Deborah Turnbull

Professor Deborah Turnbull

Chair of Psychology

School of Psychology

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

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


Deborah Turnbull holds the Chair of Psychology at The University of Adelaide. She is an active Health and Clinical Psychology researcher and teacher and combines these activities with administrative leadership. She sits on the Management Committee of the Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing and serves on the Board of Kathleen Lumley Foundation. She is an invited member of the College of Reviewers, Canadian Institutes of Health Research. She is also a member of the MBBS Admissions Working Group of the Faculty of Health and Medical Science. She teaches across all levels of psychology and is active in supervision of students enrolled in higher degrees by research. She is the Academic Lead for Internationalisation in the School of Psychology. Her qualifications are: BA(Hons), MPsych(Clin), both from University of Newcastle NSW and PhD (University of Sydney). She is Adjunct Professor at University of South Australia and Visiting Professor, Taylors University, Kuala Lumpur.

Main research programs

  • Maternity services 
  • Cancer prevention and screening 
  • Mental Health 
  • Men's Health

 

 

Selected major grants over career

Turnbull D, Wilkinson C, Gerard K, Stamp G, Ryan P, Sweet R. (1998-2000) (981150) National Health and Medical Research Council P. Antenatal Day Care: A randomised controlled trial: $167 700 over three years.

Young G, Turnbull D, Cole S. (2003-2005) (187644). National Health and Medical Research Council.  Screening for colorectal cancer: Attitudes affecting participation and implementation of strategies for improvement: $155 660, $155 660, $155, 660.

Young GP, Cole SR, Esterman A, Turnbull D, Wilson C. (2005-2007) (324717). National Health and Medical Research Council.  A population –based communication strategy to optimise colorectal cancer screening behaviour in Australia: $174 600, $174 600, $174 600.

Cyna A and Andrew M. (CIs) Robinson J, Crowther C, Turnbull D, Baghurst P, Hancock J and Wicks G (AIs) (2007-2009) (453446).  National Health and Medical Research Council (New Investigator).  Hypnosis Antenatal Training for Childbirth (HATCh) – a randomised controlled trial: $69 725, $69 725, $109, 725. 

Turnbull D, Wilkinson C, Ryan P, Bryce R, Gerard K, Stamp G. (2008-2010) (519236) National Health and Medical Research Council Project Grant Project Grant.  A randomised controlled trial of cervical priming for induction of labour: $195 420, $215 500, $176 295.

Young G, Cole S, Turnbull D, Wilson C, Flight I, Esterman A. (2008-2010) (480428) National Health and Medical Research Council Project Grant. Re-participation in screening for colorectal cancer: Behavioural outcomes predictors: $221 625, $221, 625, $216, 625.

Dodd JM, Turnbull D, McPhee AJ, Wittert G. Project Grant. (2008 - 2011) (519240) National Health and Medical Research Council Project Grant. Limiting weight gain in overweight and obese women during pregnancy to improve health outcomes - a randomised trial: $381 000, $376 000, $376 000, $333,625.

Cole S, Young, G, Turnbull, D, Esterman, A, Wilson, C, Flight, I (2007-2008) (HLE-11632) Strategic Health Research Program. Psychosocial, demographic and program variables associated with bowel cancer re-screening: $110,000, $120,000.

Young G, Bampton P, Cole, S Turnbull D, Williams R (2007-2008) Strategic Health Research Program, Managing System and Patient Sequelae to the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program: $127,430, $140,851, $145,680.

Wilson C, Flight I, Turnbull D, Young G, Cole S.  (2010-2012) (593505)  National Health and Medical Research Council Project Grant.  Population testing of an internet-based Personalised Decision Support system for colorectal cancer screening: $467, 750.

Turnbull D, Wilson C, Flight I, Zajac I. (2012-2013) (1026510)  National Health and Medical Research Council Project Grant.  Optimising men’s uptake of FIT screening for bowel cancer: a population based randomised controlled trial: $356,877.50; $183, 112.50.

