Jessica Paterson

Associate Professor Jessica Paterson is a Clinical Psychologist and academic at Flinders University, affiliated with the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work and the Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing. She serves as Director of the Sleep and Psychology Laboratory and Course Coordinator for the Master of Psychology (Professional) program.

Education:

• B. Psych (Honors), University of South Australia
• M. Psych (Clinical), University of South Australia
• Ph.D., Centre for Sleep Research, University of South Australia (2010)

Her research focuses on the intersection of sleep, fatigue, trauma, and mental health, with a specialization in populations like adolescents, young shiftworkers, and emergency service personnel. She has contributed to trauma-informed care, sleep disorder diagnostics, and health promotion strategies.

Recent publications highlight her work on qualitative studies of sleep health interventions, participatory design approaches for shiftworkers, and secondary traumatic stress in paramedics' partners. These reflect her commitment to applied research addressing real-world mental health and occupational challenges.

Scientific Awards:

• Research Leader in Sleep (2019)
• Broomhall-Young Scholarship (2016)
• Maurice de Rohan International Scholar (2009)
• World Federation of Sleep Research Merit Award (2007)

As a PsyBA-approved supervisor, she mentors provisional psychologists and clinical registrars. Her collaborations span healthcare, emergency services, and institutions like Cornell University and CQUniversity. She also contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through mental health research initiatives.