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Research spotlight

  • $830k in research funding and grants since 2017
  • 10+ peer reviewed papers published since 2017

Cyberpsychology Research Group

Investigating the impact of technology on human behaviour
We are dedicated to working with industry partners, NGO's and government organisations on digital solutions that aim to positively impact health outcomes, as well as expanding education and training in the field of cyberpsychology and digital health.

About us

As an emerging field of research within applied psychology, the Cyberpsychology Research Group (CRG) at The University of Sydney was established in 2017 as Australia’s first formal research team to investigate the impact of consumer technologies (such as smartphones, video games, social networking, wearable technology, VR and AI) on human behaviour.

We also work with industry partners to establish an evidence-base for digital solutions that aim to positively impact health outcomes.

The Cyberpsychology Research Group

An archive of selected CRG television and radio appearances can be found on our YouTube channel.

Our research

Our specific research looks at individual attitudes, cognition and behavioural outcomes arising from the use of personal and organisational digital technology. Research areas of focus include:

  • e-mental health
  • online counselling
  • social media
  • internet addiction
  • cyberbullying
  • artificial intelligence
  • mobile applications and wearable technology
  • virtual reality
  • games and gamification for health.
  • My Circle: Giving young people choice, and control, of their mental health support. Partnership with Yourtown; Campbell, A., Ridout, B., Amon, K., & Forsyth, R. (2020-2022).
  • Impact of Social Media on Myanmar Youth. Partnership with Save The Children Myanmar; Ridout, B., Amon, K., & Campbell, A. (2019).
  • Kids Helpline Circles: Evidence based clinical trial of group counselling in a purpose built social network for managing chronic mental illness in youth; Campbell, A., & Ridout, B. (ongoing).
  • Instagram and Well-being: Multi-project research investigating the relationships between motivation, online behaviours, Instagram context, and social support and well-being. A second project explores factors affecting the use of Instagram for help-seeking for mental health concerns and for promoting psychological well-being; Nguyen, M., & Amon, K. (ongoing).
  • Virtual Reality stress reduction breaks – determining best practice; Naylor, M. (2017–2021).
  • 'Screenagers' and problematic technology use: Exploring the role that peers, parents and teachers play in promoting healthy digital habits; Brewer, J. (2017–2021).
  • Digital health in melanoma posttreatment care in rural and remote Australia; Rollin, A. (2018-2021).

  • My Circle: Giving young people choice, and control, of their mental health support. Partnership with Yourtown; Campbell, A., Ridout, B.; Bupa Health Foundation, 2020-2022.
  • Impact of Social Media on Myanmar Youth. Ridout, B., & Campbell, A.; Save The Children, 2019.
  • KHL Circles: Efficacy trial of Kids Helpline Circles - A secure online social network for young people; Campbell, A. & Ridout, B.; Yourtown, 2016–2019.
  • Experiences of the Family Law Court Circuit for Children who use social network support for their journey; Campbell, A. & Ridout, B.; Family Law Society, 2016.
  • Evaluation of SANE Australia Thriving Communities project; Goggin G., Smith-Merry, J., Campbell, A., Hutchinson, J., Ridout, B., McKenzie, K., Werder, O. & Curtis, R.; National Mental Health Commission, 2016–2017.
  • Virtual World Health Interview training for Health Sciences professionals; Campbell, A.; Office of Learning and Teaching, 2011–2012.

