Emily Macleod

Dr. Emily Macleod is a Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist at the Centre for Mental Health Research within the School of Medicine and Psychology at the Australian National University. She holds qualifications including a BA (Psychology Honors), PhD, and Diploma in Clinical Psychology. Her work focuses on the intersection of climate-related disasters and child mental health.

Dr. Macleod's research interests center on mental health and resilience in climate-related disaster contexts, prevention and early intervention for children's mental health, Psychological First Aid in Schools for critical incidents, and supporting children and families in disasters. She specializes in evaluating early mental health interventions in school settings, with particular emphasis on developing evidence and resources to support children's mental health in climate-related disasters.

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on disaster psychology, particularly examining the psychological impacts of bushfires and other environmental disasters on children and communities. Her work combines qualitative and quantitative approaches to understand psychological resilience, social identity revitalization in recovery, and the development of practical interventions for schools and communities affected by disasters.

Dr. Macleod is actively involved in significant research projects, most notably leading the evaluation of Psychological First Aid in Schools program in partnership with the NSW Department of Education. She also works on evaluating mental health literacy programs for primary and early high school children, and researching the impacts of bushfires and other disasters on mental health and resilience.

• Centre for Mental Health Research, Researcher
• Child, Youth and Family Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Unit, Researcher