معرفی
Dr. Michelle Kelly is an Associate Professor in the School of Psychological Sciences at the University of Newcastle, Australia, specializing in social cognition in dementia and traumatic brain injury. As both a Clinical Psychologist and researcher, she bridges clinical practice with academic investigation, maintaining active collaborations with the National Ageing Research Institute in Melbourne, University of New South Wales, and University College London. Her work focuses on developing practical interventions for dementia carers and assessment tools for social cognition impairments.
Dr. Kelly completed her Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) at the University of Newcastle, followed by a PhD and Master of Psychology (Clinical) at the University of New South Wales. Her educational journey reflects her dual commitment to clinical practice and research excellence in neuropsychology.
Her research examines how social cues help us navigate society and relationships, particularly focusing on dementia and older adults. She investigates how brain changes impact social functioning, including emotion recognition, empathy, and social behavior. Dr. Kelly has developed the Brief Assessment of Social Skills (BASS) screening tool to assess social cognition in dementia patients, addressing a significant gap in clinical assessment tools. Her work extends to understanding stereotyping and prejudice around older people, collaborating with Dr. Stefania Paolini on interventions to change perceptions of aging.
Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on telehealth interventions for dementia carers, social cognition assessment tools, climate anxiety impacts, and mindfulness-based approaches for older adults. Her work demonstrates increasing interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and creative arts.
- 2021 Women in Research Fellowship, Office of DVC (Research and Innovation), University of Newcastle
Dr. Kelly has secured substantial grant funding, including multiple Medical Research Future Fund projects totaling over $3.8 million. Her current projects include translating aged care nurse practitioner models to rural settings, developing dementia care coordination interventions, and examining creative arts engagement for older adults' wellbeing. She works closely with clinicians in public health settings, aged care providers, and non-profit organizations including Hunter Primary Care and the Primary Health Network, ensuring her research has practical clinical applications.
Through initiatives like the 'Brain @ Watt Space' and 'Biomes' exhibitions, Dr. Kelly leads interdisciplinary teams exploring connections between neuroscience and creative arts. Her STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) projects engage diverse community members in understanding brain health and its relationship to environmental connections, demonstrating her commitment to public science communication and community engagement.
