Dr Edwards is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education where she is currently the Director of Research Innovation and Higher Degree Research. Her research spans education, psychology and medical education and her collaborators are national and international experts in these disciplines. Dr Edwards has an international reputation for contributing to understanding the link between anxiety, attention, and memory. Her work supports the notion that an inability to efficiently process information and maintain concentration, plays a critical role in the development and maintenance of emotional disorders.
Dr Edwards' latest work focusses on the translation of theory-driven, basic science into treatments for clinical problems, specifically for children and adolescents. For example, her research laboratory is currently conducting a series of studies investigating whether training the cognitive processes most vulnerable to anxiety and depression can in turn reduce emotional symptoms in children and adolescents. This work also seeks to understand the influence of cognitive training on academic achievement.
Dr Edwards completed a PhD and an honours degree in psychology (Bond University), and an undergraduate degree in education (Griffith University). For over two decades, she has worked as a primary classroom teacher, special education teacher, guidance counsellor, and psychologist. She has taught and supervised clinical, professional and research skills in education, psychology and medicine and worked in higher education in the United Kingdom and Australia. Dr Edwards joined The University of Queensland in 2020 to teach into the Master of Educational Studies (Guidance, Counselling and Careers).
Journal Article: Mindfulness-based interventions for stress and burnout in teachers: a systematic review
Hidajat, Tarissa J., Edwards, Elizabeth J., Wood, Rachel and Campbell, Marilyn (2023). Mindfulness-based interventions for stress and burnout in teachers: a systematic review. Teaching and Teacher Education, 134 104303, 104303. doi: 10.1016/j.tate.2023.104303
Journal Article: Association between sleep quality and social media use in Australian adults
Khan, Asaduzzaman, McLeod, Geoffrey, Hidajat, Tarissa and Edwards, Elizabeth J. (2023). Association between sleep quality and social media use in Australian adults. Australian Psychologist, ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), 1-7. doi: 10.1080/00050067.2023.2206948
Conference Publication: Cognitive control training for reduction of anxiety and depression in children
Edwards, Elizabeth, Wynne, Jeffery, Kermani, Hananeh and Hoorelbeke, Kristof (2023). Cognitive control training for reduction of anxiety and depression in children. 10th World Congress of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, Seoul, Sth Korea, 1-4 June 2023.
Inhibitory control training for anxiety and math achievement in primary-school children
(2023–2024) Spencer Foundation Research Grants on Education: Small
(2022–2023) Education Horizon
Academic advice for departmental research projects
(2022) Queensland Department of Education
Competency-based teaching of procedural skills for medical students using an evidenced-based pedagogical framework
Doctor Philosophy
Social-Emotional Competence: A Multidimensional Perspective in Vietnamese Schools
Doctor Philosophy
Bridging the gender gap in mental health literacy
Doctor Philosophy
Mindfulness-based interventions for stress and burnout in teachers: a systematic review
Hidajat, Tarissa J., Edwards, Elizabeth J., Wood, Rachel and Campbell, Marilyn (2023). Mindfulness-based interventions for stress and burnout in teachers: a systematic review. Teaching and Teacher Education, 134 104303, 104303. doi: 10.1016/j.tate.2023.104303
Association between sleep quality and social media use in Australian adults
Khan, Asaduzzaman, McLeod, Geoffrey, Hidajat, Tarissa and Edwards, Elizabeth J. (2023). Association between sleep quality and social media use in Australian adults. Australian Psychologist, ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), 1-7. doi: 10.1080/00050067.2023.2206948
Khan, Asaduzzaman, Reyad, Md Amjad Hossain, Edwards, Elizabeth and Horwood, Sharon (2023). Associations between adolescent sleep difficulties and active versus passive screen time across 38 countries. Journal of Affective Disorders, 320, 298-304. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.09.137
Examining the association between sports participation and mental health of adolescents
Khan, Asaduzzaman, Ahmed, Kazi R., Hidajat, Tarissa and Edwards, Elizabeth J. (2022). Examining the association between sports participation and mental health of adolescents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (24) 17078, 1-11. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192417078
