Dr Kelly-Ann Allen, PhD is an associate professor, DECRA Fellow, and educational and developmental psychologist at Monash University, an honorary principal fellow of the University of Melbourne, and a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society. Dr Allen is the Editor-in-Chief for The Educational and Developmental Psychologist (Taylor and Francis).

 

Previously a school psychologist, she combines her academic research interests in the area of belonging with her knowledge as a practitioner to collaborate with international colleagues and translate her research to applied educational contexts.

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Dr Allen’s core work directly responds to the widely reported global decline in belonging, particularly for students. Her research traces the further deterioration of belonging following COVID-19, and its strong associations with mental illness (both in adolescence and adulthood), wellbeing and academic outcomes, demonstrating that belonging is a significant problem to address. With the study of belonging core to Dr. Allen’s research priorities, her projects have built a conceptual and empirical understanding of belonging across the lifespan. 

 

Kelly-Ann’s interest in belonging has led her to author and edit several books, including the award-winning The Psychology of Belonging (Routledge), translated into four languages, School Belonging in Adolescents: Theory, research, and practice (Springer), Pathways to Belonging: Contemporary research in school belonging (Brill), and Boosting School Belonging in Adolescents: Interventions for teachers and mental health professionals  (Routledge). Her research is nationally and internationally recognised for its impact on policy and practice. 

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Dr Allen’s mission is to signal and accentuate the importance of belonging in day-to-day life and better understand the mechanics of how it can be enhanced across the lifespan, particularly in educational contexts. Her work is based on the need to belong as a powerful driver of motivation and a fundamental pillar of good physical and mental health. In a world of rising loneliness and social isolation rates, a comprehensive understanding of belonging has never been more critical.

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