Charles Marley

Associate Professor Charles Marley

Associate Professor

School of Allied Health Science and Practice

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

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

I’m Academic Lead of Learning and Teaching at the University of Adelaide’s School of Allied Health Science and Practice. I’m responsible for overseeing the quality of learning and teaching across the School, as well as developing the learning and teaching knowledge, skills, and practices of academics within the school. I’m also lead for Inter-Professional Learning across Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, and Physiotherapy, aiming to foster collaborative practice in future healthcare professionals.

Previously at the University of Edinburgh, I was involved in teaching and research in child mental health and wellbeing, including overseeing the MSc Mental Health of Children and Young People: Psychological Approaches. I maintain full registration as a practitioner psychologist with the HCPC (UK) and AHPRA (Australia) and am listed on the British Psychological Society Register of Approved Applied Psychology Supervisors.

My research is influenced by Michel Foucault, Nickolas Rose, Carol Bacchi, and João Biehl. I combine their approaches to explore the interconnected cultural, political, and economic factors that shape mental health practices. I utilise a critical ethnographic framework to investigate healthcare practices, highlighting how these are shaped by a complex 'apparatus' of social, institutional, and policy-related factors. This approach has enabled me to develop detailed ethnographic case studies that link everyday social actions to the broader contextual elements that influence them, thus providing a nuanced understanding of mental health conceptualisation and intervention.

My research interests extend to global mental health studies, particularly focusing on how diverse cultural, political, and economic factors interact with local contexts to influence health practices and policies. This includes work on research ethics and integrity and the WHO mhGap approach, advocating for culturally and systemically informed health interventions.

I am interested in how the knowledges and practices that structure everyday social action relating to mental health and wellbeing emerge from within an ‘apparatus’ of interconnected cultural, political, and economic factors.  My approach draws on the work of Michel Foucault, Nickolas Rose, Carol Bacchi, and João Biehl.  By utilising various strands of their approaches, my approach engages with the nexus of elements that condition how we understand problems and the solutions generated to solve them.  I utilise a critical ethnographic approach to create ethnographic ‘case studies’ that connect everyday social action to a multitude of influencing social, institutional, political/policy factors that play a role in conditioning the possibility of these everyday practices to be in place.  My work also extends into global mental health studies.  There have been calls within this theoretical domain for approaches that consider cultural, political, and economic factors and their interaction with local contextual factors.  My work in this area relates to the research ethics and integrity in global health / global mental health research.

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2021 - ongoing Senior Lecturer in Allied Health Science and Practice University of Adelaide
    2021 - ongoing Clinical Psychologist Umbrella Psychology
    2019 - 2021 Lecturer in Clinical Education University of Edinburgh
    2017 - 2021 Director of Technology Enhanced Learning University of Edinburgh
    2010 - 2021 Lecturer in Applied Psychology University of Edinburgh
    2007 - 2011 Clinical Psychologist National Health Service Scotland

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2013 Research Award International Postgraduate Research Scholarship University of Queensland Australia -
    2013 Research Award UQ Centennial Scholarship University of Queensland Australia -

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2013 - 2018 University of Queensland Australia PhD: Critical Theory and Medical Ethnography
    2004 - 2007 University of Birmingham United Kingdom Doctorate: Clinical Psychology
    2002 - 2003 University of Strathclyde United Kingdom MSc Research Methods in Psychology
    1993 - 1998 Glasgow Caledonian University United Kingdom BSc (Hons): Combined Studies Psychology and Chemistry

  • Certifications
    Date Title Institution name Country
    2021 General Registration with endorsement in clinical psychology Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Australia
    2021 Register of Applied Psychology Practice Supervisors British Psychological Society United Kingdom
    2021 Chartered Psychologist British Psychological Society United Kingdom
    2020 Practitioner Psychologist Health Care Professionals Council United Kingdom

  • Research Interests
    Clinical Psychology Developmental & Child Psychology Education General Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology Hermeneutic and Critical Theory Mental Health Poststructuralism Psychology Social and Community Psychology

