
BPsychol (Hons) - UNSW, 2006
Combined PhD/MPsychol(Clinical) - UNSW, 2012
My research program uses experimental and clinical trial methodology to examine the best ways to prevent mental illness in young people.
I am a nationally and internationally recognised leader in conducting large scale trials to examine the best ways to prevent common mental illness in young people, using evidence-based programs, delivered both through the school system and in the community. I am currently leading the Future Proofing Study - the largest mental health digital prevention trial undertaken globally, and will use this data to better understand the risk factors and reasons why young people develop mental illness in the first place. The overall goal of this research is to improve prevention treatments and better target those who are at risk. I am particularly interested in addressing the gender gap in mental illness - girls and women currently experience mental ill health at a rate of twice that relates to boys and men.
My current research areas include:
For information on specific projects please go to: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/research/our-researchers/aliza-werner-seidler
Funding Sources:
Selection of current grants:
NHMRC Investigator Grant. The Kids Aren't Alright: Preventing Adolescent Depression. Sole CI: Werner-Seidler (2021-2026).
Medical Research Future Fund. Optimising Treatments in Mental Health Using Artificial Intelligence. CIs: Christensen, Huckvale, Newby, Werner-Seidler, Beames, Han, Venkatesh, Gupta, Quin, Mouzakis, Vasa, Kummerfeld, Cutler (2020-2023).
Goodman Foundation. Supported Online Therapy for Youth: Filling a Gap in Australian Mental Healthcare. CIs: O'Dea, Werner-Seidler (2020-2023).
Perpetual Impact. Reducing Mental Illness By Targeting Sleep Disturbance in Young Adults. CIs: Werner-Seidler, Newby (2021-2022).
2022 - Australian Rotary Health and the Alliance for Prevention of Mental Health Disorders Mid Career Award for Research Excellence
2018 - Young Tall Poppy Award from Australian Institute of Policy and Science
2017 - Australian Association for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Tracy Goodall Early Career Researcher Award
2015 - British Psychological Society International Rising Star Award
My Research Supervision
1. Joint supervisor, Michelle Tadros. PhD thesis title: Treating insomnia in young adults. 2020 -
2. Joint supervisor, Jacqueline Frei. PhD thesis title: Enhancing mental health literacy in primary school teachers. (part time) 2021 -
3. Joint supervisor, Katarina Kikas. PhD thesis title: Illness Anxiety Disorder: A longitudinal investigation. 2022 -