Melissa Davis

Discipline Lead, Psychology Programs
PhD, MPsych (Clinical), BA Psych (Hons), Grad Cert Tertiary Ed Management, Grad Cert Tertiary Teaching
Email: melissa.davis@nd.edu.au

  • Biography

    Melissa is an academic leader in psychology with 25 years of experience in teaching and learning in higher education. Melissa's professional background is as a clinical psychologist and her teaching and research primarily focuses on professional training of psychologists. Melissa has roles with the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, including as a Board member and current Chair of the Accreditation Assessment Committee.

  • Research expertise and supervision

    Melissa's research and scholarship focuses on learning and teaching in higher education, particularly, but not exclusively, professional training of psychologists. She has published as a member of multi-disciplinary teams in the areas of higher education including interprofessional education, learning and misconceptions, and academic integrity. She currently involved in work on professional accreditation standards and professional competencies, competency-based assessment, and wellbeing in psychology trainees.

    Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology supervision:

    Melissa is a supervisor in the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology program, with her focus areas as follows:

    Training & Assessment in Psychology:

    • Teaching, Learning, and Assessment in Professional Psychology

    If you are interested in studying Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology and would like Melissa as your supervisor, please contact Dr Raquel Peel at raquel.peel@nd.edu.au. Alternatively, you can explore other supervisors available for this program.

