The 2023 Scholars in Psychology Lecture

The world has transformed over the past 80+ years, presenting new challenges for parents and their children. Amid rapid change and an overwhelming amount of advice, it's natural to seek guidance on providing the best support. But how do you choose the right path in this ever-changing world?

Join Developmental Psychology expert, Professor Melanie Zimmer-Gembeck, as she delves into the history of parenting studies and narratives. Explore the impact of complex parenting practices on a child's development and uncover five fresh challenges for parents and parenting support programs. Learn how we can cope and thrive as parents, and a community, in today's unsteady world.

Complimentary refreshments

All are welcome to join us for complimentary refreshments from 5.30pm in the foyer.

Student scholarship awards

We invite all attendees to join a short student scholarship award from 6.00pm – 6.15pm. The lecture will begin promptly at 6.15pm.

Attend online

You can attend this talk in-person, or online. To register for the in-person event, secure your tickets through Humanitix. To attend online, register via Zoom and we'll email the event link to your inbox.

Professor Melanie Zimmer-Gembeck

Currently at Griffith University, Melanie is the Director of the Family Interaction Program, a lead in the newly established Griffith Centre for Mental Health, a member of the Menzies Health Institute of Queensland, and co-lead (with Dr. Kathryn Modecki) of the Dynamics in Youth Development Research Group.

Melanie conducts research on important times of life for the development of interpersonal problems and psychopathology, as well as for mental health, growth, resilience and recovery - working with children, teenagers, young adults, families and peer groups. This research concentrates on the impact of social relationships (online or offline) and the development of coping, emotion regulation, rejection sensitivity and other social cognitive beliefs. Melanie also concentrates her research on some of the major concerns of adolescents: appearance, social media and immersion in technology, virtual worlds, parents and friends. Other primary areas of expertise are how intimate relationships, sexuality, identity and autonomy develop; and the impacts of offline and cyber rejection experiences, aggression and abuse on the development of problems and resilient responding.

Originally from the US, Melanie has attracted more than $25 million in external research funding since coming to Australia in Sept 2001. She has published almost 300 books, book chapters, and journal articles; and has supervised more than 40 PhD candidates to the completion of their Dr. degree. She is a collaborator on research underway in Switzerland, Belgium, USA, Indonesia, and The Netherlands. She has received multiple awards for research: an Excellence in Research Supervision Award in 2013 and 2018, a Research Excellence Award in 2014 and 2020, and High Impact Publication Awards.

Subscribe
Receive news on upcoming Island of Ideas events directly to your inbox and subscribe now!

Watch now
Check out the inaugural Scholars in Psychology talk, delivered in December 2022 by Professor Michelle Craske on The Mental Health Gap.