Dr Rachael Sharman | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Rachael Sharman is a senior lecturer and researcher in the field of psychology, with a focus on the optimal and healthy development of the paediatric brain. Her research has covered the psychological and cognitive impacts of: rare genetic disorders (phenylketonuria; PKU); dietary intake; physical activity/sports involvement; concussion; brain injury; social media use and high-conflict custody disputes.

After graduating from her first undergraduate degree, Rachael worked for over 15 years in a variety of child-related fields including child protection, juvenile justice (forensics), Indigenous affairs, disability, advocacy and genetic research. In 2002, Rachael personally met with the Queensland Health Minister to successfully lobby the government to invest in expanded newborn screening. The result of that meeting ensured that every baby born in Queensland has since been screened via the 'heel prick test' for an additional 30 rare genetic disorders. This has prevented the unnecessary death or disability caused by these disorders if left undetected and untreated.

Rachael supervises Honours, Masters and PhD students and has a current interest in the impact of social media/screen use in children, adolescents and young adults. She has published over 30 peer reviewed journal articles, two book chapters, one book and is a volume editor for The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development (Wiley).

Rachael is a highly engaging and popular lecturer, who concentrates on cultivating work-relevant skills in her teaching and assessment. Rachael frequently presents at national and international conferences, as well as in schools, professional development and community groups. Her expert commentary has been regularly published in popular media, including newspapers, magazines (eg Time), internet (ABC news, The Conversation), local, national and international radio, and television (eg ABC and commercial news, SBS Insight and The Project).