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 effectiveness of psychosocial 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 have collaborated with a statewide service provider, estara, 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 using work-specific simulation methods.

 

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. 

 
Recent Media

LSA Forum 2023

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2023 - ongoing Chair, Lower Risk Human Research Ethics Committee University of Adelaide
    2023 - ongoing Associate Professor/Reader University of Adelaide
    2018 - 2022 Senior Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2016 - ongoing Member, Health and Medical Human Research Ethics Committee CSIRO
    2012 - 2017 Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2012 - 2015 Professional Member Guardianship Board of South Australia
    2003 - 2012 Senior Clinical Psychologist SA Health
    1997 - 2003 Clinical Psychologist Julia Farr Services

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2022 Award Professional Practice Award Australian Psychological Society Rehabilitation Psychology of Injury, Chronic Illness and Pain Interest Group Australia $500
    2018 Research Award Women's Research Excellence Award University of Adelaide Australia $5000

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2007 - 2012 University of Adelaide Australia PhD
    1997 University of Adelaide Australia MPsych (Clinical)
    1995 University of Adelaide Australia Honours (First Class)
    1994 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Arts

  • Research Interests
    Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology Psychology Rehabilitation

External Competitive Funding

Date Project Investigators Funding Body  AUD
2025 MS Society Telehealth Outreach Program Multiple Sclerosis Society of SA and NT, Dorstyn D, Foran A, Roberts R, Fragkoudi A  Country SA PHN 384,271
2024 Development of psychosocial support needs for families living with craniofacial conditions Roberts R, Osborn A, Dorstyn D Craniofacial Australia 93,887
2022 Continuation of sagittal stenosis project Roberts R, Osborn A, Dorstyn D 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, Fedoric B (WorkGain), Roberts T (WorkGain) Lifetime Support Authority of South Australia 120,100
2020 SCI Research Collaboration Grant Dorstyn D, Roberts R, Chur-Hansen A, Fraser W (Paraquad SA), Kuberek S (Paraquad SA) Spinal Research Institute  2,000
2020 Sagittal synostosis  project Roberts R, Osborn A, Dorstyn D 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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 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 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 Dept. of Social Services 167,106
Program Coordination

Postgraduate (HDR) Coordinator, School of Psychology

 
Course Coordination

Interviewing and Intervention (PSYCHOL 7131, 7231)

Research Project in Health Psychology I and II (PSYCHOL 7244, 7245)

 
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 Health Literacy and its Association with Biopsychosocial Health Outcomes Among People with Spinal Cord Injury. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Georgina Edwards
    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 Exploring the Implications and Health Outcomes associated with loneliness in Neurodivergent Adult Men Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jack Tex Lear
    2022 Co-Supervisor Employing Mind-body Therapies for People with Persistent Pain Post-Stroke Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full 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 Dr 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