The Centre for Mental Health Innovation and Education Research conducts research into mental health science, therapeutic innovation, and the science of education in our field. It merges our strengths in psychology and clinical practice with our commitment to educational excellence. By embedding education scholarship within a mental health research hub, we reinforce CMI's integration of teaching, clinical practice, and research.
Key Research Priorities
Mental Health and Psychological Processes Investigating fundamental psychological processes and mental health issues to advance theoretical knowledge and improve clinical understanding.
Digital Therapies and Intervention Innovation Developing and evaluating novel interventions (e.g. digital therapeutics, e-mental health programs) to improve treatment outcomes and accessibility.
Education Scholarship (Program Development & Training)Â Research on program development, delivery and evaluation, including best practices in clinical training, supervision, and education methods for psychology and counselling.
Members
Research Groups
Education and Scholarship (Jennifer Coburn Lab)
The Education and Teaching Scholarship research lab is driven by a curiosity about innovative approaches to teaching and learning across online, blended and in-person environments. We are interested in conducting research that enhances the student experience, promotes quality teaching and optimises efficacy in clinical supervision and work-integrated learning.
This Lab is led by Jennifer Coburn
Embodied Neuroscience (Paul Jenkinson Lab)
The Embodied Neuroscience lab is dedicated to advancing the understanding of human behaviour through the integrated study of the brain and body, and their interactions with the physical and social world (i.e., embodied neuroscience). Recognising the inseparability of these elements, this interdisciplinary work explores the interaction between the mind/brain, body and environment in healthy individuals and people with various clinical conditions.
This lab is led by Prof. Paul Jenkinson
Evolution of Learning & Lifespan Cognition (Sasha Davies & Melissa Hayden Lab)
The EVOLVE lab studies how people adapt when life demands change. We focus on the core processes-executive control, problem-solving, and working memory-that underpin adaptation across health, behaviour, and context. Our work examines two domains that, while different in context, share the challenges of transition: maternal and parental health, where pregnancy and parenthood reshape cognition and wellbeing, and higher education and technology-rich environments, where learners and professionals adjust to new demands and tools.
This Lab is led by Dr. Sasha Davies & Dr. Melissa Hayden
Neuropsychology and Mental Health (Linda Byrne Lab)
The Neuropsychology and Mental Health Lab focuses on understanding how brain function, cognition, and psychological processes interact to shape mental health, behaviour, and quality of life across the lifespan. The lab's core expertise lies in clinical neuropsychology, particularly the assessment and treatment of cognitive and emotional functioning in individuals experiencing neurological and psychiatric conditions. Alongside neurocognitive research, the lab investigates the psychological and social impacts of chronic health conditions, including chronic pain and serious mental illness. This includes research examining caregiver burden, wellbeing, and family functioning, recognising that neurological and psychiatric disorders affect not only individuals but also the families who support them.
This Lab is led by Prof. Linda Byrne
Obsessive Compulsive and Anxiety Disorders (Richard Moulding Lab)
The Obsessive Compulsive and Anxiety Disorders Lab investigates the beliefs, reasoning, and developmental processes that contribute to obsessive-compulsive related disorder and the anxiety disorders. Using experimental, experience sampling, psychometric, and clinical methods, the lab examines mechanisms such as emotion regulation, self-beliefs, and early experiences, with the aim of improving assessment and informing evidence-based psychological interventions.