Executive function and visual attention in sport: a systematic review
Brimmell, Jack, Edwards, Elizabeth J. and Vaughan, Robert S. (2022). Executive function and visual attention in sport: a systematic review. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 1-34. doi: 10.1080/1750984x.2022.2145574
Edwards, Elizabeth J., Zhang, Xiaohan, Chu, Khanh Linh, Cosgrove, Louise K. and Vaughan, Robert S. (2022). Explaining individual differences in cognitive performance: the role of anxiety, social support and living arrangements during COVID-19. Personality and Individual Differences, 198 111826, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2022.111826
Edwards, Elizabeth J., Taylor, Caitlin S. and Vaughan, Robert S. (2022). Individual differences in self-esteem and social anxiety predict problem smartphone use in adolescents. School Psychology International, 43 (5), 460-476. doi: 10.1177/01430343221111061
Green, Patricia, Edwards, Elizabeth J. and Tower, Marion (2022). Core procedural skills competencies and the maintenance of procedural skills for medical students: a Delphi study. BMC Medical Education, 22 (1) 259, 259. doi: 10.1186/s12909-022-03323-9
Cognitive control training for children with anxiety and depression: A systematic review
Edwards, Elizabeth J., Zec, Dajana, Campbell, Marilyn, Hoorelbeke, Kristof, Koster, Ernst, H. W., Derakshan, Nazanin and Wynne, Jeffrey (2022). Cognitive control training for children with anxiety and depression: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 300, 158-171. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.12.108
Teaching brief motivational interviewing to medical students using a pedagogical framework
Edwards, Elizabeth J., Arora, Bharti, Green, Patricia, Bannatyne, Amy J. and Nielson, Tracy (2022). Teaching brief motivational interviewing to medical students using a pedagogical framework. Patient Education and Counseling, 105 (7), 2315-2319. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2022.01.012
Think, see, do: Executive function, visual attention, and soccer penalty performance
Brimmell, Jack, Edwards, Elizabeth J., Smith, Martin and Vaughan, Robert S. (2021). Think, see, do: Executive function, visual attention, and soccer penalty performance. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 10 (2), 290-309. doi: 10.1037/spy0000265
Reflection-impulsivity in athletes: A cross-sectional and longitudinal investigation
Vaughan, Robert S., Hagyard, Jack D., Edwards, Elizabeth J. and Jackson, Robin C. (2021). Reflection-impulsivity in athletes: A cross-sectional and longitudinal investigation. European Journal of Sport Science, 21 (10), 1-12. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2020.1861106
Vaughan, Robert S., Edwards, Elizabeth J. and McIntyre, Tadhg E. (2020). Mental health measurement in a post Covid-19 world: psychometric properties and invariance of the DASS-21 in athletes and non-athletes. Frontiers in Psychology, 11 590559, 590559. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.590559
The effect of trait emotional intelligence on working memory across athletic expertise
Vaughan, R. S., Hagyard, J. D., Brimmell, J. and Edwards, E. J. (2020). The effect of trait emotional intelligence on working memory across athletic expertise . Journal of Sports Sciences, 39 (6), 1-9. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2020.1840039
Inhibitory control across athletic expertise and its relationship with sport performance
Hagyard, J. D., Brimmel, J., Edwards, E. J. and Vaughan, R. S. (2020). Inhibitory control across athletic expertise and its relationship with sport performance. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 43 (1), 14-27. doi: 10.1123/jsep.2020-0043
Executive function and personality: the moderating role of athletic expertise
Vaughan, Robert S. and Edwards, Elizabeth J. (2020). Executive function and personality: the moderating role of athletic expertise. Personality and Individual Differences, 161 109973, 109973. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2020.109973
Transition from an MBBS to an MD program – Using innovation and thinking outside the square
Smith, Janie Dade, Edwards, Elizabeth, Jones, Peter D, Cheek, Colleen and Hays, Richard B (2019). Transition from an MBBS to an MD program – Using innovation and thinking outside the square. MedEdPublish, 8 (3), 197. doi: 10.15694/mep.2019.000197.1
The link between anxiety and cognitive performance: What we know a decade on
Edwards, Elizabeth J. and Edwards, Mark S. (2018). The link between anxiety and cognitive performance: What we know a decade on. The Cognitive Psychology Bulletin, 3, 11-13.
