Prof Lorelle Burton

Biography

Professor Lorelle Burton is internationally recognised as an esteemed leader in psychology over almost 30 years in higher education. She is the Dean and Head of the School of Psychology and Wellbeing at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) and is focused on promoting best practice and ensuring diverse cohorts of students actively engage in quality, dynamic learning experiences. Lorelle has been a registered psychologist for almost 30 years. She is recognised as one of Australia’s best educators of psychology, receiving multiple teaching excellence awards, both locally and nationally. Lorelle has developed innovative learning resources that help first-year students adapt to the demands of academic life. She has authored multiple psychology textbooks, including a market leading first year Australian psychology textbook currently in its 6th edition that includes Indigenous-led chapters on Indigenous psychology in both Australia and New Zealand. Lorelle has served as Chair of the national Heads of Departments and Schools of Psychology Association (HODSPA) for the past two years and will continue to serve on the HODSPA Executive as Immediate Past Chair. As Chair of HODSPA, she collaborated with the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) to reimagine the psychology discipline to grow Australia’s mental health workforce. Lorelle has led multiple national research projects on student transitions and factors that influence the first-year student experience. She continues to serve on national committees and boards and is an invited assessor for national learning and teaching awards and grants. Her current research extends beyond academia to promote community-based learning and wellbeing. She works collaboratively with marginalised groups, seeking their own stories as a powerful way to strengthen communities and find new paths to support them into the future.

Employment

Expertise

psychology, mental health and wellbeing, community capacity building, flexible learning, alternative education, first year experience, disenfranchised youth, intergenerational mentoring

Fields of Research

• 390499. Specialist studies in education not elsewhere classified
• 529999. Other psychology not elsewhere classified

Professional Membership