معرفی
Brad Ridout is the IDCARE Associate Professor of Cyberpsychology within the School of Medical Sciences at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Medicine and Health. He serves as Deputy Chair and co-founder of the Cyberpsychology Research Group and is affiliated with the Biomedical Informatics and Digital Health department. His work bridges clinical psychology with digital innovation to address mental health challenges, particularly among young people.
- PhD in Cyberpsychology
- BSc Psychology (Honors)
- Graduate Diploma in Psychology
- Board-Approved Supervisor (BPD)
- Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS)
Dr. Ridout's research focuses on the intersection of digital technology and mental health, with particular emphasis on cyberpsychology applications for youth. His work explores how social media, virtual reality, and other digital health technologies can be leveraged to develop evidence-based mental health treatments. He has pioneered research on the psychology of deception related to cyber-scams and has developed interventions to support victims. His investigations span multiple contexts including clinical settings, conflict-affected regions, and everyday digital environments where young people interact.
His publication record demonstrates a strong trajectory in digital mental health research, with recent work focusing on secure peer-to-peer support platforms, virtual reality applications for distress management, and cross-cultural studies of social media impact. The research shows increasing sophistication in methodology and scope, moving from foundational studies on social media and alcohol use to comprehensive digital interventions addressing complex mental health challenges across diverse populations.
- PBA Registered Psychologist
- Recipient of $1 million Bupa Health Foundation grant for "My Circle" project
Dr. Ridout actively supervises higher degree research students, including Stephanie who is working on "Scam Compliance and Grooming: A Taxonomy of Early Warning Signs." His grant history includes significant funding from industry partners including Yourtown (2016, 2020) for Kids Helpline Circles research. He has successfully translated research into practical applications, most notably the development of "My Circle," the world's first secure and anonymous social media platform for youth mental health support.
As co-founder and Deputy Chair of the Cyberpsychology Research Group, Dr. Ridout leads a multidisciplinary team exploring innovative approaches to digital mental health. The group maintains the Cyberpsychology Node within the Digital Health & Informatics Network, fostering collaboration across clinical, technological, and research domains. Current initiatives focus on expanding evidence-based practices for virtual reality interventions and developing culturally appropriate digital mental health resources for vulnerable populations.
