Meet the Research Team
-
Mark Kohler
Mark’s focus is on understanding how everyday behaviours such as sleep, physical activity, screen-time and spending time in nature impact on cognition, learning and wellbeing throughout development. He has a strong background in psychophysiology, and directs the WiLD Lab - an amazing team of equally passionate people.
-
Jasmine Turner
Jasmine’s research is focused on children’s mental health and wellbeing. Her PhD evaluated a positive psychology program in primary schools. Supported by her background in teaching, she examines what tools schools need to facilitate the improvement of mental health outcomes for students. Jamine leads the research component of the Living Ripples program.
-
Christy Reece
DATA ANALYST & RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Christy has a strong interest in child development and wellbeing, and the wellbeing of caregivers. Her research centers on understanding the state of children’s wellbeing in Australia via national survey data, and the implementation and evaluation of interventions aimed at supporting children and their caregivers.
-
Carly Stagg
Carly is passionate about the mental health and wellbeing of young people. As a clinical psychologist and researcher, Carly uses qualitative research methods to provide rich insights into their experiences. Her work is particularly focused on the wellbeing of rural and remote communities, including the training of psychologists and improving access and equity in psychological service provision.
-
Angela Osborn
Angela is passionate about understanding and promoting wellbeing in childhood. Her research investigates how the growth resilience and a sense of agency may be protective of mental health throughout childhood. She has a particular focus on nature engagement as a means for promoting such attributes.
-
Andrew Morris
Andrew has always been intrigued by how people learn, applying a range of traditional and innovative pedagogies across his teaching career. His current focus is how outdoor environments capture learners attention more readily than indoor settings. He is investigating the role that fractal density of visual images plays in attention restoration.
-
Madison Bellchambers
Madison combines child development and conservation psychology to investigate the impact of children's engagement with nature on wellbeing, and environmental attitudes. Her research focuses on perceptions around nature play and the barriers and facilitators of engagement with the natural environment.
-
Luka Dellavia
PHD CANDIDATE
Luka comes from a outdoor recreation background and has a keen interest in promoting outdoor play for children. Her current focus is how we can improve children's mental health through enjoyable and inclusive activities. Her research investigates the use of school-based nature play interventions to improve students wellbeing, school engagement and resilience.
-
Georgia Breakey
Georgia plays a key role in supporting qualitative research in WiLDlab. Her research focuses on sexual health and sexuality and she is particularly interested in the use of contraception and how relationships influence contraceptive decision making. In her PhD she is using qualitative research methods to explore men’s experiences with reproductive coercion.
-
Scott Coussens
ADJUNCT FELLOW
Scott’s main research focus is on sleep in children, the associated effects on health and cognition and improving modes of treatment. He has a background in sleep recording and physiology, with further interest in physical activity and nature engagement. Scott works across a wide variety of techniques including electroencephalography (EEG) and transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD).
Affiliates & Collaborators
-
Tobias is an NHMRC Dementia Research Leadership Fellow, and Sssociate Profeessor, at Univerity of South Australia. Tobias co-supervises Andrew.
-
Daniel is an organisational psychologist, human factors researcher and lecturer at the Univerity of Adelaide. Daniel co-supervises Andrew
-
Amanda has a background in cognitive neuroscience, with a PhD focused on lifespan development, cognition, and sleep. Amanda was a Research Associate in the lab, before taking on a new position at OurWatch.
-
Amanda is a clinical psychologist and senior lecturer at the Univerity of Adelaide. Amanda's research has an emphasis on predictors of eating, activity, and body image outcomes in children and adults. Amanda is co-supervisor to Madison.
-
Alyssa researches child development and mental health, postnatal mental health and support for new parents, and epidemiology. Alyssa is a senior lecturer at the Univerity of Adelaide, and co-supervisor to Madison.
-
Branka is a professor of psychology at the University of New South Wales. Branka has a particular expertise in visual perception and aesthetic experience. Branka advises on work being run by Andrew.
-
Elaine is professor of psychology and Head of Psychology at the University of Adelaide. She is a prominent researcher on the role of cognitive mechanisms in mental health and the nature of emotions across the lifespan. Elaine is co-supervisor to Luka.
-
Rachel is a lecturer in psychology at the Univerity of Exeter. Rachel is an expert on play, and is examining the links between adventurous play and childhood anxiety. Rachel is co-supervisor to Luka.
-
Scott is Partnerships Manager at Resilient Youth Australia Pty Ltd. He is an experienced educator, program creator and skilled facilitator of play-based programs for students and teachers in schools, including being a lead facilitator on the Living Ripples program.
-
Sally is Programs Manager at Resilient Youth Australia Pty Ltd. She is a skilled facilitator with a passion for empowering students and teachers through her expert delivery of fun and impactful programs in primary and secondary schools across Australia. Sally is a lead facilitator on the Living Ripples program.
-
Justin has trained thousands of educators around the world in designing evidence-informed approaches to wellbeing. He is the former Director of the Institute of Positive Education, is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Melbourne, and board member of the International Positive Education Network. Justin is also facilitator on the Living Ripples program.
-
David is a best-selling author, consultant, former teacher, and expert in designing and implementing system-level approaches to wellbeing and cultural change. He sits on the Dubai Future Council for Education and the Positive Education Schools Association Board. David is a facilitator on the Living Ripples program.
-
Aimee is an experienced educational leader, wellbeing practitioner, and curriculum designer. Whether it’s writing books or designing education products, her mission is to foster the wellbeing of teachers and students through creating and relating. Aimee is a facilitator on the Living Ripples program.
-
Sophie is a Lecturer in Counselling at Monash University, a teacher, and clinical supervisor with 20 years’ experience, working in therapy and educational settings in Australia and overseas. Sophie is a facilitator on the Living Ripples program.
-
Lisa has extensive experience working in government and independent schools as a Student Counsellor and was the inaugural Director of Student Wellbeing at Methodist Ladies' College (Melbourne). She is a Social Worker and Family Therapist committed to using data and student voice to improve wellbeing outcomes for students, utilising evidence based strategies that are tailored to each unique school environment. Lisa is a facilitator on the Living Ripples program.
Partners
-
Peter Wicking, OAM
Peter is co-founder of Resilient Youth Australia Pty Ltd, and a research partner at WiLDlab. He holds an Adjunct Industry position at the University of South Australia, and has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal for services to education and youth mental health.
-
Dr. Andrew Wicking
Andrew is Director of Resilient Youth Australia Pty Ltd. He is a research partner at WiLDlab and holds an Adjunct Research Associate position with the University of South Australia.
Partner Organisations
-
![]()
Resilient Youth Australia
-
![]()
Jane Goodall Institute Australia
-
![]()
Environment Institute
-
![]()
The University of South Australia
-
![]()
The Resilience Project
