Our MAIC Griffith University Road Safety Research Collaboration, Traffic Psychology Lab researchers have a wealth of experience and expertise and the team consists of researchers from a variety of disciplines and road safety research experience.
Associate Professor Darren Wishart
Associate Professor Darren Wishart is a registered psychologist and has over 20 years road safety research experience, particularly within the work driving and motorcycle safety sectors. He is a passionate motorcyclist and was previously a registered motorcycle trainer in Queensland. Dr Wishart primarily works with organisations assisting in driver behaviour and organisational driving safety change to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes in organisational vehicle fleets.
Dr Matt Stainer
Dr Matt Stainer is a Cognitive Psychologist with expertise in decision-making and eye tracking. He has particular focus on applying these research methods to a broad set of tasks as they occur in the real-world, and particularly within the road environment. Dr Stainer is currently conducting research investigating paramedics treating injuries during high fidelity simulation and associated driving. Dr Stainer completed his PhD in Prof Ben Tatler’s Active Vision Lab in the University of Dundee on examining expertise in managing complex, visually rich multiple-screen CCTV Control Rooms. He completed Post-Doctoral positions in the School of Optometry in the University of Melbourne, and in the School of Psychology in the University of Aberdeen, before commencing at Griffith.
Dr Chris Irwin
Dr Chris Irwin is an Accredited Practising Dietitian, Senior Lecturer in Nutrition & Dietetics and nutrition researcher in the School of Health Sciences and Social Work. Dr Irwin’s primary research area involves investigating the impact of nutrition-related factors on human behaviour and performance as well as the effects of alcohol and other drugs (e.g. cannabis) on cognitive performance, specifically the impact on driving performance. Dr Irwin has expertise in the use of driving simulation technology, including the development of specific driving scenarios for various research questions and analysis of driving simulation data output.
Professor David Neumann
Professor David Neumann is a renowned expert in learning and performance psychology. With a focus on cognitive neuroscience, he investigates the brain mechanisms underlying attention, mental states, and stress as they relate to safe driving. As a psychophysiologist, Professor Neumann employs advanced techniques to measure physiological responses, providing valuable insights into psychological states associated with driving behaviours. His research has been instrumental in enhancing performance and well-being across various domains, including education, sports, government, and private organizations. By applying his findings to real-world scenarios, Professor Neumann is dedicated to improving safety and optimising human potential.
Dr Blake Palmer
Dr Blake Palmer is a Research Fellow in Traffic Psychology and Road Safety with the MAIC MAIC Griffith University Road Safety Research Collaboration. His research focuses on driver behaviour, human factors, and road safety, with a particular interest in how cognitive and behavioural influences affect safety outcomes in complex driving environments and in particular driving for work settings. He has expertise in using advanced technologies to investigate road user behaviour, including high-fidelity driving simulation, eye-tracking to analyse visual attention and driver awareness, and physiological monitoring using Hexoskin garments. Blake’s background also includes training in nutrition, public health and behavioural science, and his PhD focused on alcohol consumption behaviour in young adults, using behavioural frameworks to understand and influence health-risk behaviours.
Dr Shelly Weaver
Dr Shelly Weaver is a research assistant in Psychology in the School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University. Her research areas include, multitasking while driving, motorcycle safety technology, adolescent sleep and videogaming, and the development of novel technology to measure and change behaviour. Shelly is interested in the use of gamification in road safety research. In particular, she is interested in using game techniques to improve and encourage safe driving for adolescents and young adults learning to drive.
Dr Karen Murphy
Dr Karen Murphy is a cognitive scientist with extensive research experience exploring how cognitive processes—such as cognitive flexibility, working memory, attentional control, and response inhibition—contribute to performance in everyday tasks like driving, preparing meals, and navigating obstacles while walking. Her work focuses on understanding how these cognitive skills shape the development of expertise and human performance in real-world environments, including driving, motorcycle riding, multitasking, cognitive training, and athletic performance. She has also investigated the relationship between cognitive abilities and task performance in high-stakes contexts, such as aviation, CCTV operations, medical decision-making, and command-and-control scenarios during cyclones. Her research provides valuable insights into the cognitive mechanisms underlying successful performance in complex, dynamic settings (e.g., riding motorcycles).
Mr Alan Sims
Mr Alan Sims is a PhD Candidate and casual research assistant in the School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University. Alan’s research specialises in the effects of alcohol on driving performance and vision, using driving simulators. In addition to objective measurements, Alan also delves into the subjective realm, investigating how individuals perceive the impairment induced by alcohol. He pays particular attention to its impact on vision, recognizing the crucial role vision plays in safe driving. With prior experience in both flight and driving simulator research, Alan brings a practical and scientific approach to his work.
Mr Daniel Malone
Mr Daniel Malone is a PhD Candidate and casual research assistant in the School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University. His primary research area involves investigating cognitive factors that impact emergency driving performance and safety. Daniel has previous experience using driving simulation technology to explore how secondary demands within an ambulance vehicle lead to increases in cognitive load for paramedics while driving. His current research aims to explore the impact of cognitive load on emergency driving performance and safety of paramedics.