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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences

@psychunimelb.bsky.social
185 followers 140 following 94 posts

News, events and research from the University of Melbourne's School of Psychological Sciences. 🎧 Tune into PsychTalks on your favourite podcast platform. ➡ psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au

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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 3h
How do fathers' health affect future generations' health? Professor Anthony Hannan unpacks epigenetics, our hunter-gatherer brains in a modern world, and the promise of precision medicine. Listen now: omny.fm/shows/psycht...
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
A reminder about this World Mental Health Day event this Thursday! A great panel discussing what mental health care in Australia could look like in 2035. Open to students, staff and the wider community.
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Reposted by Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences
Naomi Baes @naomibaes.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Should we say “autistic person” or “person with autism”? Our new study from @psychunimelb.bsky.social's Concept Creep Lab traces 45 years of person-first and identity-first language - showing that preferences vary by condition, and by whether we’re talking about individuals or groups.
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
What if we've been getting the story wrong? In this PsychTalks episode, Sarah Knight and Natasha Staheli explore why children's distress is often mistaken for misbehaviour, and how parents and educators can better support them. omny.fm/shows/psycht...
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Why do so many drivers say "Sorry mate, I didn't see you"? Professor Kristen Pammer and Dr Angus McKerral discuss the cognitive demands of driving; inattentional blindness and exploring the promises and pitfalls of self-driving cars. omny.fm/shows/psycht...
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
What should the future of mental health care in Australia look like? This World Mental Health Day, Oct 8 6-7pm at Unimelb hear from researchers and sector experts as they discuss reform, access, and opportunities to improve outcomes for all Australians. www.eventbrite.com.au/e/what-shoul...?
eventbrite.com.au
What should mental health care look like in 2035?
This World Mental Health Day, hear an expert panel explore how Australia's mental health system can better support people in the future.
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
How do hormones shape human behaviour, relationships, and sexuality? Join us for the Brotherton Lecture with Professor Lars Penke (University of Göttingen) Sept 29, 6-7pm| Ian Potter Auditorium, Kenneth Myer Building, Parkville www.eventbrite.com.au/e/how-do-hor...
eventbrite.com.au
How do hormones shape sexuality?
Join us for a lecture by Professor Lars Penke exploring how hormones shape human sexuality, relationships, and behaviour.
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
How do children learn to understand and manage their own thinking? The Development and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (iDCN), led by Prof Iroise Dumontheil researchs metacognition during childhood and adolescence. psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/news-and-eve...?
psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au
IDCN: Understanding how children think about thinking
IDCN: Understanding how children think about thinking
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
‘Cycle syncing’ is everywhere online, with claims it can optimise everything from workouts to work. But what does the science say? Dr Lindsie Arthur unpacks the research on hormones, behaviour and performance. 🎧 omny.fm/shows/psycht...
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
As demand for GLP-1 medicines grows, unregulated supply markets are coming under scrutiny. A/Prof Trevor Steward spoke with SBS about the health risks of using these drugs without medical supervision. www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
sbs.com.au
The hidden underbelly of Australia's weight-loss drug boom
Below the surface of Australia's weight-loss drug boom, a market operates outside the prescription system.
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Associate Professor Caitlin Hitchcock has received the 2026 AACBT Mid-career Award. This annual award recognises Caitlin's exceptional contribution as a mid-career AACBT member to Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy through research, teaching and clinical innovation. Congratulations Caitlin!
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Alcohol is a normal part of life for many Australians. But why do some people develop problems with drinking while others don't? Listen to our latest PsychTalks episode with Dr Antoinette Poulton: omny.fm/shows/psycht...
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Grandparents are playing a bigger role than ever in raising young children. MSPS Prof Michelle Jongenelis joined the Crunch&Sip podcast to discuss how grandparents can influence children's eating and physical activity habits, and how families can support healthy behaviours together. #CancerCouncil
crunchandsip.com.au
Crunch Bites Podcast: Bite sized Children's Nutrition Information
Crunch Bites is the newest ‘grab and go’ podcast for parents who want to learn how to feed their family well whilst saving on time, money and stress.
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Dr Rebekah Anderson and PhD candidate Bryanna Leung have secured a National Industry PhD Program grant in partnership with Cancer Council Victoria. The project will explore how short-form video can promote sun-safe behaviours among young people and counter harmful tanning trends on social media.
Portrait of a smiling woman standing outdoors, with green foliage blurred in the background.