  • Teaching areas

    • Psychological Assessment
    • Professional practice in psychology

  • Journal articles and proceedings

    • Curtis, G.J., Correia, H.M., & Davis, M.C. (2022). Entitlement mediates the relationship between dark triad traits and academic misconduct. Personality and Individual Differences, 191, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2022.111563
    • Bhullar, N., Davis, M., Kumar, R., Nunn, P., & Rickwood, D. (2022). Climate anxiety does not need a diagnosis of a mental health disorder. The Lancet: Planetary Health, 6, E383 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(22)00072-9
    • Jolley, D., Davis, M., Lavender, A.P., & Roberts, L. (2020). An online critical thinking course reduces misconceptions in the knowledge of personal trainers. Studies in Continuing Education. doi.org/10.1080/0158037X.2020.1738373
    • Jolley, D., Davis, M., & Lavender, A.P. (2020). Misconceptions in the knowledge of vocational fitness students and graduates. Australian Journal of Adult Learning, 60 (1), 66-88. doi.org/10.1080/14480220.2019.1576314
    • Jolley, D., Davis, M., & Lavender, A.P. (2018). Misconceptions in the knowledge of tertiary exercise science and vocational fitness students. International Journal of Training Research, 16(3), 267-277, doi: 10.1080/14480220.2019.1576314.
    • Reupert, A., Davis, M., Stewart, S. & Bridgman, H. (2018). A new education pathway for postgraduate psychology students: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Adult Learning, 58(2), 225-245.
    • Curtis, G., Cowcher, E., Greene, B.R., Rundle, K., Paull, M. & Davis, M.C. (2018). Self-Control, injunctive norms, and descriptive norms predict engagement in plagiarism in a Theory of Planned Behavior Model. Journal of Academic Ethics, 1-15. doi: 10.1007/s10805-018-9309-2
    • Roberts, L., Davis, M.C., Broughton, M., & Crabb, H. (2017). Perceived relevance mediates the relationship between professional identity and attitudes towards Interprofessional Education. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 32(1), 33-40. DOI: 10.1080/13561820.2017.1366896
    • Fenner, A., Howie, E.K., Davis, M.C. & Straker, L.M. (2016). Relationships between psychosocial outcomes in adolescents who are obese and their parents during a multi-disciplinary family-based healthy lifestyle intervention: One-year follow-up of a waitlist controlled trial (Curtin University’s Activity, Food and Attitudes Program). Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 14, 100. DOI 10.1186/s12955-016-0501-z
    • Pophillat, E., Rooney, R.M., Nesa, M., Davis, M.C., Baughman, N., Hassan, S., & Kane, R.T. (2016). Preventing internalising problems in six to eight year old children: A universal school-based program. Frontiers in Psychology: Educational Psychology, 7, Article 1928. doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01928
    • Roberts, R.M. & Davis, M.C. (2015). Assessment of a model for achieving competency in administration and scoring of the WAIS-IV in post-graduate psychology students. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, Article 641. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00641
    • Brewer, M., Flavell, H., Harris, C., Davis, M. & Bathgate, K. (2014). Ensuring health graduates’ employability in a changing world: Developing interprofessional practice capabilities using a framework to inform curricula. Journal of Graduate Employability, 5(1), 29-46. https://doi.org/10.21153/jtlge2014vol5no1art566
    • Gill, D., Davis, M.C., Smith, A. & Straker, L.M. (2014). Bi-directional relationships between cigarette use and spinal pain in adolescents. British Journal of Health Psychology, 19 (1), 113-131. DOI: 10.1111/bjhp.12039
    • Halloran, P., Tucker, B., Price, C. & Davis, M. (2014). Notions of quality: Student perceptions of what needs improvement in assessment. Proceedings of the 37th Annual HERDSA Conference, Hong Kong, 7-10 July, 2014.
    • Palmer, F.A. & Davis, M.C. (2014). Reliability and validity of the Parent Efficacy for Child Healthy Weight Behaviour (PECHWB) scale. Child: Care, Health and Development, 40(3), 398-404. doi: 10.1111/cch.12069.
    • Carr, M. & Davis, M.C. (2013). “Neutralisation” of internet plagiarism: Do students see academic pressures as justification for intentional minor, moderate, or major plagiarism? Proceedings of the 6th Asia Pacific Conference on Educational Integrity, Sydney, October 2013.
    • Fenner, A.A., Straker, L.M., Davis, M.C., Hagger, M.S. (2013). Theoretical underpinnings of a need-supportive intervention to address sustained healthy lifestyle changes in overweight and obese adolescents. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 14(6), 819-829. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2013.06.005
    • Nelson, M. & Davis, M.C. (2012). Development and preliminary validation of the Parent Efficacy for Child Healthy Weight Scale. Journal of Health Psychology, 17, 1-10.doi: 10.1177/1359105312439732
    • Davis, M.C. & Wosinski, N.L. (2012). Cognitive errors as predictors of adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism in children. Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, 30, 105-117. doi: 10.1007/s10942-011-0129-1
    • Straker, L.M., Smith, K.L.., Fenner, A.A., Kerr, D.A., McManus, A., Davis, M.C., Fielding, A.M., Olds, T.S., Hagger,. M.S., Smith, A.J., & Abbott, R.A. (2012). Rationale, design and methods for a staggered-entry, waitlist controlled clinical trial of the impact of a community-based, family-centred, multidisciplinary program focussed on activity, food and attitude habits (Curtin University’s Activity, Food and Attitudes Program—CAFAP) among overweight adolescents. BMC Public Health, 12:471. doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-471.
    • Ward, E., Straker, L., Smith, K., Kerr, D., Davis, M., Fielding, A., McManus, A. (2011). Behaviour changes following a multidisciplinary intervention for overweight and obese adolescents. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 14 (S1), e42-e43. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2011.11.088
    • Heaps, N., Davis, M.C., Straker, L., & Smith, A. (2011). Adolescent drug use, psychosocial functioning, and spinal pain. Journal of Health Psychology. 16, 688-698. DOI: 10.1177/1359105310386822.
    • Straker, L., McManus, A., Kerr, D., Smith, K., Davis, M., Weiss, M., Fielding, A., Fidzewicz, A., Stewart, C. & Hamilton, N. (2010). CAFAP: A multi-disciplinary, family-centred community-based intervention for overweight/obese adolescents. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 13 (S1), e11-e12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2010.10.485
    • Rees, C.S., Draper, M., & Davis, M.C. (2010). The relationship between magical thinking and thought-action fusion in analogue obsessive-compulsive disorder. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy. 3, 304-311.
    • Huggins, L., Davis, M.C., Rooney, R. & Kane, R. (2008). Socially-prescribed and self-oriented perfectionism as predictors of depressive diagnosis in preadolescents. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 18, 182-194.
      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1375/ajgc.18.2.182
    • Davis, M.C. & Wosinski, N.L. (2008). Perfectionism and cognitive errors in children: Construct validity of the Adaptive Maladaptive Perfectionism Scale. Proceedings of the 43rd Annual Australian Psychological Society Conference.

