Emily Mullins

Emily Mullins

Higher Degree by Research Candidate

School of Psychology

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

I am a PhD Candidate and Tutor in the School of Psychology.

My research investigates the spread of (mis)information and the underlying mechanisms that lead to someone sharing information. I am particularly interested in how emotional arousal and social motives influence this behaviour.

PhD Topic: Sharing Misinformation: The Socio-Psychological Mechanisms of Spread

The spread of misinformation and fake news is not a new phenomenon. Rumour, gossip, and urban legends are examples of misleading information by another name. What has changed is the speed, breadth, and volume of the spread of misinformation in societies. Such changes are problematic to the extent that misinformation unduly affects people’s beliefs or behaviours related to important issues such as health or medical advice, or trust in governments or organisations. To combat the spread of misinformation, it is essential to understand the factors which cause people to spread it. My PhD aims to explore how emotional arousal and social motives influence information and misinformation sharing.

I am working under the supervision of Dr Rachel Stephens, Associate Professor Carolyn Semmler, Dr Rachel Searston and Dr Martin Wood (Defence Science and Technology Group).

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2023 - ongoing Research Assistant University of Adelaide
    2022 - ongoing Marker University of Adelaide
    2022 - ongoing Tutor University of Adelaide

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2022 University of Adelaide Australia PhD Candidate
    2021 - 2021 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Psychological Science (First Class Honours)
    2020 - 2020 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Psychological Science (Graduate Entry)
    2014 - 2019 Queensland University of Technology Australia Bachelor of Urban Development (Honours)

  • Research Interests
    People, behaviour and choices Psychology Psychology and Cognitive Sciences Social Psychology

2022

Marker: Psychology 1A (School of Psychology)

Tutor & Marker: Psychology 1B (School of Psychology)

2023

Tutor & Marker: Psychology 1A (School of Psychology)

Marker: Psychology 1B (School of Psychology)

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