiological psychology, and neuro-psychology, to develop “new generation” advances in science motivation and engagement. Building on latest developments in mobile data capture in psychology, the project will identify key elements of student motivation and engagement associated w ....New generation psychology advances in science motivation and engagement. Following alarming declines in science participation and performance at school and beyond, this project aims to harnesses educational psychology, physiological psychology, and neuro-psychology, to develop “new generation” advances in science motivation and engagement. Building on latest developments in mobile data capture in psychology, the project will identify key elements of student motivation and engagement associated with outcomes in school-based scientific disciplines. With a comprehensive understanding of motivation and engagement, effective intervention to boost outcomes is possible. Enhancing the motivation and engagement that underpins research and innovation in society can enhance a nation’s competitiveness and optimise students’ potential.Read moreRead less
On feeling good and succeeding: Identifying the antecedents of emotional well-being and school success amongst adolescents. We propose a multi-wave longitudinal study of all high school students in the Wollongong Catholic Diocese, identifying the psychological predictors of academic and emotional problems. We will track students and monitor the influence over time of a comprehensive set of predictors, examining their unique effects on the trajectories of educational and emotional outcomes. The s ....On feeling good and succeeding: Identifying the antecedents of emotional well-being and school success amongst adolescents. We propose a multi-wave longitudinal study of all high school students in the Wollongong Catholic Diocese, identifying the psychological predictors of academic and emotional problems. We will track students and monitor the influence over time of a comprehensive set of predictors, examining their unique effects on the trajectories of educational and emotional outcomes. The study will inform us about the developmental processes through which youth pass, leading to a new model of the psychological processes involved in academic and emotional outcomes. This model will enhance future intervention programmes with youth at risk of academic and emotional problems.Read moreRead less
The impact of post-incident debriefing on psychological wellbeing and recall of events. First response emergency service personnel, such as fire fighters, police officers and paramedics provide an essential service, but as a result of their work are at increased risk of developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In an attempt to protect against PTSD many personnel are required to attend group debriefings following exposure to traumatic events. However, there is evidence that these group d ....The impact of post-incident debriefing on psychological wellbeing and recall of events. First response emergency service personnel, such as fire fighters, police officers and paramedics provide an essential service, but as a result of their work are at increased risk of developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In an attempt to protect against PTSD many personnel are required to attend group debriefings following exposure to traumatic events. However, there is evidence that these group debriefings may actually increase the risk of PTSD and also permanently distort the participants' memory for the events they witnessed. We will work with NSW Fire Brigade to develop an effective PTSD intervention for emergency service personnel which also preserves the integrity of the participants' memory for critical events.Read moreRead less
The early communicative environment prior to and following cochlear implants: impact on children's early communicative and cognitive development. This research with children with cochlear implants will examine the effect on language development of being in an oral environment or one that also includes sign language. The outcomes will provide information for parents and professionals enabling informed decision about the management of the children to promote the best possible outcomes.
Creating a climate for change: from cognition to consensus. Climate change is a significant contemporary issue, and communicating the complexities of the terminology and the data is a major modern challenge. This project will apply principles of cognitive and social psychology to determine the most effective methods for promoting an understanding of the scientific dimensions of the issue. The research is significant because it provides a coherent theoretical framework for identifying the psychol ....Creating a climate for change: from cognition to consensus. Climate change is a significant contemporary issue, and communicating the complexities of the terminology and the data is a major modern challenge. This project will apply principles of cognitive and social psychology to determine the most effective methods for promoting an understanding of the scientific dimensions of the issue. The research is significant because it provides a coherent theoretical framework for identifying the psychological mechanisms underlying cognition and commitment at both an individual and collective level. The outcome will be a body of evidence that will inform strategies and policies for communication of complex scientific questions.Read moreRead less
Learning to Talk, Talking to Learn: Effects of an early childhood language program in remote Northern Territory indigenous communities. Both the quality and quantity of language children hear, and adult understandings of child development, drive children's future outcomes. Understanding how to improve both is critical to the lifelong education, employment and social potential of children from low socioeconomic families, especially with hearing loss. This project aims to examine to what extent a ....Learning to Talk, Talking to Learn: Effects of an early childhood language program in remote Northern Territory indigenous communities. Both the quality and quantity of language children hear, and adult understandings of child development, drive children's future outcomes. Understanding how to improve both is critical to the lifelong education, employment and social potential of children from low socioeconomic families, especially with hearing loss. This project aims to examine to what extent a parent-implemented early childhood language program designed to buffer against effects of childhood otitis media can support indigenous children in remote northern Australia. Outcomes aim to be data on effects on children's language, attention, and school readiness, plus uptake of strategies and knowledge by parents and other adults, and evidence regarding best practice in such contexts.Read moreRead less
Forensic reasoning and uncertainty: identifying pattern and impression expertise. Maintaining high standards of evidence is vital for an effective justice system and ensuring that innocent people are not wrongly accused. This project aims to improve the reliability of forensic evidence and the value of expert testimony in the criminal justice system by examining forensic decision making.