  • Conference Papers

    Invited presentations

    • Davis, M.C. (2024). More than just a footnote: What makes a substantial research project? Invited presentation at the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council Inaugural Community of Practice Conference, Online, October 30 2024.
    • Davis, M.C. & Price, C. (2016). Plagiarism is not ‘black and white’. Invited presentation. University of Notre Dame Teaching and Learning Office Forum on Academic Integrity, UNDA Fremantle campus, 1 April 2016.
    • Davis, M.C. (2012). Blended learning for interprofessional education for health and social care professionals. Invited presentation at Blended Learning 2012, 28-29 August, Sebel Surrey Hills, Sydney, Australia.

    Other presentations

    • Davis, M.C., Mosiere, M. & Glanz, D. (2023). What research competencies do psychologists want and need? Embracing opportunities for postgraduate psychology programs. Roundtable discussion presented on behalf of the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, Australian Psychology Learning and Teaching Conference, Hobart, 8-10 September 2023.
    • Davis, M.C., Taylor, A. & Sawyer, A. (2023). Distress and wellbeing in psychology trainees: A systemic problem. Australian and New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators Conference, Gold Coast, Queensland, 26-29 June 2023.
    • Mount, G., Ferrington, L. Sidhu, L., Long, C., Davis, M., Pather, N., & Faricy, C. (2022). How to Build a Student Wellbeing/Success Community of Practice. Workshop presented at the ISSOTL Conference, Kelowna, British Columbia, 2-5 November 2022.
    • Davis, M.C. & Reid, C. (2019). What are students telling us about the culture of psychological wellness in our postgraduate psychology training programs? Australian Psychology Learning and Teaching Conference, Melbourne, 13-15 September 2019.
    • Davis, M.C., Somerville, R., Garvey, D., Gringart, E., Robinson, K., Chang, P., & Gately, N. (2019). Developing a tool for operationalising and tracking students’ cultural capabilities development throughout psychology courses. Australian Psychology Learning and Teaching Conference, Melbourne, 13-15 September 2019.
    • Davis, M.C. & Stewart, S. (2018). 5+1 model for training psychologists for the future: Issues of quantity and quality. Professional Forum presented at the Australian Psychological Society Congress, Sydney, 27-30 September 2018.
    • Davis, M. C. & Southam, D. (2018). How to get the most out of peer review of educational practice: Reviewer and reviewee perspectives. Workshop presented at the WA Teaching and Learning Forum, University of Notre Dame, 1-2 February, 2018
    • Price, C. & Davis, M. (2017). “Constructive alignment” in assessment quality? Perspectives of multiple stakeholders. Workshop presented at the WA Teaching and Learning Forum, Curtin University, 2-3 February, 2017.
    • Davis, M.C. & Price, C. (2016). Plagiarism is not ‘black and white’. Workshop presented at the WA Teaching and Learning Forum, Curtin University, 28-29 January, 2016.
    • Arulpragasam, A. & Davis, M.C. (2016). Benchmarking syllabus and assessment in an interprofessional first year human biology unit. Too hard, too easy, just right? Paper presented at the WA Teaching and Learning Forum, Curtin University, 28-29 January.
    • Davis, M.C. & Roberts, L. (2015). What value can undergraduate psychology students add to interprofessional education? Paper presented at the 50th Australian Psychological Society National Conference, Gold Coast, Australia, 29 September – 2 October 2015.
    • Davis, M.C. & Towie, L. (2015). Revision and preliminary validation of the Attitudes Towards Plagiarism questionnaire based on the theory of planned behaviour. Poster presented at the 50th Australian Psychological Society National Conference, Gold Coast, Australia, 29 September – 2 October 2015.
    • Colclough, G., Davis, M.C., Halloran, P., & Price, C. (2014). Shoring up the bastions: The lived experience of teaching and learning academics engaged in transformative thinking about assessment. Paper presented at the WA Teaching and Learning Forum, University of Western Australia, 30-31 January.
    • Davis, M.C., Halloran, P., Colclough, G., & Price, C. (2014). What do we know about transforming assessment?  Paper presented at the WA Teaching and Learning Forum, University of Western Australia, 30-31 January.