  • Campbell, A., Ridout, B., Amon, K., Collyer, B., & Dalgleish, J. (2019). A customized social network platform (Kids Helpline Circles) for delivering group counseling to young people experiencing family discord that impacts their well-being: Exploratory study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(12), e16176.
  • Ridout, B., McKay, M., Amon, K., & Campbell, A. (2019). Impact of social media on youth living in conflict-affected regions of Myanmar. London, UK: The University of Sydney & Save The Children International.
  • Ridout, B. (2019). Drinking norms and alcohol identities in the context of social media interactions among university students: An overview of relevant literature. In D. Conroy & F. Measham (Eds.), Young adult drinking styles: Current perspectives on research, policy and practice (pp. 115-132). London, UK: Palgrave MacMillan.
  • Naylor, M., Morrison, B., Ridout, B., & Campbell, A. (2019). Augmented experiences: Investigating the feasibility of virtual reality as part of a workplace wellbeing intervention. Interacting with Computers, iwz033.
  • Kelson, J., Rollin, A., Ridout, B., & Campbell, A. (2019). Internet-delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for anxiety treatment: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(1), e12530
  • Ridout, B., & Campbell, A. (2018). The use of social networking sites in mental health interventions for young people: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 20(12), 1-11.
  • Rollin, A., Ridout, B., & Campbell, A. (2018). Digital health in melanoma posttreatment care in rural and remote Australia: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 29(9), e11547 p.1-e11547 p.10.
  • Gestos, M., Smith-Merry, J., & Campbell, A. (2018). Representation of females in video games: A systematic review of the literature in consideration of adult female wellbeing. Cyberpsychology, Behaviour and Social Networking, 21(9), 535-541.
  • Fullwood, C., Chadwick, D., Keep, M., Attrill-Smith, A., Asbury, T., & Kirwan, G. (2019). Lurking towards empowerment: Explaining propensity to engage with online health support groups and its association with positive outcomes. Computers in Human Behavior, 90, 131-140.
  • Brunner, M., McGregor, D., Keep, M., Janssen, A., Spallek, H., Quinn, D., Jones, A., Tseris, E., Yeung, W., Togher, L., Shaw, T., et al (2018). An eHealth capabilities framework for graduates and health professionals: Mixed-methods study. JMIR Research Protocols, 20(5), e10229.
  • Campbell, A., Ridout, B., Linden, M., Collyer, B., & Dalgleish, J. (2018). A preliminary understanding of search words used by children, teenagers and young adults in seeking information about depression and anxiety online. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 12, 1-4.
  • Campbell, A., Ridout, B., Amon, K., Collyer, B., & Dalgleish, J. (2018). Kids Helpline Circles: Findings from participant action research in the development of a secure national mental health social network. Paper presented at the Cyberpsychology, Cybertherapy & Social Networking Conference, Gatineau, Canada.
  • Cochrane, K., Loke, L., de Bérigny, C., & Campbell, A. (2018). Sounds in the moment: designing an interactive EEG nature soundscape for novice mindfulness meditators. Proceedings of the 30th Australian Conference on Computer-Human Interaction, Pages 298-302.

Training

We are dedicated to training in the field of cyberpsychology and e-Health, offering a range of training opportunities for graduate and post-doctoral researchers.

If you are interested in the study of cyberpsychology and eHealth, our team teaches the following units for undergraduate students to enrol in as electives (pending availability of your enrolled degree course). We welcome existing University of Sydney undergraduate students as well as international exchange, or study abroad students:

BACH 3146 – Cyberpsychology & eHealth

Our team members regularly supervise small research projects for fourth year (honours year) students at The University of Sydney.

If you are interested in enrolling in an Honours year and want to complete a small research project in cyberpsychology or eHealth, please contact our team members directly to discuss your project ideas and to determine if we can accommodate supervising you.

Visit the profiles of our research leaders in the 'our people' section of this page to review our supervisor research areas and to contact a potential supervisor for your HDR program.

If you are interested in a career in Cyberpsychology or eHealth, why not consider undertaking a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) as a Masters or PhD candidate in a specific interest area?

Our team have supervised many Masters and PhD students to graduation in the areas of e-Mental Health, Serious Games, Online Counselling, Social Networking for Health and Behaviour change, to name but a few broad areas valued by industry, Government and research sectors.

If you are considering enrolling in a HDR program, please first speak with a potential supervisor about your proposed project and career goals.

Visit the profiles of our research leaders in the 'our people' section of this page to review our supervisor research areas and to contact a potential supervisor for your HDR program.

The CRG welcomes inquiries from potential post-doctoral researchers seeking Early Career Research (ECR) experience within our team. Please contact Associate Professor Andrew Campbell to discuss existing or future opportunities.

 

In the media

Cyberpsychology Research Group (CRG) team members are often interviewed in the national and international media and sourced for speaking events. Below is a selection of our more topical media appearances and press releases.

An archive of selected CRG television and radio appearances can be found on the Sydney Cyberpsychology Research Group YouTube channel.

For more real-time updates, follow us on Twitter @Cyberpsych_Syd

Our people

  • Ms Jocelyn Brewer, Masters by Research Candidate
  • Mr Matthew Naylor, PhD Candidate
  • Ms Audrey Rollin, PhD Candidate
  • Ms Sophie Brassel, PhD Candidate
  • Mr Trent Hammond, PhD Candidate
  • Ms Emma van der Schyff, PhD Candidate
  • Ms Ash King, PhD Candidate

The Cyberpsychology Research Group (CRG) regularly collaborates research projects with industry partners, education institutes, NGOs and Government. Below are some of our previous and existing partners in research:

  • Kids Helpline
  • Save the Children
  • BUPA Health Foundation
  • Wellbeing Health and Youth – NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Adolescent Health
  • Office for Learning and Teaching
  • Future Generation Investment Company
  • Family Court of Australia
  • The Children’s Hospital at Westmead
  • Sane Australia
  • Knox Grammar School

Research leader

Headshot of Dr Andew Campbell
Associate Professor Andrew Campbell
View academic profile

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