  • Journals
    Year Citation
    2025 Pollock, D., Marley, C., McBride, G., Dias, M., Kanukula, R., Hasanoff, S., . . . Davies, E. (2025). Simulated clinical placements in health care education: A scoping review and evidence and gap map protocol. JBI Evidence Synthesis.
    DOI
    2024 Thompson, J., Verrall, C., Bogaardt, H., Thirumanickam, A., Marley, C., & Boyle, M. (2024). Responding to the real problem of sustainable resuscitation skills with real assessment. Mixed-methods evaluation of an authentic assessment programme. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 30(6), 989-999.
    DOI
    2024 Chibwana, K., Hoelterhoff, M., Kawale, P., Guerra, C., Marley, C., Amos, A., . . . Reid, C. (2024). Exploring Professional and Carer Stakeholder Conceptualizations of Child and Adolescent Mental Health in Malawi Using a Contextual Co-Design Methodology: The Interplay of Pathology, the Supernatural, and a Pathway to Healing. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 55(6), 619-637.
    DOI
    2023 Petagna, M., Marley, C., Guerra, C., Calia, C., & Reid, C. (2023). Mental Health Gap Action Programme intervention Guide (mhGAP-IG) for Child and Adolescent Mental Health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC): A Systematic Review. Community Mental Health Journal, 59(1), 192-204.
    DOI Scopus15 WoS3 Europe PMC12
    2023 Marley, C. (2023). Investigating ADHD across education and health: a critical ethnographic approach. International Journal of Research and Method in Education, 46(4), 434-446.
    DOI
    2023 Wong, P. S., Chong, D. W. K., & Marley, C. (2023). Pharmacy students' perceptions of instructional methods of cognitive apprenticeship in clinical teaching: A qualitative study. Pharmacy Education, 23(1), 491-498.
    DOI
    2022 Zaghal, A., Marley, C., Rahhal, S., Hassanieh, J., Saadeh, R., El-Rifai, A., . . . Hoballah, J. J. (2022). Face-to-face versus distance learning of basic suturing skills in novice learners: a quantitative prospective randomized trial. BMC Medical Education, 22(1), 1-18.
    DOI Scopus16 WoS5 Europe PMC13
    2022 Calia, C., Guerra, C., Reid, C., Marley, C., Barrera, P., Oshodi, A. -G. T., & Boden, L. (2022). Developing an Evidence-base to Guide Ethical Action in Global Challenges Research in Complex and Fragile Contexts: A Scoping Review of the Literature. Ethics and Social Welfare, 16(1), 54-72.
    DOI Scopus3 WoS1
    2021 Marley, C., Calia, C., Reid, C., Guerra, C., Abdul-Gafar, O., Amos, A., . . . Grant, L. (2021). Ethical challenges in the COVID-19 research context: a toolkit for supporting analysis and resolution. Ethics and Behavior, 31(1), 60-75.
    DOI Scopus18 WoS12
    2020 Anderson, J., Marley, C., Gillespie-Smith, K., Carter, L., & MacMahon, K. (2020). When the mask comes off: Mothers’ experiences of parenting a daughter with autism spectrum condition. Autism, 24(6), 1546-1556.
    DOI Scopus20 WoS7 Europe PMC11
    2020 Marley, C., Fryer, D., & Stambe, R. (2020). The reproduction of compliant labour power through (re)constitution of the child and adult subject: critical knowledge-work. Awry: Journal of Critical Psychology, 1(1), 35-49.
    2019 Marley, C., & Mauki, B. (2019). Resilience and protective factors among refugee children post-migration to high-income countries: a systematic review. European Journal of Public Health, 29(4), 706-713.
    DOI Scopus70 WoS36 Europe PMC32
    2018 Marley, C., O'Leary, A., & Nikopoulou, V. (2018). Broken brains or flawed studies? An update on Leo and Cohen's (2003) critical review of ADHD neuroimaging. Journal of Mind and Behavior, 39(3), 333-355.
    2018 Marley, C., O’Leary, A. M., & Nikopoulou, V. A. (2018). Broken brains or flawed studies? An update on Leo and Cohen’s critical review of ADHD neuroimaging. Journal of Mind and Behavior, 39(3), 205-228.
    2017 Marley, C., Jones, J., & Jones, C. A. (2017). Testing the Trower and Chadwick model of paranoia: Is ‘poor-me’ and ‘bad-me’ paranoia acting as a defence?. Psychiatry Research, 258, 66-71.
    DOI Scopus2 WoS1 Europe PMC1
    2014 Marley, C., & Fryer, D. (2014). Social change through critical knowledge work: The case of ADHD. The Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, 14, 11-19.
    2007 Wilson, G. B., Galloway, J., Shewan, D., Marshall, L., Vojt, G., & Marley, C. (2007). “Phewww, bingoed!”: Motivations and variations of methods for using heroin in Scottish prisons. Addiction Research & Theory, 15(2), 205-224.
    DOI
    2006 Baxter, J. S., Boon, J. C. W., & Marley, C. (2006). Interrogative pressure and responses to minimally leading questions. Personality and Individual Differences, 40(1), 87-98.
    DOI

