Dr Francesca Collins, PhD, MAPS
Tel: +61 3 990 32471
Fax: +61 3 990 52410
Email: francesca.collins@arts.monash.edu.au
Room H5.34 5th Floor
Building H, Caulfield Campus
Mailing Address
Monash University
PO Box 197
Caulfield East VIC 3145
AUSTRALIA
Biography
Academia is the latest of my professional incarnations, the first being a stint behind the counter at the local milk bar, aged 14. My background is in fine art, philosophy and clinical psychology, particularly dissociation. I have a growing interest in the psychology of unusual experiences, paranormal beliefs and why people believe weird stuff.
Click here for a brief CV.
Qualifications
2004 Doctor of Philosophy
Department of Psychological Medicine, Monash University
Thesis title Dissociation, coping and control: A cognitive model of dissociation in non-clinical populations.
Click here for my thesis abstract.
2007 Graduate Certificate in Higher Education
Faculty of Education, Monash University
1997 Bachelor of Science (Honours) - First Class
Department of Psychology, Monash University
Thesis title Dissociation, coping strategies and locus of control
in a non-clinical population: A preliminary investigation
1996 Bachelor of Arts
Majors - Psychology and Philosophy
Monash University
Research Interest
For expert comment in the following areas, see Dr Collins' ExpertGuide entry.
- Dissociation
- Trauma reactions
- Health psychology
- Personality
- Paranormal beliefs
- Psychology of the Internet
- Virtual worlds, especially Second Life (SL avatar, Curiosa Paravane)
- Psychology of 2D and 3D virtual environments
My current research interests include:
- dissociation and its personality correlates in members of non-clinical populations.
- the psychometrics of personality assessment instruments when administered in 2D and 3D online environments
- the relationship between dissociation and paranormal beliefs including traditional religious belief, psi belief, witchcraft, superstition, spiritualism, extraordinary life forms and precognition
- resident attitudes to rules and dispute resolution in Second Life
I am currently supervising research projects in the areas of:
- the role of dissociation in the human-companion animal bond
- the human-companion animal bond and Eriksonian old age
- personality and avatar customisation in Second Life
- attachment style and Facebook usage
- the problem of defining and identifying workplace bullying
Web Links
Dissociation
- Dissociation Australia
- The Delphi Centre, Carlton, VIC
- The Sidran Institute, Towson, MD, USA
- The Ross Institute, Richardson, TX, USA
- The International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSD)
- The UK Society for the Study of Dissociation (UKSSD)
- The Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ASTSS)
- David Baldwin's Trauma Pages
- SANE Australia
Virtual Worlds
Unusual beliefs
- Australian Skeptics
- The Australian Institute of Parapsychological Research
- The Society for Psychical Research, UK
- Koestler Parapsychology Unit, University of Edinburgh
- Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit, Goldsmiths College, University of London
- Centre for the Study of Anomalous Psychological Processes, University of Northampton,
- Dr Collins on Radio National's The Spirit of things
Female hair loss
- Psycho-emotional and social issues
- Lots of great links
- Hair loss fact sheet
- Alopecia Areata Support Association
- Oxford Hair Foundation
Amusing
- A Town Called Panic
- Callahan Online
- Homestar Runner
- Museum of Questionable Medical Devices
- Surrealist Compliment Generator
- Alice in Wonderland
- News of the Weird
HDR Supervision
| Student | Topic | Supervisor / s |
|---|---|---|
|
Dr Francesca Collins / Dr RoseAnne Misajon |
||
|
"Interrelations of personality, identity and avatar customisation in virtual worlds" |
Dr Francesca Collins / Dr Peter Kelly |
|
|
Dr Peter Kelly / Dr Francesca Collins |