Gemma Sicouri

Affiliations

Gemma Sicouri is an Honorary Research Fellow at Macquarie University's School of Psychological Sciences and holds a Senior Research Associate position at the University of New South Wales (since 2021). She is also a Clinical Psychologist.

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology, University of Sydney (2019)
• Doctor of Clinical Psychology, University of Sydney (2018)
• Bachelor of Science (Honours Class I) in Psychology, University of Sydney (2011)
• Master of Arts (Honours Class I) in Economics, University of Cambridge (2003)

Research Focus

Her research focuses on understanding and treating anxiety and related disorders in children and adolescents. Key areas include cognitive and familial risk factors, developmental pathways, and evidence-based interventions. She investigates how parental behaviors and environmental factors contribute to youth emotional health disorders.

Key Contributions

Recent work includes a hierarchical model of youth psychopathology, systematic reviews on anxiety prevalence in healthcare settings, and protocols for digital interventions targeting cognitive biases in children. She leads projects like the 2019-2022 initiative on transdiagnostic cognitive factors in anxiety/depression risk in girls.

Awards

Recipient of multiple awards including the AH Martin Prize (2011), Sydney Postgraduate Psychology Conference Best Presentation (2013), and University of Sydney academic excellence recognitions in developmental psychology and research methods.

Engagement

Active in community outreach, including media appearances (A Current Affair, SBS News), clinician training workshops, and school-based mental health advocacy. Serves on Macquarie University's Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences committee.