  • Books
    Year Citation
    2020 Marley, C. (2020). Problematising Young People: A Critical Ethnographic Investigation of ADHD (1 ed.). Bingley, UK: Emerald Publishing Ltd.
    DOI Scopus1

  • Book Chapters
    Year Citation
    2022 Marley, C., & Fryer, D. (2022). The ADHD Industry: The Psychiatrisation of the School System in its labour market context. In M. Harbusch (Ed.), Troubled Persons Industries - The Expansion of Psychiatric Categories beyond Psychiatry (1st ed., pp. 77-106). New York, NY, USA: Springer International Publishing.
    DOI
    2021 Marley, C., Faye, A. D., Hurst, E., Moeller, J., & Pinkerton, A. (2021). Moving beyond ‘You said, we did’: Extending an ethic of hospitality to the student feedback process. In T. Fawns, G. Aitken, & D. Jones (Eds.), Beyond Technology: Online Postgraduate Education in a Postdigital World (pp. 1-19). Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.
    DOI

  • Conference Papers
    Year Citation
    2023 Marley, C. (2023). Taking a developmental approach to depression and anxiety. In 5th Annual Physiotherapy Clinical Education Symposium. University of South Australia.
    2020 Marley, C., Stambe, R., & Fryer, D. (2020). Are ‘critical’ community psychology and qualitative research incompatible? Some challenges of critical methodology. In https://internationalcommunitypsychology.com/iccp2020/. Melbourne.
    2019 Marley, C. (2019). A Foucauldian-inspired ethnographic investigation: The emergence of the everyday social practice of ADHD. In https://kuleuvencongres.be/ecqi2019. Edinburgh.

  • Report for External Bodies
    Year Citation
    2011 Marley, C., & Sproule, J. (2011). Better all round: Effective early intervention, easier access and increased efficiency.
    2006 Marley, C., Shewan, D., Marshall, L., Wilson, G., Vojt, G., & Galloway, J. (2006). SPS Strategy on the Management of Drug Misuse. Pathways and Progression: An Evaluation of Referral, Assessment, and Intervention.

  • Theses
    Year Citation
    - Marley, C. (n.d.). A Foucauldian-inspired ethnographic investigation: The emergence of the everyday social practice of ADHD.

  • Internet Publications
    Year Citation
    2022 Marley, C., Morris, S., Huppatz, E., & Dickson, C. (2022). Relationship-building: the key to effective teaching.
    2021 Calia, C., Corrine, R., Liz, G., Cristóbal, G., Action, A., Abdul-Gafar Tobi, O., . . . Joseph, B. (2021). Ethical Action in Global Research: A Toolkit. The University of Edinburgh.