Twelve tips for teaching brief motivational interviewing to medical students
Edwards, Elizabeth J., Bannatyne, Amy J. and Stark, Ashley C. (2018). Twelve tips for teaching brief motivational interviewing to medical students. Medical Teacher, 40 (3), 231-236. doi: 10.1080/0142159X.2017.1369503
Cognitive trait anxiety, stress and effort interact to predict inhibitory control
Edwards, Mark S., Edwards, Elizabeth J. and Lyvers, Michael (2017). Cognitive trait anxiety, stress and effort interact to predict inhibitory control. Cognition and Emotion, 31 (4), 671-686. doi: 10.1080/02699931.2016.1152232
Edwards, Elizabeth J., Edwards, Mark S. and Lyvers, Michael (2016). Interrelationships between trait anxiety, situational stress and mental effort predict phonological processing efficiency, but not effectiveness. Emotion, 16 (5), 634-646. doi: 10.1037/emo0000138
Edwards, Elizabeth J., Edwards, Mark S. and Lyvers, Michael (2016). Individual differences in trait anxiety and goal-commitment predict updating efficiency on the reading span task. Motivation and Emotion, 40 (6), 936-945. doi: 10.1007/s11031-016-9572-8
Edwards, Elizabeth J., Edwards, Mark S. and Lyvers, Michael (2015). Cognitive trait anxiety, situational stress, and mental effort predict shifting efficiency: implications for attentional control theory. Emotion, 15 (3), 350-359. doi: 10.1037/emo0000051
Edwards, Elizabeth J., Stapleton, Peta, Williams, Kelly and Ball, Lauren (2015). Building skills, knowledge and confidence in eating and exercise behavior change: brief motivational interviewing training for healthcare providers. Patient Education and Counseling, 98 (5), 674-676. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2015.02.006
Edwards, Mark S., Moore, Philippa, Champion, James C. and Edwards, Elizabeth J. (2015). Effects of trait anxiety and situational stress on attentional shifting are buffered by working memory capacity. Anxiety, Stress and Coping, 28 (1), 1-16. doi: 10.1080/10615806.2014.911846
Cognitive control training for reduction of anxiety and depression in children
Edwards, Elizabeth, Wynne, Jeffery, Kermani, Hananeh and Hoorelbeke, Kristof (2023). Cognitive control training for reduction of anxiety and depression in children. 10th World Congress of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, Seoul, Sth Korea, 1-4 June 2023.
Preliminary work in cognitive control training for reduction of anxiety and depression in children
Edwards, E. J., Boyne, N. and Hoorelbeke, K. (2019). Preliminary work in cognitive control training for reduction of anxiety and depression in children. British Psychological Society Division of Counselling Psychology Conference, Cardiff, Wales, 28-29 June 2019.
Executive function and athlete expertise: A longitudinal study over a playing season
Vaughan, R. S., Hagyard, J. D., Edwards, E. J. and Smith, M. M. (2018). Executive function and athlete expertise: A longitudinal study over a playing season. British Association of Sport and Exercise Science 2018, Harrogate, United Kingdom, 27-28 November 2018.
Individual differences in self-esteem and social anxiety predict nomophobia in adolescents
Taylor, C. and Edwards, E. J. (2018). Individual differences in self-esteem and social anxiety predict nomophobia in adolescents. British Psychological Society Division of Counselling Psychology Conference 2018, Newcastle, United Kingdom, 6-7 July 2018.
Edwards, M. S., Edwards, E. J. and Needham, K. (2017). Decisions under pressure: Relationship between trait anxiety and situation stress on performance of an analogical reasoning task. 34th Annual British Psychology Society Cognitive Psychology Section Conference, Newcastle, United Kingdom, 30 August- 1 September 2017.
Effort buffers memory shortfalls in anxious individuals
Edwards, E. J., Edwards, M. S. and Lyvers, M. (2017). Effort buffers memory shortfalls in anxious individuals. 34th Annual British Psychology Society Cognitive Psychology Section Conference, Newcastle, United Kingdom, 30 August- 1 September 2017.
