Dr Jessica Mackelprang

Biography

Background: Dr. Mackelprang earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Nova Southeastern University (USA) and completed postdoctoral fellowships at centers affiliated with the University of Washington. As a Clinical Fellow of Rehabilitation Psychology at Harborview Medical Center, she delivered consultation-liaison services and psychotherapy for trauma survivors across the lifespan, as well as for individuals living with chronic illnesses. As a Senior Research Fellow at the Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, she investigated trauma-related outcomes (e.g., suicidality) among survivors of traumatic brain injury and studied traumatic brain injury and health service utilisation among people experiencing homelessness. Prior to joining Swinburne in 2017, she was an Affiliate Faculty Member in the Department of Psychology at Seattle University.

Research interests: Broadly speaking, Dr. Mackelprang’s research investigates physical (e.g., traumatic brain injury) and psychological trauma among marginalised populations  (e.g., people experiencing homelessness), including suicidality, and the frontline workers who serve them. Her work aims to reduce inequities in health service access and health outcome inequities among these populations. She also studies equity in academia and topics related to improving training in postgraduate psychology. Dr. Mackelprang is interested in technology-informed solutions to deliver mental health interventions, to improve healthcare care continuity, and to optimise outcomes among populations who have difficulty accessing services as a result of physical disability, housing instability, or geographic remoteness. Her research involves a combination of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods and has involved data from self-report surveys, interviews, administrative health records, and neuropsychological testing.

Professional service: Dr. Mackelprang is Deputy Chair (Professional Programs) in the Department of Psychological Sciences, Deputy Leader for the Swinburne Women's Academic Network (SWAN) Promotions Program, Past Chair of the Swinburne Indigenous Psychology Committee, a Member of the Australian Indigenous Psychology Educaton Project's (AIPEP) Community of Practice, and an Associate Editor for Clinical Psychologist. She is also an Affiliate Member of the Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center (Seattle, USA) and an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow (Global and Engagement) at Federation University.