معرفی
Dr Louise Birrell is a Senior Research Fellow and NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow at the Matilda Centre, University of Sydney. Her primary role focuses on preventing youth mental health and substance use disorders through digital health innovations. She leads initiatives such as the Mind Your Mate peer support app and the Climate Schools program, involving over 13,000 students across 142 schools. Dr Birrell holds academic leadership roles in NHMRC research centres, including chairing Capacity Building for the PREMISE Youth Advisory Board and the Centre of Research Excellence in Precision Treatment of Depression.
Education:
- PhD
- Bachelor of Psychology (BPysch)
- Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc)
Research Focus: Dr Birrell’s work emphasizes digital interventions, social connection’s role in mental health, and school-based prevention programs. Her projects address crystal methamphetamine (ice) harm reduction (Cracks in the Ice initiative), e-cigarette prevention (OurFutures Vaping Program), and trauma-informed mental health strategies.
Grants and Funding: Over $25M secured, including $1.1M as Chief Investigator for Mind Your Mate. Recent grants include NHMRC Investigator Grants for social connection initiatives and mental health frameworks.
Key Awards:
- 2021 Matilda Centre Community Impact Award
- 2019 Early Career Researcher Award (Society for Mental Health Research)
- Multiple team awards for Cracks in the Ice and Climate Schools programs
Teams & Labs: Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams across government, schools, and digital agencies. Leads the Matilda Centre’s Young People’s Mental Health & Wellbeing program and co-leads PREMISE’s Youth Advisory Board.