
PhD (Monash University)
Dr Kate Young investigates how the diverse psychosocial health needs of women and children can be met within and outside of the Australian healthcare system. Kate’s background in psychology and public health informs her unique and creative approach to this research. From in-depth interviews and Photovoice to population-based surveys and randomised-controlled trails, she has wide range of skill and experience in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Kate is particularly interested in the production of knowledge about the human body, who defines which knowledge to be ‘true,’ and the influence of gender on these social processes. She has explored these interests within gynaecology, maternity, palliative, and paediatric cancer settings. Her recent doctoral research on the psychosocial aspects of endometriosis from the perspectives of women and their doctors—funded by competitive postgraduate scholarships from the National Health and Medical Research Council and Australian Rotary Health—resulted in six scholarly publications in esteemed Australian and international medical and health journals, has informed various translation pieces (e.g. Safe Work Australia’s, ‘Supporting workers with endometriosis in the workplace’), and was heavily featured in the recent popular press book, Pain and Prejudice, published by Allen & Unwin. Kate’s current fellowship sees her leading Stage 2 of the ‘Survivorship and Palliative Care in Child and Adolescent Brain Cancer’ project within the Centre for Child and Adolescent Brain Cancer Research. Working with families, she will use novel research methods to scope their psychosocial healthcare needs. This research will cumulate in the co-development of an intervention to improve family experiences and outcomes. Kate is also a skilled science communicator having been interviewed about her research across a range of media outlets including ABC Radio National and The Drum, and having been a freelance writer including for The Guardian and SBS Online. You can find her on Twitter at @Researcher_Kate.
Projects
- Childhood brain cancer cOuNselliNg and EduCation supporT Service (CONNECTS)
- Survivorship and Palliative Care in Child and Adolescent Brain Cancer (CASPER)
Additional information
- Young, K., Fisher, J. & Kirkman, M. (2020). Partners instead of patients: Women negotiating power and knowledge within medical encounters for endometriosis. Feminism and Psychology, 30(1), 22–41. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/137009
- Young, K., Fisher, J. & Kirkman, M. (2019). “Do mad people get endo or does endo make you mad?”: Clinicians’ discursive constructions of Medicine and women with endometriosis. Feminism and Psychology, 29(3), 337–356. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/136613
- Young, K., Kirkman, M., Holton, S., Rowe, H. & Fisher, J. (2018). Fertility experiences in women reporting endometriosis: Findings from the Understanding Fertility Management in Contemporary Australia survey. The European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care, 23(6), 434–440. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/136614/
- Young, K., Fisher, J. & Kirkman, M. (2017). Clinicians’ perceptions of women's experiences of endometriosis and of psychosocial care for endometriosis. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 57(1), 87–92.
- Hammarberg, K., Collins, V., Holden, C., Young, K. & McLachlan, R. (2017). Men's knowledge, attitudes and behaviours relating to fertility. Human Reproduction Update, 23(4), 458–480.
- Kirkman, M., Young, K., Evans, S., Millar, J., Fisher, J., Mazza, D. & Ruseckaite, R. (2017). Men's perceptions of prostate cancer diagnosis and care: Insights from qualitative interviews in Victoria, Australia. BMC Cancer, 17, 1–12.
- Young, K., Fisher, J. & Kirkman, M. (2016). Endometriosis and fertility: women's accounts of healthcare. Human Reproduction, 31(3), 554–562.
- Young, K., Fisher, J. & Kirkman, M. (2015). Women's experiences of endometriosis: A systematic review and synthesis of qualitative research. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, 41(3), 225–234.
- Young, K. & Kruske, S. (2013). How valid are the common concerns raised against water birth? A focused review of the literature. Women and Birth, 26(2), 105–109. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/196780/
- Kruske, S., Young, K., Jenkinson, B. & Catchlove, A. (2013). Maternity care providers' perceptions of women's autonomy and the law. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 13, 1–6.