Professor Ben Colagiuri will become the next Academic Co-Director of the Brain and Mind Centre, the University of Sydney’s flagship centre for the research and treatment of conditions that affect child development, youth mental health and brain ageing.
Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Julie Cairney congratulated Professor Colagiuri on his appointment.
“The Brain and Mind Centre is an exemplar of the University’s mission to do excellent research that contributes to the common good,” said Professor Cairney.
“Ben’s work to uncover the mechanisms of the placebo and nocebo effects, and how they affect our sleep, pain and overall wellbeing, fit perfectly with the Brain and Mind Centre’s goal of combining cutting-edge science with clinical services to improve patient outcomes.”
Professor Colagiuri will commence as Co-Director in February 2026. The role has been led by Professor Kathryn Refshauge OAM since April 2024 in conjunction with Professor Ian Hickie AO.
“We thank Kathy for her passion, leadership and the invaluable expertise she has shared while at the helm of the Brain and Mind Centre,” said Professor Katherine Belov AO FAA FRSN, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Global and Research Engagement.
“The Brain and Mind Centre continues to flourish, driven by its distinctive integration of cutting-edge multidisciplinary research in brain and mind sciences, alongside patient care delivered through nine public clinics and three clinical service providers.
“Ben brings a wealth of experience to the role as a research leader in psychological sciences and as Head of School at the University’s School of Psychology. We look forward to him joining the team early next year to co-lead the BMC together with Professor Ian Hickie.”
Professor Colagiuri has been Head of the School of Psychology in the Faculty of Science since 2023, which is where he received his PhD back in 2010.
He has been awarded more than $7 million in competitive research funding, including multiple Australian Research Council Discovery Grants, published over 100 scientific papers, and received national and international recognition for his research, including the International Association for the Study of Pain Patrick D Wall Young Investigator Prize 2024, Australian Psychological Society Media Award for Public Engagement 2019 and the International Society for Behavioural Medicine Early Career Award 2016.
His current research is exploring how knowledge about placebo and nocebo effects could be used ethically to improve patient outcomes.