Research programmes in which new projects are available

The Discipline of Psychiatry has a number of research programmes, and welcomes new PhD, Masters and Honours students.  These are set out below under the principal academic who directs each programme and who would be available to supervise new student projects.  We have outlined the major direction of each programme and given examples of supervised projects.

The Discipline recruits graduate students from a range of academic backgrounds, including medicine, psychology, nursing, anthropology, and the wider humanities, including linguistics.  We co-supervise with members of other Disciplines across the University of Adelaide and have strong links with other universities throughout Australia. 

As a branch of medicine, psychiatry is not only a research discipline but also a clinical discipline.  Through our close relationship with the South Australian Mental Health Services we are actively engaged in clinical research.

If you find any of the research projects stimulating, and in keeping with the research that you would like to develop, please contact either:
Associate Professor Anna Chur-Hansen, (anna.churhansen@adelaide.edu.au), ph. 8222 5785 (direct line), 8222 5141 (office);
Professor Helen Winefield (helen.winefield@adelaide.edu.au), ph. 8303 3172 (direct line), 8303 5693 (office)

Anna Chur-Hansen: Medical education research and health psychology.
Associate Professor Chur-Hansen conducts research into teaching and learning in medicine and the health professions more broadly.  A psychologist, Dr Chur-Hansen also does research in the fields of clinical and health psychology.
Current and recent projects include:

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      1. A study of diabetes management through ‘life coaching’ techniques carried out by a registered psychologist.
      2. A study by a medical undergraduate of farmers in South Australia looking at the psychological impact of destroying livestock after natural disasters.
      3. A qualitative study of primary school children’s attitudes toward growing their own food conducted by a Master’s of Gastronomy student.
      4. Survey research into preferences for male or female psychotherapists undertaken by a psychology graduate.
      5. A qualitative study of one-to-one supervision in postgraduate specialty training in medicine.

Jonathan Crichton: Language and health.
Dr Crichton has a background in linguistics and supervises research in which the methodology draws on discourse analysis.  He is a Research Fellow in Psychiatry with an interest in the role of language in professional interactions within medical, health and educational settings.
Current and recent projects include:

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      1. Research into auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia looking at the ‘language of voices,’ carried out by a graduate in linguistics who is undertaking a PhD with the Discipline of Psychiatry.
      2. A study of therapeutic processes in cognitive behavioural psychotherapy using conversational analysis conducted by a psychiatrist, also undertaking a PhD in Psychiatry.
      3. An investigation into the language used in clinical interviews involving people diagnosed with thought disorder.
      4. Research into how the identities of people living with dementia are maintained through the language used in their support networks.
      5. An investigation into the intercultural expertise developed by health professionals for whom English is an additional language.

Cherrie Galletly: Cognitive neuroscience.
Associate Professor Galletly has a background in both clinical psychiatry and cognitive neurosciences.  Her doctoral research examined the role of working memory in schizophrenia and posttraumatic stress disorder.  Dr Galletly has developed a diverse programme of research into first episode psychosis, schizophrenia, antipsychotic medication, and exposure to lead in childhood, with a unifying focus on cognitive dysfunction.
Current and recent projects include:

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      1. A study of verbal versus nonverbal learning strategies in schizophrenia by a Masters student in psychology.
      2. An investigation of the associations between cognitive deficits and social and occupational outcomes in schizophrenia, carried out by a Masters student in psychology.
      3. A comparison of computer-delivered and clinician-delivered neuropsychological testing in schizophrenia, carried out by a psychology Honours student.
      4. Research into the relationship between P300 Event Related Potential responses to trauma-neutral stimuli, and hippocampal volume asymmetry in combat-related PTSD, carried out by a Bachelor of Medical Science student
      5. A study of serum prolactin and testosterone levels and sexual dysfunction in men receiving typical depot antipsychotic medications, carried out by a physiology student on a research scholarship.

Jon Jureidini: Philosophy and child psychiatry
Associate Professor Jureidini is Head of the Department of Psychological Medicine at the Women's and Children's Hospital and Chair of Healthy Skepticism, an organisation devoted to countering misleading drug promotion.   He holds a doctorate in philosophy, enabling him to bring a critical perspective to research in mental health.
Current and recent projects include:

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      1. Clinical studies of the impact of immigration detention on mental health.
      2. Critical appraisals of psychotropic prescribing practices for children.
      3. A critique of psychiatric classification.
      4. Investigations into the effectiveness of rehabilitation of adolescents with unexplained physical symptoms.

Geoff Schrader: Depression and comorbidity
Dr. Schrader has developed a programme of research into the association between depression and cardiovascular disease.  He runs a major study of the impact of depression on cardiac failure in collaboration with the University of Queensland. 
Current and recent projects include:

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      1. Investigations into the effect of intervention on outcome in depression occurring in association with angina.
      2. Studies of the effectiveness of community based treatment programmes such as case management and maintenance medication.
      3. Research into the neurophysiology of emotion.

Helen Winefield: Health psychology
Professor Winefield is a clinical and research psychologist who has established an international reputation in the field of occupational stress and its implications for health and health care, and integrated primary mental health care.
Current and recent projects include:

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      1. Psychosocial support in breast cancer, including studies of group support and support through the internet.
      2. A programme of research into family care giving in chronic illness & disability (including in chronic pain, schizophrenia, and cystic fibrosis).
      3. Studies of help-giving practices and social support provided by lay and professional caregivers.
      4. Investigations into work stress in health care professionals, its management and prevention.
      5. Psychological treatments for high prevalence psychological disorders (including anxiety & depression) in general practice settings.