David Austin

Professor David Austin is a distinguished academic and clinical psychologist at Deakin University, serving as Associate Dean (International) in the Faculty of Health. He is affiliated with the Office of the Executive Dean Health and is a registered psychologist with extensive clinical expertise in anxiety, mood disorders, and autism spectrum disorders. His research is nationally and internationally recognized, particularly in the development and evaluation of online psychological treatments.

Education:

• Doctor of Psychology, Monash University
• Graduate Diploma of Applied Science, University of Ballarat
• Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies, Deakin University
• Bachelor of Business (Marketing), Monash University
• GCHE (Exempt), Deakin University

Research Interests:
Prof. Austin is renowned for pioneering Australia’s first federally funded online psychological service, www.anxietyonline.org.au. His research focuses on:

• Traumatic stress in parents of children with disabilities
• Memory and future thinking in depression
• Online interventions for psychological disorders
• E-mental health delivery systems

He leads a research group investigating clinical traumatic stress and has been a Chief Investigator on numerous NHMRC, ARC, and industry-funded projects.

Recent Research Trends:
His recent publications emphasize digital mental health, parental PTSD in autism, memory specificity training for depression, and online mindfulness for cancer survivors. His work integrates clinical innovation with rigorous empirical evaluation, contributing significantly to e-therapy and caregiver mental health.

Scientific Awards:

• Vice-Chancellors Award for Community Engagement (2010) – Whiz Kid Games
• Premiers Design Award (2010) – WhizKid Games
• Premiers Recognition Mark (2010) – WhizKid Games
• Best Online Game, Melbourne Advertising & Design Club (2010)
• Web Marketing Association Awards in Education and Health Care (2010)

Supervision and Grants:
Prof. Austin supervises multiple PhD and Master’s students and has secured substantial funding from NHMRC, ARC, Rotary, beyond blue, and government bodies. His grants include projects on online mindfulness for cancer survivors, memory training for depression, and digital interventions for psychosis and diabetes.

Labs and Teams:
He leads a research group focused on traumatic stress in parents of children with disabilities and collaborates with national and international networks in e-mental health, including the International Society for Research into Internet Interventions and OPeN Network.