Diana Dorstyn

Associate Professor Diana Dorstyn

Associate Professor/Reader

School of Psychology

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

I am a registered psychologist and mid-career researcher with expertise in neurological rehabilitation. I have published widely on the important role of support networks and psychological interventions to promote health outcomes, including quality of life, following a traumatic injury or chronic illness.

My research has made a real difference to South Australians living with a physical disability. I collaborated with a statewide service provider, the Paraplegic & Quadriplegic Association of South Australia Ltd, to help establish a much-needed vocational counselling service for job-seekers with a spinal cord injury. More recently, I partnered with WorkGain, an accredited return-to-work provider, to examine the benefits of rehabilitation based on work-specific simulation methods.

WorkGain: Evaluation of a biopsychosocial rehabilitation program
WorkGain: Evaluation of a Biopsychosocial Rehabilitation Program

 

 

Research Supervision

I am interested in projects that focus on mental health assessment and/or treatment for individuals and families affected by a neurological condition or traumatic injury (e.g., multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke). My expertise is review methodology, including meta-analysis, which combines the results of multiple scientific studies to provide the best form of evidence for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers. 

 
In the Media

External Competitive Funding

Date Project Investigators Funding Body  AUD
2022 Continuation of sagittal stenosis project Roberts R, Osborn A, Dorstyn D (University of Adelaide)

Australian Cranio-Maxillo Facial Foundation

 198,771
2021 Work Gain: Experiences of a work-specific rehabilitation
program		 Dorstyn D, Chur-Hansen A, Roberts R, Oxlad M (University of Adelaide), Fedoric B, Roberts T (WorkGain) Lifetime Support Authority of South Australia 120,100
2020

SCI Research Collaboration Grant

 Dorstyn D, Roberts R, Chur-Hansen A (University of Adelaide), Fraser W, Kuberek S (Paraquad SA) Spinal Research Institute

 2,000
2020 Sagittal synostosis  project Roberts R, Osborn A, Dorstyn D (University of Adelaide)

Australian Cranio-Maxillo Facial Foundation

110,000
2019 Development and evaluation of an online peer-supported intervention for job-seekers with multiple sclerosis Dorstyn D, Roberts R, Oxlad  M (University of Adelaide), Craig A (University of Sydney), Kneebone I (University of Technology Sydney), Murphy G (La Trobe University) Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia Incubator Grant

25,000
2019 Work and SCI: development of a return-to-work assessment and counselling service for injured job-seekers living in the community Dorstyn D, Roberts R, Chur-Hansen A (University of Adelaide), Murphy G (La Trobe University), Stewart P (Paraquad SA), Craig A (University of Sydney), Kneebone I (University of Technology Sydney) Lifetime Support Authority of South Australia 94,507
2016 Work and SCI: an online course to enhance vocational outcomes following spinal cord injury Dorstyn D, Roberts R, Chur-Hansen A (University of Adelaide), Murphy G (La Trobe University), Stewart P (Paraquad SA), Marshall R, Clark J (SA Health/University of Adelaide), Kneebone I (University of Technology Sydney), Migliorini C (Monash University), Craig A (University of Sydney) auDA Foundation

22,280
2015 Development and preliminary trial of an online vocational program for Australian adults with spinal cord injury.

Dorstyn D, Roberts R, Chur-Hansen A (University of Adelaide), Murphy G (La Trobe University), Stewart P (Paraquad SA), Marshall R, Clark J (SA Health/University of Adelaide), Kneebone I (University of Technology Sydney), Migliorini C (Monash University), Craig A (University of Sydney)

 Lifetime Support Authority of South Australia

61,000
2014

Online vocational rehabilitation for adults with MS: Does it work?

Dorstyn D, Roberts R (University of Adelaide), Murphy G (La Trobe University), Kneebone I (University of Technology Sydney), Migliorini C (Monash University), Craig A (University of Sydney), Fields D (SA Health)

 Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia Incubator Grant 20,985

 

Consulting Projects

Date Project Investigators Contractor AUD
2022 Design a Telehealth Framework for Adaptation in Workers’ Compensation Environments for Injured Workers Whetton S, Dorstyn D, Chur-Hansen A, Abdul Halim S (University of Adelaide) State Insurance Regulatory Authority 246,355
2021

Design a Telehealth Framework for Adaptation in Workers’ Compensation Environments for Injured Workers

Whetton S, Dorstyn D, Chur-Hansen A, Abdul Halim S (University of Adelaide)

 Victorian Workcover Authority

36,257
2021 National Disability Employment Strategy Report O'Neil M, Abdul Halim S, Dey T, Dorstyn D, Kosturjak A, Whetton S (University of Adelaide) Dept. of Social Services

167,106
Program Coordination

Postgraduate (HDR) Co-ordinator

Master of Psychology (Clinical) Co-Director

 
Course Coordination

Interviewing and Intervention (PSYCHOL 7131, 7231)

 
Teaching

Interviewing and Intervention (PSYCHOL 7131, 7231)

Professional Practice (PSYCHOL 7331)

Master of Psychology (Clinical) Placement I, II, III (PSYCHOL 7140, 7141, 7143)

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2024 Principal Supervisor Identifying service supports and gaps for Australians living with a disability on the NDIS Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Mark Daniel Marveggio
    2024 Principal Supervisor Engaging patients and health care providers to improve the quality of spinal injury care. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Georgina Edwards
    2022 Co-Supervisor Employing Mind-body Therapies for People with Persistent Pain Post-Stroke Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Nicole Prideaux

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2019 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Understanding Burnout in General Practice Registrars Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Clinical) Doctorate Full Time Mr Shaun Mark Lawrence Prentice
    2018 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Caregivers Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Clinical) Doctorate Full Time Mr Matthew Ronald Hartley
    2017 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Belonging to the World Online: Older Adults’ Use of Computer-Mediated Communication for Social Wellbeing Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Belinda Grace Fuss
    2015 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Stem Cell Treatments for Stroke: A Biopsychosocial Perspective Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Clinical) Doctorate Full Time Mr David John Unsworth
    2013 - 2016 Co-Supervisor University Students' Mental Health Help-Seeking: Intention and Service Use Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Wenjing Li
  • Position: Associate Professor/Reader
  • Phone: 83130649
  • Email: diana.dorstyn@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Hughes, floor Level Five
  • Room: 522
  • Org Unit: Psychology
Connect With Me
External Profiles