Steph is a Research Fellow at The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use. Steph leads an innovative program of research and translation to reduce the impact of substance use. Her research aims to improve the health outcomes for individuals, families and communities especially among vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. Steph is passionate about addressing the stigma and discrimination associated with alcohol and drug use.
Steph leads a number of innovative digital projects including 1) Cracks in the Ice, a National Online Portal funded by the Australian Government Department of Health to develop and disseminate evidence-based resources about crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’) for the Australian Community; 2) The Illicit Project an interactive, neuroscience-based harm reduction program that aims to upskill Australian young people in alcohol and drug use harm minimisation. She also works closely in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to co-develop and disseminate culturally appropriate resources to prevent and reduce the impact of substance use (e.g. crystal methamphetamine, nicotine) among communities.
Experience
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2019–presentResearch Fellow, University of Sydney
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2018–2019Postdoctoral research fellow, University of New South Wales
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2016–2017Technical Officer/Consultant, World Health Organisation
Education
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2015University of South Australia, Graduate Certificate in Population Health Practice
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2015University of South Australia, PhD
Publications
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2023JMIR Medical Education, Can we use ChatGPT for Mental Health & Substance Use Education? A viewpoint examining the quality and potential harms
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2023Drug and Alcohol Review, Media reporting on alcohol and other drugs in Australia and the Mindframe guidelines: Baseline data.
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2021International Journal of Drug Policy, Stigma, discrimination and crystal methamphetamine ('ice'): Current attitudes in Australia
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2021Journal of Medical Internet Research, Evaluation of a Digital Health Initiative in Illicit Substance Use: Cross-sectional Survey Study
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2019. Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin, Review of methamphetamine use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Professional Memberships
- Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association
- Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol & Other Drugs
- International Society for Research on Internet Interventions
- Mental Ill-Health Stigma Researchers Australia
- European Society for Prevention Research
- Sydney, Australia
- Website
- @kershaw_steph
- Article Feed
- ORCID
- Joined
