Michael Rowlands

Michael Rowlands is a Lecturer in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Monash University, affiliated with the Monash Pearson Alliance and the Turner Institute for Brain & Mental Health. He holds a PhD in Psychology from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), focusing on recidivism and risk factors in dangerous sex offenders (awarded March 2018). His expertise spans criminal psychology, forensic risk assessment, and evolutionary psychology, with a focus on sex offenders, antisocial behavior, and actuarial justice.

Research Interests: Dr. Rowlands’ work addresses recidivism prediction, sexual offender management, and the application of personality traits (e.g., Big Five, Dark Triad) to antisocial behavior. He develops clinical tools like the Atypical Sexual Interests (Self-Report) Scale and evaluates legal frameworks such as Australia’s Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act. His studies also examine family dynamics and peer influences on aggression in young adults.

Publications: His recent work (2021–2024) includes analyses of recidivism rates, the role of life history theory in criminal behavior, and the psychometric validation of behavioral assessment tools. Earlier studies (2017–2018) explored substance use interventions in prisons and the legal-psychological aspects of managing dangerous offenders.

He supervises PhD students through Monash University’s Medicine Faculty and collaborates internationally on forensic psychology projects. Current affiliations include the Turner Institute for Brain & Mental Health, emphasizing interdisciplinary research in mental health and criminal behavior.