    • Downie, J., Jones, S.T., Davis, M.C. & Brewer, M.L. (2012). An Interprofessional First Year Curriculum for 22 Health Sciences Disciplines: Experiences, Evaluation, and Evidence. Paper presented at the 6th All Together Better Health Conference, Kobi, Japan, 5-8 October 2012.
    • Davis, M.C. (2012). Enhancing graduate student capabilities through authentic assessment: A university and primary school collaboration. Paper presented in Teaching and Learning in Psychology Symposium, Australian Psychological Society Conference, Perth, September 26-30 2012.
    • Davis, M.C. & Hollingworth, S. (2012). Towards an evidence base for teaching psychological assessment skills: A national and international review of teaching and learning strategies. Poster presented at the Australian Psychological Society Conference, Perth, September 26-30 2012.
    • Davis, M.C., Jones, S., & Brewer, M.L. (2012). Learning and teaching together: Benefits of an Interprofessional First Year Curriculum for enhancing interdisciplinary connections for staff and students. Poster presented at the HERDSA Conference, Hobart, 2-5 July 2012.
    • Davis, M.C. & Jones, S. (2012). Interprofessional teaching teams for an Interprofessional First Year Curriculum: Challenges and opportunities. Paper presented at the 15th Pacific Rim First Year in Higher Education Conference, Brisbane, 26-29 June 2012.
    • Davis, M.C. (2012). My learning can be your learning: Peer assessment and feedback in a large first year unit. Poster presented at the 15th Pacific Rim First Year in Higher Education Conference, Brisbane, 26-29 June 2012.
    • Ward, E., Straker, L., Kerr, D., Smith, K., Davis, M. & Fielding, A. (2011). Behavioural changes following multidisciplinary intervention for overweight and obese adolescents. Australasian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport. 17-18 November, 2011. Fremantle.
    • Ward, E., Straker, L., Kerr, D., Smith, K., Davis, M. & Fielding, A. (2011). A multidisciplinary program for overweight and obese adolescents. APA Physiotherapy Conference. 27-30 October, 2011. Brisbane.
    • Smith, K., Straker, L., Kerr, D., Davis, M., Fielding, A., Ward, E. & McManus, A. (2011). The beginnings of CAFAP - a family-centred, multi-disciplinary program for overweight and obese adolescents and their families. Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society's Annual Scientific Meeting. 20-22 October 2011. Adelaide.
    • Davis, M.C. & Cowper, N.A. (2011). Student engagement with assessment feedback: The ‘who’ and ‘how’ of closing the feedback loop. Paper presented at the ATN Assessment Conference, Perth, 20-21 October 2011.
    • Jones, S. & Davis, M. (2011). Leading development of an interprofessional first year curriculum: A key opportunity to improve assessment design and outcomes. Paper presented at the ATN Assessment Conference, Perth, 20-21 October 2011.
    • Jones, S., Brewer, M. & Davis, M. (2011). Interprofessional education for health and social care professionals: Starting the journey in first year. Paper presented at the 14th Pacific Rim FYHE Conference, Perth, 28 June-1 July 2011.
    • Jones, S., Davis, M., & Brewer, M. (2011). Transforming the FYE in Health Sciences: Development and evaluation of a first year interprofessional curriculum. Paper presented at the 14th Pacific Rim FYHE Conference, Perth, 28 June-1 July 2011.
    • Straker, L., Ward, E., Kerr, D., Davis, M., Fielding, A, McManus, A. & Smith, K. (2011). The first two years of CAFAP - a multidisciplinary family-centred intervention for overweight/obese adolescents. International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity. 15-18 June, 2011. Melbourne.
    • Straker, L., McManus, A., Kerr, D., Smith, K., Davis, M., Weiss, M., Fielding, A., Fidzewicz, A., Stewart, C., Hamilton, N., Laird, K., Johnston, K., Abbott, R., Brewer, M., Wright, T. & Smith, A. (2010). CAFAP: a multi-disciplinary, family-centred community-based intervention for overweight/obese adolescents. Asics Conference on Science and Medicine in Sport, Sports Medicine Australia, Port Douglas, 4-6 November 2010.
    • Straker, L., Laird, K., Hamilton, N., Johnston, K., Kerr, D., Davis, M., Fielding, A., McManus, A., Brewer, M., Wright, T., Smith, A., Smith, K., Ward, E. & Abbott, R., (2010). Translating a multi-disciplinary, hospital- based program for overweight/obese adolescents to the community. Child and Adolescent Health Research Symposium, Perth, 27-29 October 2010.
