Research

OCD Busters

Developed by Professor Lara Farrell and colleagues, OCD Busters is a suite of evidence-based programs supporting children and young people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and specific phobias. Originally focused on OCD, the programs have expanded to include interventions such as POP! (Preschoolers Overcoming Phobias). Led by Professor Farrell, the team continues to evaluate and refine these programs while researching innovative delivery approaches that translate evidence into effective clinical care for young people and their families. Research Lead: Professor Lara Farrell

Stress, Health, & Behaviour Lab

The Stress, Health, & Behaviour Lab develops practical, evidence-based solutions to reduce the impact of stress on health. Our research examines the psychological and behavioural factors that influence stress and wellbeing, while applying behaviour change theories to design interventions that support healthier lives and improve long-term health outcomes. Research Lead: Dr Jacob Keech

Lights Out

Lights Out is a program designed to assist parents with sleep problems in children aged 3-12 years. The program has been developed in face-to-face, videoconference, and online delivery formats and found to be effective in reducing not only sleep problems, but also anxiety and behaviour problems. Lights Out Online provides parents with 4 sessions targeting the most common sleep problems in children, and a trial of this program is currently underway. Research Lead: Professor Caroline Donovan

YourTrack

We co-design and validate our tools with communities, Elders, local health providers, and trusted care professionals, ensuring that children get evidence-based, reliable and valid support close to home. More info about these tools can be found below. Research Leads: Dr Erinn Hawkins & Professor Dianne Shanley

Family Interaction Program

FIP conducts research on parent-child relationships and the effectiveness of parenting programs. Research Lead: Professor Melanie Zimmer-Gembeck

Child Anxiety Disorders Research Program

Our Childhood Anxiety Disorders Research Program assesses and/or treats children with high levels of anxiety using well-researched diagnostic and assessment tools and evidence-based treatments. Research Lead: Professor Allison Waters

MAIC Griffith University Road Safety Research Collaboration

The MAIC-Griffith Road Safety Research Collaboration investigates road safety across areas including motorcycle safety, fleet and workplace driving, heavy vehicles, rideshare services, and motorhome tourism. Using advanced traffic psychology technologies and industry partnerships, the team develops evidence to support safer transport outcomes. Research Lead: Associate Professor Darren Wishart

CLOCKS Lab (Clinical Outcomes of Circadian Clocks and Sleep Laboratory)

CLOCKS Lab focusses on the impact of sleep and circadian rhythms on mental and physical health outcomes. Our work enhances psychological measures of sleep and wellbeing through the addition of psychophysiological and behavioural measures of sleep, including polysomnography, actigraphy, and body temperature. Our current research streams focus on 1) sleep and attention, 2) sleep and headache, and 3) sleep psychologist scope of practice. Research Lead: Dr Daniel Sullivan

Parents under Pressure

The Parents under Pressure (PuP) program supports parents and carers facing multiple challenges through individualised therapeutic family support plans informed by child development, attachment, and emotional regulation theories. The program aims to help children reach their full potential by strengthening family environments and parenting capacity. We also provide practitioner training internationally to support effective delivery of the PuP program. Research Lead: Professor Sharon Dawe

Maximising and Characterising Cognition in Everyday Life (MaxCCEL)

Maximising and Characterising Cognition in Everyday Life (MaxCCEL) lab is a group of neuropsychologists, researchers, and student researchers who are passionate about making a positive difference for the lives of our research participants and individuals in society more broadly. We have extensive experience in designing studies to characterise cognitive functioning, developing interventions to improve cognitive difficulties in daily life, and using implementation science to maximise the translation of research into clinical practice. Research Lead: Associate Professor Kerryn Pike

Visual Cognition & Attention

At the VCA Lab, we investigate how visual attention allows us to efficiently navigate an information-rich world. We examine how attention is deployed, shifted, divided, and disengaged, and how we balance relevant information against salient or distracting information during visual search. Using primarily behavioural methods, we study the fundamental mechanisms that shape attentional selection and explore how these processes influence perception, decision-making, and behaviour. We also investigate how attentional processes vary across individuals, including in individuals with ADHD, anxiety, depression, and autism. Research Lead: Dr Lisa Jefferies

Making Sense of Brain Tumour

Making Sense of Brain Tumour (MAST) program draws upon the lived experiences of over 300 people with primary brain tumour and their families members to inform evidence-based interventions and clinician training. With funding from NHMRC, MRFF, Metro South Health and the Mark Hughes Centre and in partnership with the Peace of Mind Foundation, our interdisciplinary research aims to improve access to effective, responsive and compassionate psychosocial care for people impacted by brain tumour. Research Lead: Professor Tamara Ownsworth

Serious Crime Harm Lab

Our laboratory has a clear mission: Identify those responsible for the most serious criminal harm in our communities and design evidence driven strategies to stop that harm. Research Lead: Professor Mark Kebbell

Health and Psychology Innovations (HaPI) Research Laboratory

At HaPI, we investigate the psychological and social factors that influence health behaviours and support positive, lasting change. Our research combines health psychology and behavioural medicine to develop, implement, and evaluate interventions that improve outcomes for individuals, communities, practice, and policy. Research Lead: Professor Kyra Hamilton

bioSocial Cognitive Theory Lab (bSCT)

The bSCT Lab ("biscuit" 🍪) seeks to improve the assessment and treatment of addictive disorders by researching the complex biosocial cognitive mechanisms involved. These include reward sensitivity, impulsivity, cognition/beliefs, and investigating how they are affected by social influences and neurobiological factors. The scope of our research program stretches from the laboratory to the clinic and we have received over $9.5 million in funding to develop innovations in psychosocial treatment. Research Lead: Associate Professor Matthew Gullo

SPARKLE

SPARKLE (Strengthening Practice with Autistic people through Research, Knowledge translation, and Learning from Lived Experience) brings together researchers, clinicians, students, and lived experience experts to improve practice, services, and policy for Autistic people. Our research focuses on assessment, education, and mental health, translating evidence into practical approaches that support wellbeing, participation, and quality of life across the lifespan. Research Lead: Associate Professor Jessica Paynter

Queensland Night-Time Economy Research Lab

The Queensland Night-Time Economy Research Lab is a translational research group that aims to investigate and promote vibrant and safe night-time entertainment districts in Queensland. We believe that reducing the number and severity of victims of crime can be achieved whilst also promoting a buoyant economy. Our guiding principle is that theory developed from untainted data can achieve these goals. Research Lead: Professor Grant Devilly

The READY Group: Resilience, Exercise, and Action for Daily Health and You

READY bridges clinical health psychology and everyday life to understand and promote healthy lifestyles and wellbeing. Our research focuses on factors such as exercise, sleep, and social connections, particularly for people managing chronic health conditions and mental health challenges. We develop practical tools and interventions that support better health, wellbeing, and quality of life. Research Lead: Associate Professor Nicola Burton