Award for researcher at front line of mental health

Psychiatry

The University of Adelaide's Professor Alexander (Sandy) McFarlane has been recognised by the prestigious Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists for his outstanding mental health research.

Professor McFarlane was awarded the College's Organon Senior Research Award for the most significant contribution to psychiatric research over the past five years in Australia and New Zealand.

Professor McFarlane is internationally renowned as an expert on the impact of disasters and post traumatic stress disorder, and is the Head of the University of Adelaide node of the Centre of Military and Veterans' Health.

"This very gratifying award is not just an acknowledgement of my work but of my research team, headed by Ms Miranda van Hooff, and my research collaborators on the NHMRC program grant," said Professor McFarlane.

Professor McFarlane has made a significant international mark on the field of traumatic stress, both in his contribution to the clinical and social needs of victims, and to the academic research community.

He was responsible for highlighting the impacts on people affected by the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfire disaster, pioneering ongoing longitudinal studies, and, since then, has been involved in researching and advising on many disasters around the world.

He is one of the most cited researchers in traumatic stress, with more than 250 articles in refereed journals and book chapters, and is the co-editor of three books.

He has broadened his work on post traumatic stress disorder in disaster victims, military personnel and civilian accident victims to severe mental illness, with a particular interest in the impact of childhood trauma and adult adjustment.

Professor McFarlane played a central role in the establishment of the Centre for Military and Veteran's Health. This is a consortium of the University of Queensland, University of Adelaide and Charles Darwin University and provides continuing professional development for defence force personnel and research expertise in the health surveillance of deployed Australian troops and other areas.

Story by Robyn Mills