Horowitz M, Wittert G, Clifton P, Rayner C, Chapman I, Fienle-Bisset C, Jones K, Noakes M, Chapman M, Nguyen N. AIs: Blackshaw A, Deane A, Heilbronn L, Kitson A, Little T, Luscombe-Marsh N, Page A, Shi Z, Turnbull D, Visvanathan R, Young R.  (2012-17) (1041687) National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) in Translating Nutritional Science to Good Health: $2.5 million over 5 years.   

Wilkinson C, Turnbull D, Mol B, Chandraharan E, McPhee A, Salter A, Symonds I. (2017-2019) (1129648) National Health and Medical Research Council Project Grant.  STan intrapartum fetal monitoring (cardiotocographic plus electrocardiographic) compared with cardiotocographic (CTG) monitoring alone: an Australian randomized controlled trial: $791, 368.90.

Tully P, Tzourio C, Anstey K, Peters R, Turnbull D, Burns, Cosh S.  (2018- 2020) Minimizing blood pressure variability with antihypertensive drugs to reduce dementia risk: an IPD data meta analysis of cohort studies in the CAPA consortium.  Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation – Prevention Beyond the Pipeline RFP: $129, 000.

Price T, Holden C, Poprawski D, Roder D, Ratcliffe J, Turnbull D, Buckley E, Singhal N, Wichmann M. (2019) Does ageism prevail in access to multidisciplinary cancer care?  Cancer Council SA Beat Cancer Project Translational Research Package: $67, 350.

Tully PJ, Turnbull DA, Vincent A, Burns N. The importance of blood pressure and its variability to dementia: an individual participant data meta-analysis from the VARIABLE BRAIN consortium. Dementia Australia Research Foundation Project Grant Round 2: $50, 000.

Tully PJ, Turnbull DA. Exploiting blood pressure variability as a modifiable risk factor for the vascular depression phenotype: a proof of concept study. The Rebecca Cooper Foundation Project Grant: $75,000.

Dodd JM, Poprzeczny A, Louise J, Keir A, Pham C, Laws R, Briley A, Turnbull D, Campbell K. (2020 – 2025).  The Begin Better Randomised Trial.  MRFF ( 1199789):  2,790,917.

McPherson N, Turnbull D, Oxlad M. (2022) Men’s unmet psychosocial needs when diagnosed with male infertility. Ferring Pharmaceuticals Australia Research Grant. $50,000.

Sawyer A, Carbone J, Richardson V, Lee J, Linke R, Turnbull D, Sawyer M, McDonald D (2022-2023). A preliminary evaluation of a new approach to improve the antenatal and postnatal care of infants in families experiencing psychosocial adversity. Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation Grant. $100,000.

 

Main learning and teaching areas

  • International Psychology (Level 2 course for Psychology Advanced students)
  • International Psychology Experience (New Colombo Plan funded winter school)
  • Psychology Skills and Applications (Level 1 course for BPsychSci students)

 

