Johanna Badcock

Jo Badcock is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia and Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science. Her research aims to get a better understanding of the causes and consequences of loneliness to inform policy, practice and professional training.

Over the last 8 years Professor Badcock has held numerous roles with Ending Loneliness Together - Australia's peak body tackling loneliness and social isolation.

Now based in Tasmania, Jo serves as a scientific advisor and research consultant for local, national and international organisations tackling loneliness and mental health including the technical advisory group, Guidance on Mental Health Policies & Strategic Action Plans for the World Health Organization, the French Federation for Social Connection, the Canadian Alliance for Social Connection and Health, and Pharmacy Addressing Loneliness and Social Isolation.

In 2021 she co-founded the Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection - an international not-for-profit organisation focused on raising global awareness of the scale and significance of loneliness; encouraging global knowledge sharing to improve impact and reach; and supporting national, systemic frameworks and strategies to end loneliness and promote social connection.