Emma Bradshaw

Dr. Emma Bradshaw is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education at Australian Catholic University. She earned her Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours, First Class) in 2014 and focuses on self-determination theory, autonomy, motivation, aspirations, well-being, and mindfulness. Her work employs advanced statistical methods such as genetic algorithms, network analysis, and social network modeling. Emma is a full HDR supervisor and actively contributes to research on human motivation and health-related behaviors.

• Education: Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours, First Class), Australian Catholic University (2014)

Emma’s research explores how intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations (analyzed via latent profile analysis) impact well-being, using self-determination theory as a framework. She investigates social and contextual factors promoting prosocial behavior, and applies her findings to health promotion and addiction studies. Her recent publications address topics like motivation types linked to mindfulness, alcohol use in Indigenous communities, and the psychological implications of contact-tracing apps.

Her methodological toolkit includes network analysis, actor-partner interdependence modeling, and multidimensional scaling. While her awards are not listed, her supervisory role and collaborative work across disciplines underscore her academic contributions. Emma’s research also intersects with public health, particularly in understanding behavioral responses to digital health interventions.

• Labs/Teams: Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University