Taylor Swain

Dr. Taylor Swain is a Lecturer (Teaching Specialist - Clinical) at Flinders University's College of Education, Psychology and Social Work. She is a registered clinical psychologist with AHPRA who coordinates and teaches undergraduate psychology topics with a focus on forensic psychology, evidence-based practice, and cognitive psychology. Her teaching responsibilities include coordinating and lecturing on courses such as PSYC8004 Assessment and Intervention, PSYC3008 Applied Cognitive Psychology, PSYC7007 Evidence-Based Practice, PSYC3236 Forensic Psychology, and PSYC7006 Communicating Skills & Knowledge in Psychology.

Dr. Swain completed her academic qualifications at Flinders University, earning a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) in 2017 followed by a Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) in 2022. She is a generally registered psychologist with AHPRA, holding clinical endorsement and serving as a board-approved supervisor.

Her research centers on the intersection of cognitive psychology and clinical psychology, with particular expertise in prospective memory and its relationship to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Dr. Swain's work investigates how everyday memory failures correlate with PTSD symptom severity in the general population, using both laboratory and real-world assessment methods. Her research has significant implications for understanding trauma-related cognitive processes and developing more effective clinical interventions for individuals experiencing PTSD.

Dr. Swain's recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on the relationship between prospective memory and PTSD, with increasingly sophisticated methodologies moving from preliminary evidence to diary-recorded real-world data. Her work bridges clinical psychology and cognitive science, contributing valuable insights into how trauma affects everyday cognitive functioning beyond laboratory settings. This research trajectory shows her commitment to ecological validity in psychological research while maintaining scientific rigor.

Dr. Swain has received several notable awards for her academic work:

• Vice Chancellor's Award for Doctoral Thesis Excellence (Flinders University, 2022)
• Flinders University Student's Association Development Grant (2019)
• Flinders University Research Scholarship (2018-2021)

As an educator, Dr. Swain supervises Honours students conducting research in applied memory and cognition. Her professional engagement extends beyond academia as she currently works part-time as the Manager of Rehabilitation Programs at the Department for Correctional Services. This dual role allows her to integrate practical clinical experience with academic teaching, particularly in forensic psychology contexts. She is also affiliated with the Forensic and Clinical Cognition Lab at Flinders University, where she continues her research on memory and trauma.

Dr. Swain's professional approach emphasizes evidence-based practice and skill development related to graduate qualities. Her commitment to mentoring is evident in her statement about finding her greatest passion in "teaching and mentoring younger students, or training psychologists." Despite the challenges of her PhD journey during the pandemic, she has established herself as a promising academic with a clear trajectory in clinical and cognitive psychology research.