Associate Professor Aliza Werner-Seidler
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 and treat mental illness in young people.
My work involves conducting studies and trials to examine the best ways to prevent and treat common mental illness (depression, anxiety) 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 - a longitudinal cohort study of adolescent mental health 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:
- Prevention and treatment of depression and anxiety disorders
- School mental health, including student wellbeing, and program implementation in schools
- Treatment of child and adolescent insomnia and sleep disturbance
- Digital delivery and blended care models of treatment for mental illness
For information on specific projects please go to: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/research/our-researchers/aliza-werner-seidler
Funding Sources:
- National Health & Medical Research Council
- Medical Research Future Fund
- nib Foundation
- Perpetual Impact
- Publications
- Media
- Grants
- Awards
- Research Activities
- Engagement
- Teaching and Supervision
Selection of current grants:
Goodman Foundation. Development of a blended care model of treatment for adolescent depression. CIs: Werner-Seidler, O'Dea (2023-2026).
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).
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 -