Doctor Mel Taylor

Biography

I joined the University of Western Sydney (UWS) as a Senior Research Fellow in February 2007, following a 20 year career in Human Factors in the UK. Since joining UWS I have worked in population mental health research and psychosocial impacts of adversity; including pandemic influenza, terrorism, CBRNE terrorism, radiological and nuclear accidents, global warming, and equine influenza. This work extends both to general population preparedness and response to adversity as well as to emergency responder preparedness, response, and training needs for managing such events. Additional areas of current interest include risk perception, risk communication and knowledge and how these relate to emergency preparedness, compliance behaviours (e.g. public health behaviours, biosecurity practices etc.), and anticipated response behaviours.

During my career in the UK I specialised in the optimization of human performance. I have been involved in the assessment of human performance and human error in many contexts, and have used a wide range of research methodologies. Many projects investigated human performance and limitations in stressful environments, or in the presence of stressors; such as sleep deprivation, shift-work, sustained operations, noise, hypoxia, team conflicts, uncertainty, and psychological over- and under- arousal.

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Areas of Research / Teaching Expertise

  • risk perception and risk communication and how these affect behaviour and anticipated behaviours to adversity
  • compliance with health behaviours (including response to human and animal disease)
  • biosecurity and bioterrorism
  • response to terrorism and disasters; both first responders/emergency services and population response
  • preparedness for emergencies and disasters
    psychological distress and response and recovery to adversity
  • effects of exposure to adversity on future orientation, optimism and hopefulness

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Awards and Recognition

Chartered Occupational Psychologist (UK)
Level A and Level B (Int)

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Selected Publications

Taylor, M., Agho, K.E., Stevens, G.J., & Raphael, B. (2008). Factors influencing psychological distress during a disease epidemic: Data from Australia’s first outbreak of equine influenza. BMC Public Health, 8:347.

Barr, M., Raphael, B., Taylor, M., Stevens, G., Jorm, L., Giffin, M., and Lujic, S. (2008). Pandemic influenza in Australia: perceptions of threat and willingness to comply. BMC Infectious Diseases, 8: 117.

Raphael, B., Taylor, M., and McAndrew, V. (2008). Women, catastrophe and mental health. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 42: 13-23.

Publications (currently under review)

Taylor, M., Raphael, Barr, M., Agho, K., Stevens, G., Jorm, L. Public Health Measures during an anticipated influenza pandemic: Factors influencing willingness to comply Risk Management and Public Health.

Raphael, B., Nadelson, C., and Taylor, M. Human Rights and Women’s Mental Health. For: Mental Health and Human Rights, M Dudley, D Silove, and F Gale. (Eds.) Oxford University Press.

Raphael, B., Taylor, M., Stevens, G., Barr, M, Gorringe, M. & Agho, K. Factors associated with population risk perceptions of continued drought in Australia. Australian Journal of Rural Mental Health.

Raphael, B., Taylor, M., Barr., M., Sevens, G., & Agho, K. Using telephone surveys to determine factors associated with worsening global warming in Australia. BMC Environmental Health.

Stevens, G., Agho, K.E., Taylor, M., Raphael, B., Barr, M., and Jorm, L., Terrorism in Australia: Factors Affecting Population Perceptions of Threat and Incident-Critical Behaviours. BMC Public Health.

Stevens, G., Taylor, M., Barr, M., Jorm, L., Raphael, B., Giffin, M., Ferguson, R. & Agho, K. Terrorist Attack in Australia: Population Perceptions of Threat and Anticipated Compliance Behaviours. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.

Raphael, B., Taylor, M., Looi, J., & Jacobs, J. Principles for Occupational Mental Health and Safety. Australia and New Zealand Journal of Occupational Health and Safety.

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Engagement Interests

Most of my community interests are linked to Scouts (Oakville Scout Group) and school-based activities with the primary schools in Rouse Hill (Rouse Hill Public School and Ironbark Ridge Public School) and the new Rouse Hill High School.

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