Language and literacy difficulties are the most common learning difficulties in Australia, and individuals with language and literacy difficulties are vulnerable to mental health problems. Language and literacy difficulties are also associated with youth suicide, delinquency, and incarceration. However, why these difficulties are associated with poor psychosocial outcomes is unclear, and current evidence-based psychological interventions (‘talking therapies’) are not accessible for youth who struggle with language and literacy. The proposed PhD project will be embedded within a well-funded research program (MRFF, Healthway, Speech Pathology Australia, DLD Project) that seeks to address these challenges.
Aim
Our Research Group focuses broadly on youth mental health and wellbeing. The overarching aim is to develop and evaluate evidence-based interventions promoting mental health among youth and their families. A particular focus is on identifying risk and protective factors associated with mental health in the context of language difficulties and developing accessible interventions.
Objectives
Two example projects are outlined below, but the PhD will be developed with the candidate’s input. There is significant flexibility in topic, as long as the PhD is in the scope of language/literacy difficulties and mental health.
1) Evaluation of efficacy and accessibility of existing mental health interventions for youth with language difficulties
Our aim over the next few years is to co-design and evaluate mental health programs accessible for children with language and literacy difficulties. There is scope for multiple studies within this broader program of research.
For example, assessing the language and literacy demands of current mental health programs; conducting workshops with children with language/literacy difficulties, their families, and service providers to identify specific barriers to accessing content of current mental health programs; adapting existing intervention to make them more accessible or developing new interventions specifically designed for youth with language and literacy difficulties; and working with pre-service psychology and speech pathology students to ensure that knowledge regarding links between language/literacy difficulties and mental health is taken out into the clinical workforce on graduation. The selected candidate could use a range of methodologies to address this important gap in service delivery, including literature reviews, co-design approaches, qualitative interviews and focus groups, and quantitative analyses to test the efficacy of new or adapted programs.
2) Supporting language/literacy and mental health among children disengaged from mainstream education.
We have an existing relationship with several Curriculum and Re-engagement in Education (CARE) schools in WA, which could provide an opportunity to examine links between language skills and mental health within the CARE school system, as well as opportunities to work with teachers on how best to support and scaffold language and mental health within their classrooms.
CARE schools educate students with severe difficulty accessing mainstream curriculum. Along with significant social issues, poor language and literacy is a major concern in CARE schools. Understanding links between literacy and mental health in this context may assist in re-engaging extremely vulnerable students with mainstream education. The successful candidate could profile the language skills and mental health of adolescents enrolled in CARE schools using validated language assessments and mental health measures. Building on this, the candidate could conduct in depth qualitative interviews with students and teachers. Interviews could be thematically analysed with the aim of identifying malleable risk and protective factors that could become intervention targets. Finally, detailed interviews with teachers could also highlight how best to support teachers in scaffolding language needs in their classrooms, the candidate could develop and evaluate resources to help teachers support the language needs of children in their classrooms.
However, these are all just examples of the types of studies that could be conducted, but the PhD will be developed in conjunction with the successful candidate.
Significance
This research conducted as part of this PhD will further understanding of associations between language/literacy difficulties and social and emotional wellbeing and result in the development of effective and accessible mental health interventions. Our research in this area has been developed in direct collaboration with clinicians and service providers, who have identified psychosocial support for children with language/literacy difficulties as a rapidly growing area of need, with increasing demand for services. This project addresses clear inequities in service access for youth with language and literacy difficulties, improving mental health support and preventing psychological distress for individuals who often fall through the crack of education and mental health services.
Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a self-motivated PhD candidate with and undergraduate degree in Psychology, or another related field (e.g. Speech Pathology, Education), excellent organisation, problem-solving, and project management skills. The candidate must be eligible to enrol in PhD programs at Curtin. Additionally, the applicants should meet the eligibility criteria for entry into a PhD program at Curtin University.
This project is open to Domestic applicants only.
Internship
Through this project you will also have an internship opportunity. Our research in this area has been developed in direct collaboration with clinicians and service providers, who have identified psychosocial support for children with language/literacy difficulties as a rapidly growing area of need, with increasing demand for services. Partners include the Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation, Fremantle Speech Pathology Services, MultiLit, and the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia. All of these partners would be able to provide excellent internship opportunities.
Scholarship
If you are identified as the preferred candidate for this project, you may be considered for an RTP scholarship.
Enquires and How to Apply
For enquires about this opportunity contact Professor Mark Boyes at Mark.Boyes@curtin.edu.au
To formally apply submit an Expression of Interest to Professor Mark Boyes during the Central Scholarship round (July 1st – July 31st 2026)