Mark Horswill

Professor Mark Horswill is a faculty member in the School of Psychology at the University of Queensland, part of the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. He holds a PhD from the University of Reading. His research focuses on hazard perception in driving, risk-taking behaviors, and human factors in healthcare systems. Key projects include developing a video-based hazard perception test used in Queensland’s driver licensing system (2008-2021) and creating hospital observation charts linked to reduced mortality rates. He has collaborated on studies involving cannabis effects on driving, chronic pain’s impact on drivers, and laparoscopic training simulations. His work spans over 150 publications, emphasizing practical applications in traffic safety and medical education.

• Education: PhD, University of Reading

Research interests include cognitive psychology applied to driver behavior, medical chart design, and training interventions for skill enhancement. His projects often involve interdisciplinary teams across psychology, medicine, and engineering. Notable impacts include reducing novice driver crashes via licensing reforms and improving patient monitoring in hospitals.

Recent articles explore cannabis effects on driving cognition, functional neurological disorders’ influence on driving, and chronic pain’s distraction risks. His work bridges theoretical psychology with real-world safety outcomes, emphasizing measurable behavioral changes.

Advising and grants include projects funded by Australian Capital Territory Government and RACV Safety Research. He supervises students and collaborates internationally, such as developing hazard perception tests for Thailand. His lab focuses on translating research into policy and clinical practice.