    • Prandl, K., Rooney, R., Bishop, B. & Davis, M. (2010). The process of engaging with the Nyoongar community from a Wadjallah perspective. Paper presented at the 27th International Congress of Applied Psychology, Melbourne, 10-16 July, 2010.
    • Davis, M.C. (2010). Interprofessional education: Psychology’s role in the training of future health professionals. Poster presented at the 4th International Conference on Psychology Education, Sydney, 8-11 July 2010.
    • Straker, L., Kerr, D., Smith, K., Davis, M., Fielding, A., Hamilton, N., Ward, E., Chua, J., Weiss, M., Fidzewicz, A., Stewart, C., McManus, A., Jiwa, M., Brewer, M., Wright, T., Laird, K. & Smith, A. (2010). CAFAP: a multi- disciplinary, family-centred community-based intervention for overweight/obese adolescents. WA Chronic Disease Summit 2010, WA General Practice Network/Department of Health WA Health Networks Branch, Perth, 14th  May 2010.
    • Davis, M.C., Straker, L., Weiss, M., & Brewer, M. (2010). Allied health students working together for better physical and psychological outcomes for overweight adolescents and their families. Electronic poster presented at the 5th All Together Better Health Conference, Sydney, 6-9 April 2010.
    • Davis, M.C., Yorke, J., Lawson, K., Cupitt, C., El Mowafy, A., Groves, R., & Roberts, L. (2010). Can we develop sustainable approaches to moderation? Workshop at the WA Teaching and Learning Forum, Edith Cowan University, 28-29 January 2010.
    • Piek, J.P., Robinson, J.E., Davis, M.C., Hay, D., Martin, N. & Kane, R. (2009). ADHD subtype symptoms, reading disorder and movement problems as predictors of children’s functional impairment at home and school. Paper presented at the 44th Annual APS Conference, Darwin, October.
    • Davis, M.C., Weiss, M., Straker, L., & Brewer, M. (2009). Curtin’s Activity, Food and Attitudes Program (CAFAP) – a multidisciplinary program for overweight and obese adolescents. Paper presented at the Health Interprofessional Education Conference, Curtin University of Technology, September 2009.
    • Veloso, B., Rooney, R., Roberts, C., Davis, M., Kane, R. (2009). Reducing internalizing symptoms and enhancing social and emotional competence in 6-7 year old children using the Feelings and Friends program. Paper presented at the 32nd Australian Association for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Conference, Perth, September 2009.
    • Jones, S., Brewer, M. & Davis, M.C. (2009). Interprofessional education to meet changing health and social care demands. Paper/Poster presented at the Third National GAP Symposium, Curtin University of Technology, July 2009.
    • Rigoli, D., Piek, J.P., Davis, M., Barrett, N., & Oosterlaan, J. (2009). Developmental coordination disorder and its academic implications. Poster presentation at the 8th International Conference on Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder, Baltimore, MD, USA, June 2009.
    • Pannekoek, L., Piek, J. Rigoli, D., Schoemaker, M., & Davis, M. (2009). The validity of the DCDQ-2007 as a screening measure for DCD in adolescents. 9th Motor Control & Human Skill Conference, Hobart, Tasmania, January.
    • Davis, M.C. (2009). Online cross-level peer tutoring: An evaluation of benefits for tutors and tutees in a psychological assessment task. Paper presented at the 18th Annual Teaching and Learning Forum, Perth, January.
    • Davis, M.C. & Wosinski, N. (2008). Perfectionism and cognitive errors in children: Construct validity of the Adaptive Maladaptive Perfectionism Scale. Paper presented at the 43rd Australian Psychological Society Conference, Hobart, Tasmania, September 2008.
    • Davis, M.C. (2008). Effective community collaboration for student learning: Findings from a collaborative psychological assessment project. Paper presented at the Australian Psychology Educations Network Experimental Psychology Conference Satellite Meeting,

  • In the Media

    • Davis, M. (2024). What research competencies do psychologists want and need? Talking APAC Podcast, Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. https://APACaus.podbean.com/e/explaining-research-competencies/
    • Armer, R., McLennan, D. & Davis, M. (2023). Overcoming the challenges of disability. Talking APAC Podcast, Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-bwzzs-1517cfc

  • Professional Affiliations

    Australian Psychology Accreditation Council
    Australian Psychological Society