Catherine Haslam

Professor Catherine Haslam is a prominent academic at the University of Queensland's School of Psychology within the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. She serves as Centre Director of the Social Identity and Groups Network (SIGN) Research Centre and holds affiliate positions with multiple research centers including the Centre for Business and Economics of Health, Centre for Hearing Research (CHEAR), and Centre for Health Outcomes, Innovation and Clinical Education (CHOICE).

Her research focuses on social identity processes in health contexts, particularly examining how identity changes affect cognitive integrity, mental health, and wellbeing during life transitions. She has developed the evidence-based 'Groups 4 Health' intervention to address social isolation through social identity management. Her work spans diverse populations including older adults, neurological patients (acquired brain injury, dementia), veterans, athletes, and individuals with mental health conditions.

Her 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate strong focus on social identity applications across contexts - construction workers' mental health, social anxiety treatment, elite sport transitions, and memory research across the lifespan. The work consistently applies the Social Identity Model of Identity Change (SIMIC) framework to develop practical interventions.

Professor Haslam actively supervises doctoral students across multiple projects examining identity change in retirement, sport transitions, trauma recovery, and workplace contexts. Her current supervision includes both principal and associate advisory roles across diverse psychological research areas.

She leads significant research programs including 'Active Choices for Springfield' (veteran wellbeing), 'Thwarted Identity' (ARC Discovery Project), and hearing loss initiatives. Her funding history shows sustained success with ARC, NHMRC, and industry partners since 2014.

Professor Haslam directs the SIGN Research Centre which develops and tests social identity interventions for various populations. Her 'Groups 4 Health' framework has been adapted for multiple contexts including veterans, athletes, and community settings, demonstrating the versatility of her social identity approach to health challenges.