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2024 Principal Supervisor A community assessment of Fijian - contextualized psychosocial stressors, alcohol, substance abuse and mental health. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Elenoa Kamanalagi Seru
    2024 Co-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 Co-Supervisor Isolation, Space Habitats and Secure Facilities Design Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Meriem Allani
    2022 Co-Supervisor Mammographic density: optimising communication and clinical care Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Avisak Bhattacharjee
    2021 Principal Supervisor Dementia risk prediction modelling in the context of vascular disease Doctor of Philosophy under a Jointly-awarded Degree Agreement with Doctorate Full Time Mr Jacob Andrew Brain
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2021 - 2024 Co-Supervisor Deliberate Restriction and/or Omission of Insulin to Influence Weight, Shape and/or Appearance Among Males with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Georgia Brooke Goddard
    2020 - 2023 Principal Supervisor The Signalling Model of Male Help-Seeking Behaviour Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Alex Brae
    2019 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Exploring the Use of Constructive Journalism to Combat Misinformation in the Mainstream Media Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Natasha Renee Van Antwerpen
    2019 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Bullying in Early Adolescence: The Psychosocial, Emotional Wellbeing, and Academic Outcomes of Victimisation Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Sarah Louise Halliday
    2019 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Promoting Lifestyle Change in the Preconception Period: Development of the Begin Better eHealth Intervention Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Jodie Michelle Scott
    2019 - 2020 Principal Supervisor Exploring Communication and Men's Health Service Use on an Australian Health Helpline Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Stefanie Terese Lopriore
    2019 - 2020 Principal Supervisor Woman centred care or institution centred care? A discursive analytic study of childbirth-related decisions Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mrs Lindsay Cole
    2018 - 2023 Principal Supervisor A Multiple Methods Research Program Examining Enhanced Recovery Care with Next-Day Discharge for Elective Caesarean Section Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Health) Doctorate Full Time Ms Christianna Digenis
    2017 - 2019 Principal Supervisor Supporting the Journey of Pregnancy for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Helen Margret Edwards
    2017 - 2018 Principal Supervisor The Impact of Parental Cancer on Adolescent and Young Adult Offspring Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Julia Nellie Morris
    2017 - 2020 Principal Supervisor Women's Psychosocial Outcomes following Cardiotocography (CTG) and ST-Analysis (STan) Fetal Surveillance during Labour: An Australian Randomised Controlled Trial Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Madeleine Rose Benton
    2016 - 2020 Principal Supervisor The Adolescent Distress-Eustress Scale: Designing, Evaluating, and Utilising a Holistic Measure of Adolescent Stress Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Clinical) Doctorate Full Time Dr Victoria Mary Branson
    2015 - 2018 Principal Supervisor The Development of a Best Practice Model to Support Young Children with Disabilities Affected by Environmental Risk Factors in West Timor, Indonesia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Indra Yohanes Kiling
    2015 - 2019 Principal Supervisor How can we do Positive Education Better? The Role of Student Involvement, Implementation, and Physical Activity in Adolescent Wellbeing Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Amber Halliday
    2014 - 2017 Principal Supervisor Thinking Style and Health Behaviour : A Dual-Process Approach to the Prediction of Preventive Health Behaviours Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Clare Ellen McGuiness
    2014 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Effectiveness of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Group Skills Training for Borderline Personality Disorder in Regional Community Mental Health Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Brooke Packham
    2012 - 2015 Principal Supervisor The progression and management of depression and anxiety in chronic hepatitis C patients Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Clinical) Doctorate Full Time Mr Benjamin James Robert Stewart
    2012 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Three Studies Investigating Quality Indicators for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders and Comorbidity: Continuity of Care, Treatment Need and Patient Satisfaction Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Clinical) Doctorate Full Time Miss Stacey Lee McCallum
