Research streams

Research streams

• Early intervention and treatment
  
• Epidemiology and biostatistics
  
• Prevention
  
• Research development and strategy
  
• Technology, innovation and translation
  

Research programs

• Digital interventions and engagement, led by Dr Louise Thornton
  
• Healthy lifestyles research, led by Dr Katrina Champion
• Intervention and implementation, led by Associate Professor Lexine Stapinski
• Lifespan and brain health research, led by Associate Professor Louise Mewton
• Measurement and methodology, led by Associate Professor Matthew Sunderland
• Smoking, vaping and mental health, led by Dr Emily Stockings
  
• Trauma and crime research, led by Associate Professor Emma Barrett
• Treatment and translation in complex populations, led by Dr Christina Marel

Early intervention and treatment

One in every two people will develop a mental or substance use disorder during their lifetime.

Our treatment research aims to develop and evaluate the efficacy of novel interventions to treat these disorders as well as their combination.

Our research has focused on the testing of psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies for individuals who have both a substance use disorder and the most common mental disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depressive and psychotic disorders.

Epidemiology and biostatistics

Epidemiological studies of mental and substance use disorders are vital to understanding the size and nature of the health challenges posed by these disorders.

Our epidemiology research aims to carry out epidemiological studies, both cross-sectional and longitudinal, examining the prevalence, correlates and natural history of mental and substance use disorders.

We also aim to refine and improve how mental health and substance use disorders are diagnosed and classified.

Prevention

Mental and substance use disorders are the leading causes of disability among young people worldwide.

In Australia, one in four young people will meet criteria for a substance use or mental disorder in any year and half will develop this disorder before they leave school.

Our prevention research aims to reduce the occurrence and cost of these disorders, by developing, evaluating and translating innovative approaches to prevention in schools and communities.

Research development and strategy

Effective prevention, early intervention and treatment can significantly reduce disease burden by halting, delaying, and interrupting the onset and progression of disorders.

Despite this, Australia spends only 1.7 percent of total health expenditure on prevention, fewer than two-thirds of all other OECD countries. To change this, we need initiatives which represent genuine partnerships across researchers, clinicians, people with lived experience, and philanthropy.

Our research development and strategy activities are designed to develop these key partnerships and contribute to a diverse and world-leading mental and substance use research program.

Technology, innovation and translation

Poor communication of research findings is a significant barrier to population-level dissemination to facilitate knowledge exchange and improve health outcomes.

Our technology, innovation and translation research aims to address this barrier through a multi-modal translation and community engagement model, with a focus on leveraging responsive and flexible technology targeted to clinicians, practitioners, policymakers and end-users to facilitate knowledge exchange.

The goal of our research is to increase dialogue between end-users, policymakers, researchers, professionals and practitioners.

Key research themes

Browse our research projects and training and resources for clinicians, schools and the general public to find out more about our current and completed research projects under our major research streams and themes.