Beyond Speech: Towards better communication for children with hearing loss. Despite the benefits of early newborn hearing screening and early intervention programs for children with hearing loss, most still experience academic and social challenges at school. This is partly due to ongoing listening effort, leading to communicative breakdown. This project aims to identify the locus of the communicative challenges these children face during daily discourse interactions. The outcomes will identify ....Beyond Speech: Towards better communication for children with hearing loss. Despite the benefits of early newborn hearing screening and early intervention programs for children with hearing loss, most still experience academic and social challenges at school. This is partly due to ongoing listening effort, leading to communicative breakdown. This project aims to identify the locus of the communicative challenges these children face during daily discourse interactions. The outcomes will identify which levels of language are most compromised and will inform future interventions to reduce children’s listening effort. This will be undertaken by bringing together researchers in basic science with hearing service providers, parents and industry, providing an innovative model for solving multidisciplinary challenges.Read moreRead less
Enhancing lifeguard performance: A multidisciplinary approach. This project aims to improve the timely identification of swimmers at risk of drowning by drawing on a range of theoretical, empirical, and methodological approaches from the disciplines of organisational psychology, human factors, cognitive science and computer science. Lifeguards are vital for maintaining public safety at aquatic venues, however despite their presence, fatal and non-fatal drownings occur every year with little know ....Enhancing lifeguard performance: A multidisciplinary approach. This project aims to improve the timely identification of swimmers at risk of drowning by drawing on a range of theoretical, empirical, and methodological approaches from the disciplines of organisational psychology, human factors, cognitive science and computer science. Lifeguards are vital for maintaining public safety at aquatic venues, however despite their presence, fatal and non-fatal drownings occur every year with little known about the factors that affect vigilance, scanning and sustained attention in such a complex, dynamic environment. Expected outcomes of the project include evidence-based solutions for selecting, training and maintaining the performance of lifeguards that account for both organisational and individual factors. These will improve Australia’s ability to build social capital in both urban and rural centres by providing the safest possible community swimming pools.Read moreRead less
An MEG (brain imaging) system to study cognitive processing in children. This project introduces the world's first brain imaging system to study cognitive processing in children, using magnetoencephalography (MEG). MEG offers precise measurement of brain activities using a non-invasive, non-contact method. MEG is an ideal brain imaging device for use with children and with special clinical populations. It promises to be valuable (a) for the identification of cortical functions of the human brain ....An MEG (brain imaging) system to study cognitive processing in children. This project introduces the world's first brain imaging system to study cognitive processing in children, using magnetoencephalography (MEG). MEG offers precise measurement of brain activities using a non-invasive, non-contact method. MEG is an ideal brain imaging device for use with children and with special clinical populations. It promises to be valuable (a) for the identification of cortical functions of the human brain prior to surgery, (b) for the diagnosis of loci for developmental and acquired brain disorders, (c) in determining pharmaceutical effects on children, and (d) in the assessment of recovery of sensory and cognitive functions following brain injury. Read moreRead less