    2012 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Resilience, Complete Mental Health and Academic Achievement in Traditional and Non-Traditional Students Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Clinical) Doctorate Full Time Dr Ethel Chung
    2011 - 2013 Co-Supervisor Physical activity during pregnancy among pregnant women who are overweight or obese Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Zhixian Sui
    2010 - 2013 Principal Supervisor The psychosocial needs of rural cancer patients Master of Psychology (Clinical)/Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Kate Gunn
    2008 - 2013 Co-Supervisor 'If you don't manage diabetes it will manage you': Type two diabetes self-management in rural Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Laura Jones
    2008 - 2012 Principal Supervisor Adherence to Rescreening for Colorectal Cancer with Faecal Occult Blood Testing Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Amy Duncan
    2007 - 2013 Principal Supervisor A Qualitative Study of Medication Adherence Amongst People with Schizophrenia Master of Psychology (Clinical)/Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Lucinda Clifford
    2006 - 2009 Co-Supervisor Peer Responses to Psychologically Distressed Tertiary Students Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Catherine Leahy
    2006 - 2008 Principal Supervisor Developing Strategies to Improve the Management of Chronic Illness Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Vikki Knott
    2006 - 2008 Co-Supervisor A Step Towards a Broader Understanding of Complex Traumatization in Victims of Crime: Psychological and Physical Health Impacts and Implications for Psychological Interventions and Treatment Evaluation Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Birgit Pfitzer
    2006 - 2011 Principal Supervisor Depression, Anxiety and Morbidity Outcomes After Cardiac Surgery Master of Psychology (Clinical)/Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Phillip Tully
    2006 - 2011 Principal Supervisor The Psychoneuroimmunology of Women Experiencing Stressful Life Events:Testing the Oxidative Model Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Jodie Merle Oliver-Baxter
    2006 - 2010 Co-Supervisor Seeking help for mental health issues in rural South Australia: A mixed methods approach Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Joanne Collins
    2006 - 2013 Principal Supervisor Exploring the experiences of first time fatherhood and paternal postnatal depression: A grounded theory analysis revealing the importance of the concept of coping Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Karina Bria
    2005 - 2009 Principal Supervisor Comparative Optimism about Falling amongst Community Dwelling Older South Australians: A Mixed Methods Approach Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Joanne Dollard
    2005 - 2008 Principal Supervisor Six Studies Pointing to the Need for a Biopsychosocial Approach to Treating Common Gastrointestinal and Hepatologic Disorders Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Prof Antonina Mikocka-Walus
    2004 - 2006 Co-Supervisor Feeling Queer: Can a Primary Health Care Approach Mitigate Health Inequity Experienced by Homosexually Active South Australian Men? Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Gary Rogers
    2004 - 2008 Principal Supervisor Biopsychosocial Associates of Infertility Related Distress and Treatment Outcomes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Neha Mahajan
    2003 - 2010 Co-Supervisor Study of a Primary Care Depression Relapse Prevention Program: "Keeping the Blues Away" Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Catherine Howell
    2000 - 2006 Co-Supervisor A Discursive Analysis of Accounts of Breast Cancer Screening, Risk and Prevention Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Shona Crabb
    1999 - 2002 Principal Supervisor The development and evaluation of a health promotion program for pregnant women aimed at addressing rates of caesarean section Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Ruth Walker
    1999 - 2003 Co-Supervisor Physical Activity Assessment and Determinants of Active Living: The Development of a Model for Promoting Physical Activity among Older Thais Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Kaysorn Sumpowthong
    1996 - 2005 Co-Supervisor THE ROLE OF GOAL SETTING IN THE DIABETES CASE MANAGEMENT OF ABORIGINAL AND NON-ABORIGINAL POPULATIONS IN RURAL SOUTH AUSTRALIA Doctor of Medicine Doctorate Part Time APrf PDavid Mills
    1994 - 2003 Co-Supervisor A PARTICIPANT-OBSERVER CASE STUDY OF RESEARCH IN ISOLATED AUSTRALIAN RURAL GENERAL PRACTICE Doctor of Medicine Doctorate Part Time Dr Richard Walter Watts
  • Board Memberships