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Are sports betting apps designed to keep you hooked? Join us on Thursday 6 August as Professor Elliot Ludvig explores the psychology behind sports betting for our Brotherton Lecture. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/are-sports...
eventbrite.com.au
Are sports betting apps designed to keep you hooked?
Join us for the annual Brotherton Lecture, presented by Professor Elliot Ludvig, exploring the psychology of sports betting
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Last month, MSPS hosted a three-day knowledge exchange program for an Indonesian government delegation. The cross-disciplinary collaboration drew on expertise from across @unimelb.edu.au and focused on mental health system reform. Read more ⤵️ psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/news-and-eve...
psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au
MSPS leads international mental health knowledge exchange for Indonesian Government
MSPS leads international mental health knowledge exchange for Indonesian Government
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
We're hiring! As a Centre Administrator, you'll support the Melbourne Centre for Behaviour Change with essential operational and research administration, along with events and engagement activties. Applications close: 29 July, 11:55pm AEST ⤵️ unimelb.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com/UoM_External...
unimelb.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com
Centre Administrator
Position Number: JR-015530 Role type: Part-time 0.8FTE; Continuing Location: Parkville Faculty: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences School: Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences Sa...
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Why are Australians so hooked on sports betting? In our latest PsychTalks episode, Dr Daniel Bennett unpacks how betting apps keep people engaged, who is most affected by gambling harm, and what can be done to reduce it. Listen now: go.unimelb.edu.au/dyq2
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Can you explain your research in 90 seconds – without any jargon?🎤 Graduate researchers at @MDHS: build your science comms skills and compete in the 2026 No-Bell Prize! Workshop 7 Jul • Video due 26 Jul • Final 1 Oct • $2,500 prizes. Learn more: psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/research/202...
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Last month, Melbourne bars turned into classrooms for the night. Andy Perfors on disinformation. Michelle Jongenelis on harm to young people. Missed it? The podcast’s out: mdhs.unimelb.edu.au/engage/alumn... @perfors.net @unimelb.edu.au @mcbc-unimelb.bsky.social @cogneurohubmsps.bsky.social
Person delivering a talk in a warmly lit bar
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Elgin Prize recipient Jessica Polhill reflects upon her scientist practitioner approach, showing how academic work can shape real clinical practice and support evidence-based care directly with those in the field. psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/news-and-eve...
psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au
Jessica Polhill: Turning research into practice
Jessica Polhill: Turning research into practice
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Talk therapy may not work for some people with PTSD. New research by Andrea Putica, James Agathos, Trevor Steward and Kim Felmingham shows that it may be because their brains work differently after trauma. theconversation.com/talking-abou... www.nature.com/articles/s44...
theconversation.com
Talking about trauma doesn’t always help. Brain scans show one reason why
Therapies aimed at reframing negative thoughts may not work for some people with PTSD. New research shows it may be because their brains work differently after trauma.
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
In his new article for Inside Story, Professor Nick Haslam contends that a massive expansion of the psychology workforce - and the new redesign built on this premise - is deeply problematic and unlikely to improve Australia's mental health. insidestory.org.au/do-we-need-m...
insidestory.org.au
Do we need more psychologists? • Nick Haslam
It depends on how many, and where
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Dr Andrea Putica, a post-doc researcher at the School received the ReWire Hines Award for Early Career Research. She spoke with us about her research, including examining stress in people with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/news-and-eve...
psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au
Andrea Putica: Connecting stress, brain and lived experience
Andrea Putica: Connecting stress, brain and lived experience
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Morgan Galea, double prize winner & Grad Dip rep speaker for 2026, joined the program after roles in behavioural & operational risk sparked a curiosity in human behaviour. He spoke to us about what inspires his research and where he hopes his future career will head. go.unimelb.edu.au/of72
psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au
Morgan Galea: Where behaviour meets real-world decisions
Morgan Galea: Where behaviour meets real-world decisions
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Congratulations to our Awards winners! On 6 May wehosted our annual Awards Night, celebrating the achievements of our staff and students and commemorating the School's 80 Year Anniversary and MDHS' 150 Year Anniversary See full list of winners⬇️ psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/engage/awards
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Everyone's talking about "nervous system overload" but can your nervous system really be overloaded or reset? Learn what Dr Amy Loughma's research actually says about stress and regulation, and better ways to manage the chronic stress of modern life. theconversation.com/what-do-peop...
theconversation.com
What do people mean when they say their nervous system is overloaded or needs a reset?
