Emily Freeman

Dr. Emily Freeman is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle's School of Psychological Sciences, specializing in child development with a unique focus on father-child play dynamics and cognitive psychology. Her career spans postdoctoral work at Ohio State University and the University of Adelaide, with current affiliations to the Fathers and Families Research Program at the Family Action Centre.

• PhD in Cognitive Psychology (University of Newcastle)
• Expertise in working memory research and behavioral interventions
• Developed the Working Memory Power Test for Children and DadPlay intervention

Her research reveals how rough-and-tumble play (RTP) between fathers and children enhances physical development, nonverbal communication, and emotional resilience through negotiated boundaries, body language interpretation, and shared emotional experiences. Current projects examine RTP's role in reducing behavioral problems and improving prosocial behavior in preschool children.

Recent publications demonstrate RTP's correlation with improved working memory and injury risk reduction through physical limit learning. She collaborates with international teams across Australia, Canada, the US, and UK, maintaining over 40 conference papers and 25 journal articles.

• 2025: 15-Year Service Award
• 2021: Excellence in Teaching Innovation
• 2019: Best Honours Supervision Practice

Dr. Freeman supervises 12 active research projects including PhD studies on neurodiverse family structures, perinatal trauma interventions, and university student wellness. She has completed 15 doctoral and master's supervisions focusing on stress effects, EMDR protocols, and autism-specific parenting programs.