    Date Role Board name Institution name Country
    2018 - 2020 Member Australian Men's Health Forum - Australia
    2014 - 2019 Chair Hut Community Centre Adelaide Hills Australia
  • Committee Memberships

    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2022 - ongoing Convener Engagement and Impact Leader, FOR17 The University of Adelaide Australia
    2020 - 2020 Member Self-Assessment Team for SAGE Athena Swan application The University of Adelaide Australia
    2019 - ongoing Member Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences School Internationalisation Leads Network The University of Adelaide Australia
    2019 - ongoing Co-Deputy Director Freemasons Centre for Male Health & Wellbeing Management Committee The University of Adelaide Australia
    2018 - ongoing Member Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Admissions Working Group The University of Adelaide Australia
    2017 - ongoing Vice-Chair Council of Kathleen Lumley College Incorporated - Australia
    2016 - ongoing Member Academic Board University of Adelaide Australia
    2016 - 2020 Member Indigenous Education and Engagement Committee University of Adelaide Australia
    2016 - 2019 Member Beat Cancer Project Executive Group South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute Australia
    2014 - 2015 Chair Research Advisory Board Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute, The Australian National University Australia
    2012 - 2018 Co-Deputy Director Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men's Health The University of Adelaide Australia
    2011 - 2017 Chair Gender, Equity and Diversity Committee University of Adelaide Australia
    2010 - 2014 Member Research Advisory Board Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute, The Australian National University Australia
    2010 - ongoing Member Freemasons' Foundation Centre for Men's Health Management Committee The University of Adelaide Australia
    2010 - ongoing Chair Heads of Department and Schools of Psychology Association University of Adelaide Australia
    2008 - 2016 Member Cancer Research Advisory Committee NSW Cancer Institute Australia
    2007 - 2009 Secretary Heads of Departments and Schools od Psychology Association University of Adelaide Australia
    2007 - ongoing Member Council of Kathleen Lumley College Incorporated - Australia
    2005 - 2008 Member Secondary Schools Assessment Board of South Australia - Australia
    2004 - 2006 Chair Project Grants Review Panels 5A National Health and Medical Research Council Australia
    2004 - ongoing Member Midwifery Group Practice Evaluation Group Women's and Children's Hospital Australia
    2003 - 2004 Member Bowel Cancer Screening Pilot – SA Implementation Subcommittee South Australian Department of Human Services Australia
    2003 - ongoing Member National Institute of Clinical Studies Hospital Advisory Group -
    2003 - ongoing Member Project Grants Review Panel 6A National Health and Medical Research Council Australia
    2001 - 2002 Member Education Committee National Consortium for Education in Primary Medical Care. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Australia
    2001 - ongoing Member Communication and Education Task Group of the Commonwealth Bowel Screening Pilot. Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care Australia
    1998 - ongoing Member National Cancer Control Initiative Implementation Workshop Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services and the Australian Cancer Society Australia
    1996 - 2000 Member Education and Health Promotion Committee (South Australia) Heart Foundation Australia
    1996 - ongoing Member Working Party on the Driver Intervention Program (South Australian Road Safety Consultative Committee) Department of Road Transport. Office of Road Safety Australia
    1996 - ongoing Member Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative State Administrative Body South Australia Australia
  • Memberships

    Date Role Membership Country
    2016 - ongoing Member Australian Psychological Society Australia
  • Community Engagement

    Date Title Engagement Type Institution Country
    2020 - 2020 Men's Health Connected online seminars Public Community Engagement - Australia
  • Editorial Boards

    Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
    2005 - 2009 Associate Editor Australian Psychologist - Australia
  • Offices Held

    Date Office Name Institution Country
    2021 - ongoing Andy Thomas Centre for Space Resources, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic) The University of Adelaide Australia
    2018 - ongoing Academic Lead (Internationalisation), School of Psychology The University of Adelaide Australia
    2015 - 2015 Academic Liaison, UofA Fulbright Fellowship The University of Adelaide Australia
    2012 - 2013 Thinker in Residence Program SA Department of Premier and Cabinet Australia
  • Presentation

    Date Topic Presented at Institution Country
    2023 - 2023 Assessing Women's Knowledge about Breast Density 91st Annual Scientific Congress of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Australia
    2017 - 2017 Gender Equity and Research - Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences Australia
  • Review, Assessment, Editorial and Advice

    Date Title Type Institution Country
    2021 - ongoing Netherlands Org for Health R&D Grant Assessment - Netherlands
    2021 - ongoing Polish National Science Centre Grant Assessment - Poland
    2019 - 2020 Invited College of Reviewers Grant Assessment Canadian Institutes of Health Research Canada
    2018 - ongoing Netherlands Org for Health R&D Grant Assessment - Netherlands
  • Position: Chair of Psychology
  • Phone: 83131229
  • Email: deborah.turnbull@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 83133770
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Hughes, floor 7
  • Org Unit: Psychology

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