Denise Dillon

Dr. Denise Dillon serves as Acting Dean of Research and Associate Dean of Research Education at the Singapore campus of James Cook University (JCU Singapore). She chairs the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and previously led the Academic Group for Psychology, Arts, and Education for nearly a decade. Her roles include overseeing research strategy, governance, and collaborations, alongside promoting higher degree research education.

Dr. Dillon holds a PhD from James Cook University (2008), a Graduate Certificate in Education (2005), and a dual degree in Psychology (Honors) and English Literature (2003). Her research focuses on biophilia, nature connectedness, and eco-anxiety, with a particular interest in urban green spaces and their psychological impacts. She is a certified Forest Therapy Guide and has supervised over 100 undergraduate and a dozen graduate research students.

Her teaching spans environmental psychology, statistics, research methods, and effective writing. Recent publications explore themes like virtual reality’s role in attention restoration, social media’s influence on prosocial behavior, and the psychological benefits of nature immersion. She actively contributes to interdisciplinary research, including collaborations on pandemic preparedness and inclusive language practices.

Dr. Dillon is a full member of the Singapore Psychological Society, Editor-in-Chief of the Singapore Psychologist magazine, and affiliated with the International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP). She holds certifications in research management (ARMS) and forest therapy (ANFT).