While we’ve evolved to be able to respond well to immediate threats, our stress-response system is less able deal with the chronic stressors of modern life.
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Prof @idumontheil.bsky.social will be speaking at Intelligence, the Potter Museum's Interdisciplinary Forum for 2026. She'll present “From Counting on Fingers to Shopping Lists – How We Outsource Our Thinking.” When: 9 May, 10am–4pm Register: potter-museum.unimelb.edu.au/whats-on/eve...
potter-museum.unimelb.edu.au
INTELLIGENCE: Interdisciplinary Forum | Potter Museum of Art
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Join us May 11 for the Victorian premiere and panel discussion of Unmasking Influence, a film that explores how commercial interests shape policy and public health, and why this influence must be addressed. Where: Ian Potter Auditorium Register: events.humanitix.com/unmasking-in...
events.humanitix.com
Unmasking Influence: Film Premiere & Panel Discussion
Register on Humanitix - Unmasking Influence: Film Premiere & Panel Discussion. The Dax Centre - Ian Potter Auditorium , Kenneth Myer Building, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3010, Australia. Monday 11...
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Keeping a secret might be harder on your wellbeing than you think. New research by Dr Valentina Bianchi, in a recent article in The Guardian, explains why secrets linger in our minds and how we can manage the potential impacts on our health and relationships. www.theguardian.com/wellness/202...
theguardian.com
Feeling off? Your secrets could be making you stressed
Researcher Valentina Bianchi says holding in information can take a mental toll. Here’s how to manage it
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
This week has brought the community response to issues around athlete mental health to the forefront. @ccwalton.bsky.social's piece, just published in The Conversation, addresses some steps forward. theconversation.com/sports-need-...
theconversation.com
Sports need better game-day mental health protocols to protect athletes – here’s how
Worrying scenes during a recent AFL contest show many sports must do more to respond to mental health issues that unfold during play.
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
“We need to be able to control our attention and use it as a currency. It’s really valuable." Prof Katherine Johnson was featured on the ABC and Today Show to discuss how our attention spans are shrinking and what we can do to get it back. Read the ABC article: www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04...
abc.net.au
Your brain explained: Why it's getting harder to pay attention
If it feels harder to concentrate than it used to, it's not just you. Scientists say your brain is reacting exactly as it was designed to — but in a very different world.
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
We like to think we’re fair. But what if our minds and our machines aren't? In this PsychTalks bonus episode, hosts Nick and Cassie are joined by Harvard's Mahzarin Banaji discuss implicit bias, AI, and what responsibility for fairness really means. omny.fm/shows/psycht...
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
t’s time to get curious because Raising the Bar is coming back to Melbourne with a special health edition. On 13 May, MDHS is hosting 20 talks across 10 CBD venues in one night, featuring Prof Michelle Jongenelis and Prof Andy Perfors. www.rtbevent.com/melb-2026
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Looking for your next read? In his latest book reviews, Prof Nick Haslam guides us through two books that reward readers who enjoy complexity and uncertainty. The Life You Want by Adam Phillips insidestory.org.au/get-a-life/ Michael Pollan’s A World Appears theconversation.com/what-is-cons...
theconversation.com
What is consciousness? Michael Pollan spent 4 years looking for the answer
In A World Appears, Michael Pollan wonders if the search for consciousness might be a socially (and scientifically) acceptable proxy for the search for the soul.
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
The QS subject rankings for 2026 have shown MSPS has improved on last year’s results, moving up a spot to be #20 in the world and remaining #1 in Australia. Unimelb is the top ranked Australian university in Life Sciences and Medicine, and #14 in the world. www.topuniversities.com/university-s...
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Reposted by Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences
Dan Feuerriegel @danfeuerriegel.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
New article in The Conversation @theconversation.com by Lauren Fong about her recent work on preference-driven decisions! Featuring some tough choices between baked goods. (Journal article quoted below) theconversation.com/are-we-ever-... @psychunimelb.bsky.social @paulmgarrett.bsky.social
theconversation.com
Are we ever truly free to make decisions? New study tracks a universal process in the brain
Your brain is constantly gathering evidence for making decisions – even when there’s only one option to pick from.
