Head of School's Welcome

Welcome to the School of Psychological Sciences at The University of Melbourne. Located in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, we are consistently recognised as one of the finest in the world. We aspire to excellence in research, teaching, and public engagement, and our consistently high rankings are an excellent reminder of how well we are performing, our global reputation and our importance to the University and Australian community.

Professor Kristen Pammer, PhD (Psychology)

Welcome to the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences. It’s a privilege to join this outstanding community of students, staff, alumni, and partners and to help shape the next chapter of psychological science at Melbourne.

My career has been about understanding how the brain supports everyday life and learning. I’ve worked on reading and dyslexia, visual attention, and hazard perception in driving - research that has informed road-safety policy, driver training, literacy education, and initiatives for Indigenous education. I’m excited to bring that same focus on real-world impact to MSPS.

What matters most to me is that our School is a place where people thrive. That means exceptional teaching and supervision, evidence-based practice, and a strong culture of inclusion and wellbeing. It also means listening: to our students, to our researchers, to our professional staff, and to the communities we serve.

In the year ahead we’ll sharpen our strengths - supporting world-class research, expanding opportunities for students to learn by doing, and building partnerships across the University, health services, industry, and community organisations. We’ll also keep investing in our people, with mentoring, leadership development, and practical supports that make a difference to daily work and study.

Psychology is central to the big challenges of our time - from mental health and learning - to ethical AI and public safety. I’m proud to lead a School that turns rigorous science into positive change.

I look forward to meeting you on campus, in class, in the clinic, and at our seminars and events. Please say hello.

Professor Kristen Pammer
Head of School, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences

At a glance

  • Cognitive neuroscientist with 25+ years’ experience
  • Research: reading, dyslexia, visual attention, hazard perception
  • 60 peer-reviewed journal articles and two book chapters
  • Honorary (Former Head), School of Psychological Sciences, University of Newcastle (2018–)
  • Leadership: Chair, HODSPA; Secretary, Psychology Foundation of Australia
  • Led curriculum innovation and helped establish HEA qualification in Australia