Elizabeth Stratton

Dr. Elizabeth Stratton is a Research Fellow at the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Medicine and Health, affiliated with the Central Clinical School and the Brain and Mind Centre. She is also a member of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course (Life Course Centre). Her work spans over a decade in mental health sector management roles in Australia, transitioning into academic research focused on improving workplace mental health support and fostering inclusive environments for neurodiverse individuals and those with disabilities.

She completed her PhD at the University of Sydney, where she developed and evaluated the online decision aid tool (READY?) to assist employees in disclosing mental health conditions. This foundational work forms the basis of her current research, which emphasizes practical solutions derived from participatory design principles.

Elizabeth’s research interests include workplace mental health interventions, digital tools like eHealth and mHealth, decision-making around mental health disclosure, and addressing stigma and barriers faced by neurodiverse employees (e.g., autism) or those with disabilities. She employs mixed methods research, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), qualitative studies, and implementation science to develop user-centric solutions. Her work also explores participatory design methodologies and their role in creating accessible mental health resources for diverse workplaces.

Her recent publications (2020–2024) highlight trends in evaluating digital mental health tools, including systematic reviews of mHealth apps for sleep disturbances and workplace interventions. She has also investigated mental health disclosure frameworks in male-dominated industries and the vocational challenges faced by autistic employees. Studies on ketamine treatments, yoga in healthcare settings, and postpartum mental health during the pandemic demonstrate her interdisciplinary approach to improving mental health outcomes across various populations.

Elizabeth has received notable recognition for her contributions, including:

• 2024 – ARC Centre of Excellence Knowledge Transfer Innovation Award
• 2022 – Australian Human Resources Award for Best Workplace Diversity & Inclusion Program
• 2022 and 2024 – ARC Early Career Researcher Capacity Building Award
• 2018 – Excellence and Impact Award from the Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney
• 2016–2019 – Australian Postgraduate Award (Research Higher Degree Scholarship)

Elizabeth has secured substantial grants, including $100,000 from the Moyira Elizabeth Vine and Tim Haire Endowment Fund (2024), $225,000 for evaluating the LeapForward App (2021), and $85,000 for adapting the READY Decision Aid Tool (2020). She collaborates with SafeWork Australia, the Digital Health CRC, and the NSW Government to translate research into actionable workplace policies. She has no listed advisees or students.

Elizabeth’s affiliations include the Brain and Mind Centre and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course. She leads multidisciplinary teams to advance neurodiversity and mental health initiatives, ensuring solutions are evidence-based and stakeholder-informed.