BSc(Hons) University Southern Queensland
Karen’s PhD research focuses on evaluating the efficacy of learner driver mentor programs (LDMPs) in relation to the psychosocial, societal and road safety benefits they provide marginalised and disadvantaged learner drivers in regional, rural, remote and urban Australian communities. She is an experienced program coordinator for an LDMP in Queensland and is passionate about improving the road safety of young drivers. Karen’s experience includes participant recruitment, conducting qualitative and quantitative analyses and system literature reviews.
DOCTORAL RESEARCH
“Are learner driver mentor programs associated with changes in perceptions of social inclusion, road safety attitudes and on-road behaviours?”
THESIS SUPERVISORS
Dr Natalie Watson-Brown, Dr David Rodwell, Professor Barry Watson, Adjunct Professor Tony Machin (External Supervisor, USQ), Dr Lyndel Bates (External Supervisor, GU), and Professor Teresa Senserrick (External Supervisor)
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- LDMPs
- Road safety education
- Procedural justice perceptions of young adults and police
- Social inclusion
- Perceptions, attitudes and behaviours of young novice drivers
- Mentor and mentee relationships
PREVIOUS PROJECTS
- Research assistant to AJ George and Julie-Anne Tarr “Addressing Australia’s collaboration ‘problem’: Is there a Brave New World of innovation policy post-COVID?”
- USQ Thesis: “Evaluating the Impact of Learner Driver Mentoring Programs in Australia: A Systematic Literature Review”