  • Preprint
    Year Citation
    2023 Marley, C., Woodhead, S., Calia, C., Guerra, C., Reid, C., Burke, J. P., & Amos, A. (2023). Manuscript Title: Maternal Mental Health in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review of Interventions for Common Perinatal Mental Health Disorders.
    DOI

2019

CAHSS SFC ODA Global Challenges Internal Fund: GBP 50,000

  • Strong minds, strong lives: Building enduring partnerships through co-design of a rural mental health service and research strategy

SFC ODA Global Challenges Internal Fund: GBP 80,000

  • Leadership in Ethics, Integrity and Research Conduct in Complex LMIC-UK partnership project

2020

CAHSS SFC ODA Global Challenges Internal Fund: GBP 94, 346

  • Leadership in Ethics, Integrity and Research Conduct in Complex LMIC-UK partnership project: Phase II

 

 

 

 

2021-Present: University of Adelaide

Communication in Professional Practice

Foundations of Health and Wellbeing 

Evidence-Based Practice in Allied Health

 

2011-2021: University of Edinburgh

Applied Developmental Psychopathology

Trauma and Resilience in a Developmental Context

Critical Psychology and Child Mental Health

Social Inequality and Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Community Psychology and Clinical Practice

Research Methods in Clinical Education

Current Issues in Clinical Education

 

 

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2025 Co-Supervisor What impact could greenspace exposure have on lower respiratory outcomes? Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mrs Amanda Maddern
    2024 Principal Supervisor Explore the impact of life-course events and admission-related trauma on the experience of breathlessness and clinical outcomes for ICU patients Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Leigh Rushworth
    2022 Co-Supervisor Developmental Language Disorder for adolescents: Perceptions of identity Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Lucy Christine Farrar

  • Other Supervision Activities
    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2021 - 2021 Principal Supervisor A Case of Neoliberal Eudaimonia: A Critical Policy Analysis of Children and Young People's Success and Wellbeing in Scotland University of Edinburgh MSc Psychology of Mental Health Master Full Time Electra Tzini
    2020 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Mental Health Interventions for Children and Young People in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Thematic Analysis University of Edinburgh MSc Mental Health in Children and Young People: Psychological Approaches Master Full Time Jennifer Whiteoak
    2020 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Critical Discourse Analysis of Resistance in ADHD Clinical Appointments University of Edinburgh MSc Mental Health in Children and Young People: Psychological Approaches Master Full Time Amanda Pilmore-Bedford
    2020 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Trauma-Informed Training Programmes to Improve Foster Care Knowledge and Practice: A Systematic Review University of Edinburgh MSc Mental Health in Children and Young People: Psychological Approaches Master Full Time Clare Lord
    2020 - 2021 Principal Supervisor A Cross-National Comparison of Mental Wellbeing Discourse Between Indian and UK Policy Documents University of Edinburgh MSc Psychology of Mental Health Master Full Time Kartik Rai
    2020 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Contextual Constraints Around Mental Health Support in Humanitarian Settings: A Critical Discourse Analysis University of Edinburgh MSc Psychology of Mental Health Master Full Time Emma Casey
    2020 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Medical Student's Stress and Burnout: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis University of Edinburgh MSc Clinical Education Master Full Time Mohamed Abdelrahim
    2020 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Student Perception and Expectation on Learning Trauma Medicine in Malaysia University of Edinburgh MSc Clinical Education Master Full Time Umparan Govindan
    2020 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Face-to-Face versus Distance Learning of Basic Suturing Skills in Novice Learners University of Edinburgh MSc Clinical Education Master Full Time Ahmad Zagal
    2020 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Experiences of Medical Students and Facilitators of Online and Hybrid Case-Based Learning (CBL) University of Edinburgh MSc Clinical Education Master Full Time Harveen Sudarshan
    2020 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Gamified Learning for Inculcating Patient Safety Concepts in Dentistry University of Edinburgh MSc Clinical Education Master Full Time Song Yi Lin

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2021 - 2022 Member The British Psychological Society United Kingdom
  • Position: Associate Professor
  • Phone: 83136683
  • Email: charles.marley@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Engineering and Maths. Sciences, floor Fourth Floor
  • Room: 406
  • Org Unit: Allied Health Administration
Connect With Me
External Profiles