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Reposted by Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences
Dan Feuerriegel @danfeuerriegel.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Our paper on double decisions in working memory tasks is now published in Computational Brain and Behaviour! When you give people a second chance, it reveals a lot about the contents of their memory. Led by @paulmgarrett.bsky.social @psychunimelb.bsky.social rdcu.be/e8SLX
rdcu.be
Double-decision Response Time Models of Recall and Recognition Support Resource Accounts of Visual Working Memory
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
What happens if we lose our faith in facts? Profr Katherine Johnson was featured in ABC's The Matter of Facts, a show that investigates how our digital ecosystem changes what we believe, how we behave and who we vote for. Watch it here: iview.abc.net.au/show/matter-...
iview.abc.net.au
The Matter Of Facts
Hamish Macdonald wants to know what happens if we lose our faith in facts. We are all navigating a digital ecosystem where truth and lies can be indistinguishable, and where information is created - a...
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
According to Dr Valentina Bianchi, most people have nine secrets. This can be a burden, but is it better to share them or just learn how to live with them? Listen as she discusses the secrets of keeping secrets on Radio New Zealand: www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
rnz.co.nz
The secret to keeping secrets
Secrets can be a burden - especially when they flash back into our minds when we least expect.
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
"Menopause can be really empowering and an awesome opportunity for a relationship reset." Dr Lydia Brown was featured in a Herald Sun article by Ruby Kraner-Tucci about how Australian women are rewriting the rules of midlife sexuality. Read it here: www.heraldsun.com.au/health/condi...
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Irresponsible reporting of mental illness fuels stigma and fear. ABC Big Ideas has released our World Mental Health Day panel with MISRA and MSPGH, hosted by Dr Chris Groot and featuring Dr Anna Ross, Tim Heffernan and Gayle McNaught Listen here: www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
abc.net.au
Mental illness —Taking stigma out of media reporting - ABC listen
When a violent crime makes the news, mental illness is often part of the story. But how that story is told, the words chosen, the details included, the connections drawn, has consequences that ripple ...
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
A huge congratulations to @simine.com!!
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Happy World Sleep Day! Today MSPS researchers Professor Amy Jordan and Dr Joanne Avraam joined Leanne Ngo and others from the Health Promotion unit to quiz students, answer questions and promote good sleep.
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
❗ Venue change for Blindspot with Prof Mahzarin Banaji ❗ Due to technical issues, tonight's Miegunyah Lecture has moved to the Carrillo Gantner Theatre, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, 761 Swanston St. We'll also be starting slightly later - please be seated by 6.15pm. 📍 maps.app.goo.gl/iST38CE9446R...
maps.app.goo.gl
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
There's just a week remaining until the Miegunyah Lecture with Prof Mahzarin Banaji as she presents "Blindspot: Hidden Biases in Humans and Machines" When: Wednesday, 11 March, 6-7.30pm Where: Public Lecture Theatre, Old Arts, Parkville Register here: go.unimelb.edu.au/str2
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
“Butterflies in the stomach” is a cute description for one part of the fight-or-flight response. But what exactly are these butterflies? Why can we feel them in our stomach? And is there anything we can do about them? Read Dr Amy Loughman's article: go.unimelb.edu.au/akr2
theconversation.com
Why do I get ‘butterflies in my stomach’?
Prepping for a job interview or giving a speech at your best mate’s wedding? Here’s why your tummy’s a-flutter.
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
In this bonus episode of PsychTalks, Cassie Hayward and Nick Haslam welcome one of the world’s most influential developmental psychologists, Professor Alison Gopnik for an extended conversation on how our minds grow and change over the lifespan. Listen here: go.unimelb.edu.au/7axe
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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences @psychunimelb.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Tonight, Prof Pete Koval hosts the launch of Behind the Screens by Dr Niraj Lal, host of ABC Kid's Imagine This podcast. In Behind the Screens, Lal explores one of the most life-changing inventions in history, the internet! Learn more and book here: www.readings.com.au/events/behin...
readings.com.au
Behind the Screens by Dr Niraj Lal
We are delighted to have University of Melbourne Professor Peter Koval host the launch of Niraj Lal's new book, Behind the Screens. Niraj Lal is a Melbourne author and the host of ABC Kid’s Imagine ...
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Reposted by Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences
Andrew Perfors @perfors.net · 22/01/2026
I just created a series of seven deep-dive videos about AI, which I've posted to youtube and now here. 😊 Targeted to laypeople, they explore how LLMs work, what they can do, and what impacts they have on learning, well-being, disinformation, the workplace, the economy, and the environment.
youtube.com
Part 1: How do LLMs work?
YouTube video by Andrew Perfors
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