Sharon Dane

Dr. Sharon Dane serves as a Researcher at the University of Queensland's School of Psychology, where she investigates psychological dynamics within sexual minority communities and aging migrant populations. Her expertise has directly informed Australian federal policy through testimony at senate inquiries on same-sex marriage legalization between 2009-2016.

She earned her PhD in Psychology from the University of Queensland in 2011, completing her dissertation 'Promoting intergroup contact through the timing of disclosure of a sexual minority status' within the School of Psychology. This foundational work established her research trajectory in identity disclosure and intergroup relations.

Dr. Dane's research program bridges LGBTQ+ psychology and migration studies, examining how social identity, group memberships, and societal acceptance impact wellbeing. Her work consistently applies social identity theory to analyze stigma management strategies among sexual minorities and acculturation processes among elderly migrants, with particular focus on how community participation buffers against discrimination effects.

Analysis of her 12 most recent publications reveals an evolving research arc: early work (2005-2015) pioneered understanding of disclosure timing in same-sex relationships, while current research (2018-2024) examines social connectedness among older Australian migrants. This dual focus demonstrates theoretical continuity through social identity frameworks while addressing critical health disparities in transgender healthcare access and migrant wellbeing.