Research interests of the research team offering the project
Associate Professor Kelly Allott is a Principal Research Fellow and clinical neuropsychologist and she leads cognition research at Orygen, Centre for Youth Mental Health. Kelly’s research focuses on the role of cognition, including memory, language and reasoning in youth psychiatric disorders.
Dr Isabel Zbukvic is a research fellow in the Knowledge Translation division at Orygen, Centre for Youth Mental Health. Isabel’s research uses implementation science and behaviour change theory to understand and improve the implementation of evidence-based practices in mental health care.
Details of the project
Cognitive impairment, such as problems with attention or memory, is a common feature of mental illness that can have significant functional impacts for young people at school, work, in relationships, and other parts of life.
The first step in addressing cognitive impairment in young people is to identify it. Practices to identify or screen for cognitive impairment can range from informal questioning to use of a formal cognitive screening tool. This project aims to understand and improve practices for identifying cognitive impairment in youth mental health settings.
Using implementation science framework/s, this project will employ mixed methods to explore factors that influence practice and implementation processes, to develop and test evidence-based strategies and resources aimed at embedding cognitive screening in routine care with young people.
Under the supervision of researchers with expertise in clinical practice and implementation science, the PhD candidate will have the opportunity to work with youth mental health practitioners, young people, service leaders, and implementation facilitators to design research and collect data. Findings will directly inform the development of workforce and service development initiatives and tools delivered across Australian youth mental health settings (for example, findings may inform resources such as these).
Project references
- Lee RSC, Hermens DF, Scott J, O'Dea B, Glozier N, Scott EM, et al. A transdiagnostic study of education, employment, and training outcomes in young people with mental illness. Psychol Med. 2017;47(12):2061-70.
- Nilsen P. Making sense of implementation theories, models and frameworks. Implementation Science. 2015;10(1):53.
Scholarships and fees
A stipend is not available for this project.
To complete this project as a MPhil:
Scholarships are available through the University of Melbourne. More information here.
Other scholarship opportunities may also be available but are highly competitive. Please speak to the contact person below for more information.
Domestic Master of Philosophy students do not incur fees. Information on University of Melbourne fees for international students is available here.
To complete this project as a PhD:
Scholarships are available through the University of Melbourne – find out more here.
Other scholarship opportunities may also be available but are highly competitive, so please speak to the contact person below for further details.
Information on fees for domestic and international students is available here.
How to apply
To complete this project as a MPhil:
- Read information for future students here, and check your eligibility here.
- Read our frequently asked questions here.
- Liaise with, and gain the support of, the supervisor/s. Please contact them using the details below and attach a copy of your CV and university transcript(s).
- Once you’ve gained supervisor support, submit your application here.
To complete this project as a PhD
- Read information for future students here and check your eligibility here.
- Read our frequently asked questions here.
- Liaise with, and gain the support of, the supervisor/s. Please contact them using the details below and attach a copy of your CV and university transcript(s).
- Once you’ve gained supervisor support, follow the steps outlined by the University of Melbourne here. You can go straight to Step 3.
You are strongly encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Contact
Dr Isabel Zbukvic
[email protected]