Section: Overview
Overview
Key publications
Research funding
Supervising & teaching
Career

Key details

Areas of expertise

  • Community mental health & well-being
  • Inclusion and diversity
  • Adult & emerging adult mental health
  • Qualitative research

Available to supervise research students

Not available for media queries

About Jenny Sharples

Jenny's research and practice interests include:

  • strengths based perspectives on mental health and wellness
  • inclusion and diversity
  • working with community organisations on evaluation and development of evidence base for programs and practice.

She is currently working on projects with community partners that aim to promote inclusion and health for young people with diverse backgrounds. Jenny and colleagues also work with the Community Foundation of the Western bulldogs to promote health and inclusion and Jenny works with Dr Kim Shearson on projects that aim to reduce violence against women.

Qualifications

  • BBSc, LTU, Australia, 1980
  • MPsyc (Clinical), LTU, Australia, 1984
  • PhD, UniMelb, Australia, 2004

Key publications

Year Citation
2022 Sharples, J., & Liu, S. T. (220703). Evaluation of VICSEG New Futures Supported Playgroup Program.
2021 Sharples, J., & Grace, K. (210901). Evaluation of VICSEG New Futures Inclusive Schools Program. VICSEG New Futures.
2021 Dadswell, K., Graham, P., Markopolous, M., Sharples, J., & Ball, M. (210616). Young firelighter programs in Australia.

Year Citation
2023 Gill, P. R., Arena, M., Rainbow, C., Hosking, W., Shearson, K. M., Ivey, G., & Sharples, J. (231201). Social connectedness and suicidal ideation: the roles of perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness in the distress to suicidal ideation pathway. BMC Psychology, 11(1),

doi: 10.1186/s40359-023-01338-5

2023 Tacey, A., Behne, J., Patten, R. K., Ngo, M. T., Thomas, R., Ancilleri, J., Bone, C., Castro, A. P., McCarthy, H., & Harkin, K. (230101). Development of a Digital Health Intervention to Support Patients on a Waitlist for Orthopedic Specialist Care: Co-Design Study. JMIR Formative Research, 7(1),

doi: 10.2196/41974

2022 Griffin, L., Hosking, W., Gill, P. R., Shearson, K., Ivey, G., & Sharples, J. (220901). The Gender Paradox: Understanding the Role of Masculinity in Suicidal Ideation. American Journal of Men's Health, 16(5),

doi: 10.1177/15579883221123853

2022 Parker, A., Dash, S., Bourke, M., Patten, R., Craike, M., Baldwin, P., Hosking, W., Levinger, I., Apostolopoulos, V., & de, Courten. (220201). A Brief, Daily, Online Mental Health and Well-being Intervention for University Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Program Description and Outcomes Using a Mixed Methods Design. JMIR Formative Research, 6(2),

doi: 10.2196/35776

2021 Hallam, K. T., Leigh, D., Davis, C., Castle, N., Sharples, J., & Collett, J. D. (210701). Self-care agency and self-care practice in youth workers reduces burnout risk and improves compassion satisfaction. Drug and Alcohol Review, 40(5), (847-855).

doi: 10.1111/dar.13209

2021 Tullett-Prado, D., Stavropoulos, V., Mueller, K., Sharples, J., & Footitt, T. A. (210601). Internet Gaming Disorder profiles and their associations with social engagement behaviours. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 138 (393-403).

doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.04.037

2021 Vassallo, J. S., Shearson, K. M., Dell Aquila, C., & Sharples, J. M. (210101). Outcomes of a Gender-Sensitized Health Behavior Program Delivered Through a Professional Sports Club. Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 22(4), (810-820).

doi: 10.1037/men0000345

Research funding for the past 5 years

Please note:

  • Funding is ordered by the year the project commenced and may continue over several years.
  • Funding amounts for contact research are not disclosed to maintain commercial confidentiality.
  • The order of investigators is not indicative of the role they played in the research project.

Evidence-based youth fire intervention program and resources
From: NSW Natural Hazards Research and Knowledge Funding Stream
Other investigators: Dr Imogen Rehm, Aspr Michelle Ball, Dr Kara Dadswell
For period: 2023-2025
$925,733

Western Bulldogs Community Foundation: Project Schedule 3B of Strategic Partnership Agreement between the Western Bulldogs and Victoria University
From: Western Bulldogs Community Foundation
Other investigators: Dr Kim Shearson
For period: 2021-2022
Not disclosed

Evaluation of the gender equality through the Arts Grants Program
From: VicHealth, VU Internal Funding
Other investigators: Dr Kim Shearson, Aspr Gavin Ivey, Prof Christopher Sonn
For period: 2019-2020
Not disclosed

Rural Enhanced Model Development
From: Murray PHN Limited ABN : 92 156 423 755
For period: 2018-2019
Not disclosed
Western Bulldogs Community Foundation: Activity Schedule 3 of Strategic Partnership Agreement between the Western Bulldogs and Victoria University
From: Western Bulldogs Community Foundation
Other investigators: Dr Kim Shearson, Dr Carolyn Deans
For period: 2018-2022
Not disclosed

Supervision of research students at VU

Available to supervise research students

Not available for media queries

Currently supervised research students at VU

No. of students Study level Role
1 Masters by Research Associate supervisor
5 PhD Principal supervisor

Currently supervised research students at VU

Students & level Role
Masters by Research (1) Associate supervisor
PhD (5) Principal supervisor

Completed supervision of research students at VU

No. of students Study level Role
5 PhD Principal supervisor
1 PhD Associate supervisor

Completed supervision of research students at VU

Students & level Role
PhD (5) Principal supervisor
PhD (1) Associate supervisor

Teaching activities & experience

Jenny is Professor of Psychology, she teaches in the Master of Applied Psychology (Community Psychology) and the Master of Applied Psychology (Clinical Psychology). She supervises research theses in these courses.

  • APM6013 Psychology of Community Health
  • APC6088 Psychopathology and Diagnosis
  • APC7006 Health Psychology

Key academic roles

Dates Role Department / Organisation
May 2010 - Present
Deputy Dean, Faculty of Arts, Education and Human Development
Victoria University
Jul 2012 - Dec 2012
Acting Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts, Education and Human Development
Victoria University
Jul 2016 - Dec 2016
Dean, College of Arts
Victoria University
Apr 2008 - May 2010
Head, School of Social Sciences and Psychology
Victoria University
Jan 2006 - Apr 2008
Head, School of Psychology
Victoria University
Show more academic roles
Dates Role & Department/Organisation
May 2010 -
Present
Deputy Dean, Faculty of Arts, Education and Human Development
Victoria University
Jul 2012 -
Dec 2012
Acting Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts, Education and Human Development
Victoria University
Jul 2016 -
Dec 2016
Dean, College of Arts
Victoria University
Apr 2008 -
May 2010
Head, School of Social Sciences and Psychology
Victoria University
Jan 2006 -
Apr 2008
Head, School of Psychology
Victoria University
Show more academic roles

Key industry, community & government roles

Dates Role Department/Organisation
Oct 2014 - Oct 2019
Chair
College of Community Psychologists National Committee, APS
Dates Role & Department/Organisation
Oct 2014 - Oct 2019
Chair
College of Community Psychologists National Committee, APS

Awards

Year Award
2002

Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research and Research Training – Research Team - Victoria University

Professional memberships

  • Fellow, College of Community Psychologists
  • Fellow, College of Clinical Psychologists
  • Psychologist, Psychology Board of Australia