Needham, K., Edwards, E. J., Edwards, M. S. and Lyvers, M. (2017). Trait anxiety and situation stress interact to predict planning efficiency on the Tower of London task. 34th Annual British Psychology Society Cognitive Psychology Section Conference, Newcastle, United Kingdom, 30 August- 1 September 2017.
Should brief motivational interviewing training be included in medical curricula?
Edwards, E. and Arora, B. (2016). Should brief motivational interviewing training be included in medical curricula? . 14th International Congress of Behavioral Medicine, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 7-10 December 2016. New York, NY United States: Springer.
Should brief motivational interviewing training be included in medical curricula?
Edwards, E. and Arora, B. (2016). Should brief motivational interviewing training be included in medical curricula?. *, *, *. New York, NY, United States: Springer.
Cognitive trait anxiety and updating efficiency: Differences in motivation on a reading span task
Edwards, E. J., Edwards, M. S. and Lyvers, M. (2015). Cognitive trait anxiety and updating efficiency: Differences in motivation on a reading span task. 33nd Annual British Psychology Society Cognitive Psychology Section Conference, Kent, United Kingdom, 1-3 September 2015.
Edwards, M. E., Edwards, E J. and Lyvers, M. (2015). Motivation moderates the relationship between situational stress and inhibitory efficiency in the presence of threat. 33nd Annual British Psychology Society Cognitive Psychology Section Conference, Kent, United Kingdom, 1-3 September 2015.
Contributions of trait anxiety, situational stress and mental effort on working memory performance
Edwards, E. J., Edwards, M. S. and Lyvers, M. (2014). Contributions of trait anxiety, situational stress and mental effort on working memory performance. 49th Australian Psychological Society Annual Conference, Hobart, Australia, 29 September – 3 October 2014.
Cognitive trait anxiety, situational stress and mental effort predict shifting efficiency
Edwards, E. J., Edwards, M. S. and Lyvers, M. (2014). Cognitive trait anxiety, situational stress and mental effort predict shifting efficiency. 31st Annual British Psychology Society Cognitive Psychology Section Conference, Nottingham, United Kingdom, 2-5 September 2014.
Edwards, E. J., Edwards, M. S., Lyvers, M. and Samios, C. (2014). Effects of trait anxiety and situational stress on backward word span efficiency are buffered by mental effort. Australasian Experimental Psychology Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 23-26 April 2014.
Scott, E. J. and Edwards, M. S. (2010). Anxiety and working memory. 27th International Congress of Applied Psychology, Melbourne, Australia, 11-16 July 2010.
Edwards, Elizabeth, J. and Campbell, Marilyn (2022, 01 20). Schools can expect a year of disruption. Here are 7 ways they can help support the well-being of students and staff The Conversation
Edwards, Elizabeth J., Campbell, Marilyn, Carroll, Annemaree and Pennell, Donna (2021). Best practice guidelines for wellbeing of staff and students after a disruption in Queensland schools. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.
Edwards, Elizabeth (2021, 10 18). Anxiety can affect academic performance. Here are 10 things parents and teachers can do to relieve the pressure The Conversation 1-2.
Inhibitory control training for anxiety and math achievement in primary-school children
(2023–2024) Spencer Foundation Research Grants on Education: Small
(2022–2023) Education Horizon
Academic advice for departmental research projects
(2022) Queensland Department of Education
(2021) Education Horizon
Note for students: Dr Elizabeth Edwards is not currently available to take on new students.
Competency-based teaching of procedural skills for medical students using an evidenced-based pedagogical framework
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Social-Emotional Competence: A Multidimensional Perspective in Vietnamese Schools
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Bridging the gender gap in mental health literacy
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Anxiety and cognitive control as predictors of primary-school student achievement in mathematics
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Cultural Competence Strategies to Help International Students Address the Challenges They Confront When Studying in Australia
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Family-School-Community Conceptualisation of School Absenteeism
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Determining the effects of screen time and physical activity on psychosocial well-being of Australian children
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
A meta-model of self-regulated learning to facilitate transition to higher education
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors: