Better Thinking

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with John Sweller about The Cognitive Load Theory which suggests that learning happens best under conditions that are aligned with human cognitive architecture. John Sweller is an educational psychologist and Emeritus Professor at the University of New South Wales. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Adelaide’s Department of Psychology in 1972. He is best known for formulating cognitive load theory, which uses our knowledge of evolutionary psychology and human cognitive architecture as a base for instructional design. The theory is one of the most highly-cited educational psychology theories. It is a contributor to both research and debate on issues associated with human cognition, its links to evolution by natural selection, and the instructional consequences that follow. Based on hundreds of randomized controlled studies carried out by many investigators from around the globe, cognitive load theory has generated a large range of novel instructional procedures. John has authored over 200 academic publications and is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia. Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/john-swellerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Professor David Blustein about the complexities surrounding the psychology of working and its profound impact on mental health, while shedding light on the challenges posed by work poverty. Dr Blustein is a Professor and Golden Eagle Faculty Fellow in the Department of Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology at Boston College. Dr. Blustein is the author of The Psychology of Working: A New Perspective for Career Development, Counseling, and Public Policy and The Importance of Work in an Age of Uncertainty: The Eroding Experience of Work in America. He has been instrumental in developing psychology of working theory, which represents an inclusive and social justice-informed perspective on the role of work in people's lives and in their communities. Dr. Blustein has contributed numerous articles and book chapters on psychology of working theory, unemployment, career development/counseling, psychotherapy, decent work, dignity at work, precarious work, relationships and work, social class, race, and other aspects of contemporary working. He also has consulted with national and international organizations, such as the International Labor Organization, OECD, and the United Nations Development Program. Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/david-blusteinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Rob Brooks about the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence on reshaping human sexual perspectives and interactions and how it revolutionizes our understanding in the realm of human sexuality. Rob Brooks, a Scientia Professor of Evolution at UNSW Sydney. He both founded and directed from 2007 to 2019 the Evolution and Ecology Research Centre. His research mostly considers the conflicting evolutionary interests that make sex sizzle and render reproduction complicated. He has won Australia’s most prestigious award for science communication, the Eureka Prize, and is the author of Sex, Genes and Rock ’n’ Roll: How evolution has shaped the modern world, which won the Queensland Literary Award for Science Writing. He has also written Artificial Intimacy: Virtual friends, digital lovers and algorithmic matchmakers which is the basis of todays conversation. This book considers humanity’s evolved capacities for friendship, love, and intimacy, and what happens when they encounter new technologies like AI, social media, online dating, and virtual reality sex. Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/rob-brooksSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Susie Burke about the role that psychology can play in helping us understand the causes, impacts and solutions to climate change and other environmental threats. Dr Susie Burke is a psychologist, Adjunct Associate Professor (University of Queensland), researcher, writer, and climate change campaigner with a background in conflict resolution, disaster psychology, parenting issues, and environmental issues. In addition to working with individuals, couples and parents as a psychologist, Dr Burke also consults to councils, groups and organisations and runs workshops to help people cope with and come to terms with climate change and disasters. For 17 years Dr Burke was a senior psychologist at the Australian Psychological Society and developed resources, training programs and workshops on a variety of social issues including: refugee issues, bullying, children's wellbeing after parental separation, homelessness, Indigenous issues, racism, climate change and disasters, LGBTI issues, violence and conflict, gambling, the future of work, and cyberpsychology. As a researcher and writer, Dr Burke’s current interest are focused on the role that psychology plays in helping us understand the causes, impacts and solutions to climate change and other environmental threats, including natural disasters. Dr Burke have authored a number of resources including the Psychological First Aid Handbook, the Climate Change Empowerment Handbook, and other materials on coping with climate change, raising children for a climate altered world, and disaster preparedness and recovery. Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/susie-burkeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Professor Andrew Martin about the intricate dynamics of Student Motivation, Engagement, and Achievement. Together, they delve deep into the strategies and challenges of "Putting The Horse Before The Cart," shedding light on the crucial steps needed to ensure academic success and personal growth. Andrew Martin, BA (Hons), MEd (Hons), PhD, is Scientia Professor, Professor of Educational Psychology, and Chair of the Educational Psychology Research Group in the School of Education at the University of New South Wales, Australia. He is also Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Education at the University of Oxford and a Registered Psychologist (Psychology Board of Australia). Andrew is recognized for his research on student motivation, engagement, learning, and achievement. His research bridges other disciplines, investigating motivation and engagement in sport, music, and work. Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/andrew-martinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Andrew Amos about the complexities and concerns surrounding gender-affirming care. This discussion delves into the psychiatric perspective on this important and often debated topic. Dr Andrew Amos is Director of Training – Psychiatry for North Queensland, Deputy Editor of Australasian Psychiatry, and Chairs the RANZCP’s Section of Rural Psychiatry (QLD), and the eLearning Advisory Group. With the North Queensland Regional Training Advisory Group, Dr Amos has been building a psychiatric training network leveraging contributions from the regional training hubs supported by James Cook University and University of Queensland, with a focus on effective videoconference based workshops. Dr Amos has been deeply involved with the development of the RANZCP’s eLearning infrastructure, including podcasts, webinars, and online training materials for psychiatric consultants and psychiatrists in training. The suspension of in-person instruction with the onset of the covid pandemic led to the expansion of networked learning from regional/rural to metropolitan trainees, necessitating the development of a new framework for the delivery of high quality online instruction. Dr Amos is completing a PhD using data mining techniques to analyse the entire corpus of the published psychiatric literature and make it available in a form useful for curriculum design and maintenance. Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/andrew-amosSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Genevieve Rayner about the intricate interplay of neurobiology and psychosocial factors contributing to mood and cognitive disorders in epilepsy and other neurological conditions. Dr Genevieve Rayner is a practicing clinical neuropsychologist and lecturer in clinical neuropsychology at the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences. As a clinician-scientist, she balances her clinical and academic work with her role as a senior neuropsychology research fellow in a world-leading epilepsy research genetics group at the Epilepsy Genetics Research Program. Her program of research aims to explore the neurobiological and psychosocial underpinnings of mood and cognitive disorders in epilepsy and other neurological conditions, using behavioural, neuroimaging, and genetics methodologies. Genevieve is a member of the Next Generation Task Force of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), a founding member and secretary of the ILAE's Young Epilepsy Section (YES), and a member of the Research and Training Subcommittee of the Epilepsy Society of Australia. She is also a YES representative for the 13th Asian and Oceanic Epilepsy Congress Organising Committee. Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/genevieve-raynerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr James Dunn about strategies that support superior face identification accuracy and contextual influences on face identification as well as his most interesting research on Super-recognisers which he has been studying using the UNSW Face Test. James Dunn is a Lecturer in the School of Psychology at UNSW Sydney. Current areas of interest include face and person recognition, forensic science and individual differences with both applied and theory-inspired research using behavioural methods, machine learning and eye-tracking. Previous and current research projects: person-in-crowd identification, the strategies supporting superior face identification accuracy, and contextual influences on face identification. Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/james-dunnSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Kelly Clemens about the intricate realms of addiction neuroscience, including behavioural neuroscience of nicotine dependence as well as the epigenetic consequences of drug addiction. Kelly Clemens is an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology, and Associate Dean of Impact Partnerships for the Faculty of Science, UNSW. Kelly has studied at the University of Otago and the University of Sydney, with post-doctoral experience at the University of Bordeaux, France, and Macquarie University, Sydney, before establishing her own laboratory at UNSW in 2012. Her research focuses on the causes and consequences of drug addiction, spanning basic science through to translational and industry engagement. Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/kelly-clemensSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Mark Horowitz about exploring expert strategies for tapering off SSRIs and managing withdrawal symptoms. Dr Mark Horowitz MBBS PhD is a Clinical Research Fellow in Psychiatry in the National Health Service (NHS) in England and an Honorary Research Fellow at University College London (UCL) and a trainee psychiatrist. He runs a deprescribing clinic in the NHS helping people to stop psychiatric medications. He co-authored the Royal College of Psychiatry guidance on “Stopping Antidepressants”, and his work informed the recent National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines on safe discontinuation of psychiatric medications. He also published work on how to safely taper antipsychotics in JAMA Psychiatry and Schizophrenia Bulletin. He has authored chapters of the Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines on how to stop mood stabilisers, antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, z-drugs and gabapentinoids. He is currently writing the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines in Psychiatry which will be published in 2023. He is Co-Investigator on the RELEASE trial in Australia evaluating the effect of gradual, hyperbolic tapering of antidepressants compared to care as usual. He has an interest in rational psychopharmacology and deprescribing psychiatric medication. He has experienced the difficulty of coming off psychiatric medications first-hand which has informed much of his work. His work can be found at https://markhorowitz.org/ Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/mark-horowitzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.