I conduct applied qualitative and mixed methods research projects to identify the socio-cultural dimensions of complex human, animal and environmental issues. In particular, I research why people think they do what they do - to develop novel and effective initiatives for behaviour change. For example, my ARC DECRA-funded research developed the strengths-based 'pets as protective factor' principle to improve the natural disaster preparedness and survivability of animal owners/carers - who had been previously characterised as a high-risk group.

My current research is focussed on workplace interventions for reducing the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD), as well as workforce development in the ATOD sector.

My skills in mixed-methods research and project management research have been applied to a diverse range of fields including: organisational change and risk management, risk perception, leadership, natural disaster preparedness, One Health, personal biosecurity practices, human behaviour change for animal welfare, human-animal relations and large animal technical rescue.

Specific projects have included: the culture of alcohol in Australian rules football, metropolitan train driver fatigue, passenger railway crowding, domestic food waste, ECR development and research leadership pathways, zoonotic disease prevention in the Thoroughbred horse breeding industry, COVID-19 measures in residential aged care, personal protective behaviours of horse riders, the impact of menstruation on participation in equestrian sport, children's conceptualisation of healthy food, the socio-economic impact of an alternative place of detention in SA, access to driver licensing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, dog-bite prevention programmes, and the impact of roster changes to ambulance personnel and government employees.

My publications portfolio includes over 100 peer-review articles, chapters, edited volumes, manuscripts, reports and magazine articles (Scopus h index = 17). I have published five articles in The Conversation, am a regular social science contributor to Horses and People Magazine, co-authored the book ‘(Un)Stable Relations: Horses, Humans and Social Agency’ (Routledge, 2018) and co-edited two volumes. I also co-created an episode of 'All in the Mind' on equine-assisted therapy during my residence for being one of ABC Radio National's 'Top 5 Under 40' scientists in 2015.

For a full list of publications, please visit https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kirrilly-Thompson