Paula Robinson, PhD
MANAGING DIRECTOR
CONSULTING PSYCHOLOGIST, AUTHOR & SPEAKER

Specialising in Positive Psychology, Wellbeing and Mental Fitness for Individuals, Organisations, Schools & Communities

Prior to becoming a Psychologist, Dr. Paula Robinson had 12 years experience as a senior manager. Her responsibilities have included strategic planning and implementation, business development, staff recruitment/retention, advertising, marketing, and sales. Dr Robinson then decided to focus on the growth of her academic pursuits and applying her practical knowledge and experience within the profession of Psychology. Paula is currently a registered, consulting Psychologist, speaker, Board member and CEO of APPLI Pty Ltd and Managing Director of the Positive Psychology Institute Pty Ltd specialising in the science, application and integration of traditional Psychology and Positive Psychology. www.appli.edu.au; www.positivepsychologyinstitute.com.au

Paula has completed numerous research studies, invited keynote presentations and strategic positive change programs for government, private organisations, schools and the wider community, as well as published scientific and conference papers. Apart from presenting regularly in Australia, over the past few years Paula has been invited to present in Hungary, France, Hong Kong, Singapore, USA, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and Doha on her work with schools, universities and organisations.

Areas of Expertise

Paula’s high level skill sets encompass:

(a)  Designing high-level applied psychological strategic planning approaches aligned to key organisational objectives, culture/climate change and business wellbeing to measurably improve bottom line outcomes;

(b)  Practically applying and integrating the science of traditional Psychology, Positive Psychology and her PhD research on Mental Fitness across multiple contexts;

(c)  Providing consultancy, lectures, keynote presentations, workshops and evidence-based coaching to individuals, organisations, schools and the wider community. 

Qualifications

• Honorary Associate, Macquarie University

• Awarded an Australian Postgraduate Academic Scholarship

• Doctor of Philosophy. PhD – Topic: Conceptualising and Measuring Mental Fitness

• Bachelor of Science with Distinction, Dean’s Merit List

• Honours (Class 1) Psychology

• Full registration with Psychology Board of Australia

• Satisfies the Standards Association of Australia criteria for professional coaching

• Psychometric Testing Accreditation

• Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment & Training (AQF)

• Lecturer & Research Fellow at the University of Wollongong, Sydney Business School & School of Psychology

• Invited Lecturer, University of Melbourne, Graduate School of Education

EXAMPLES OF VALUED CLIENTS

Professional Experience

Paula has designed, delivered and assessed a broad range of psychological services (accredited & non accredited) for private and public sector organisations, schools and individuals. Examples include:

• Positive Psychology Theory Research & Application

• Positive Education in Schools at the Macro and Micro Levels

• Business Wellbeing Aligned to Organisational Objectives

• Mental Health & Wellbeing at School for Leaders, Teachers, Students & Parents

• Organisational Psychology Research and Practice

• Mental Fitness Assessment and Development

• Wellbeing Research and Application

• Managing Unconscious Bias in Organisations

• Individual, Executive, Team & Organisational evidence-based Coaching Programs

• Adolescent and Teacher Development

• Building Resilience at Work and in Life

• How to Build a Strengths-based Organisation

• Organisational Culture Change

• Leadership Development Programs

• Executive, Board & Business Coaching

• Positive Organisations Research and Practice

• Business Wellbeing & how it links to Organisational Outcomes

• OH&S - Risk Management & Mental Health

• Conflict Resolution

• Anger Management

• Relationship Management

• Emotional Intelligence

• Stress and Coping

• Psychological Assessment & Development

• Psychological Report Writing

• Management Theory and Application

• Human Aspects of Information Technology and Information Systems Success

• Attribution Theory and Application

Memberships

• Psychology Board of Australia, Registration No. PSY00013R3227

• The Australian Psychological Society

• Medicare Provider No. 4154301F

• Founding Member International Society for Coaching Psychology

• The International Association of Applied Psychology

• International Positive Psychology Association

• Centre for Applied Positive Psychology

• Human Relations & Information Technology Management Research Centre

• Golden Key International Honour Society

• Positive Education Schools Association

Panel & Expert Advisory Roles

• New South Wales Department of Education & Training

• New South Wales RailCorp

• Wellbeing Australia

• Prevention Magazine

• University of Wollongong, Sydney Business School

• Deakin University - How to promote mental health in the workplace

• International Positive Education Network (IPEN) Global Representative

• Honorary Associate Macquarie University

• Research Review Committee– International Positive Psychology Association, 5th World Congress on Positive Psychology

• Regional Representative International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA) Work & Organisational Division

• Reviewer Journal of Happiness Studies

• Reviewer International Journal of Wellbeing

University Lecturing Roles

• University of Wollongong

1.  Sydney Business School  - Lecturer

o   Positive Organisations (Graduate Certificate of Business Wellbeing)

o   Positive Psychology In Business

o   Executive MBA – Managing Mature Businesses

       2.  School of Psychology

o   Vocational Psychology

o   Research Methods & Statistics

• Sydney University:

o   Guest Lecturer - Coaching Psychology Unit

•   University of Melbourne:

o   Positive Organisations and Communities – Positive Organisational Change

o   Professional Certificate in Education

o   Melbourne Graduate School of Education - Masters of Applied Positive

      Psychology – Positive Psychology in Practice

•  Laureate International Universities (Australia) & Jansen Newman Institute:

Masters of Counselling and Applied Psychotherapy.

o   Positive Psychology Coaching

o   Cognitive Behavioural Therapy / Solution Focused Therapy

Media Roles Include

Prevention Magazine, Marie Claire, The Morning Show, ABC National Radio, Channel 10 News, The Business Program ABC TV, Today-FM, Australian Natural Health Magazine, Girlfriend Magazine, The Australian, Fitness Magazine & HCF Magazine, Spokesperson for Jenny Craig Australia.

Published Research, Book Chapters, Conference Papers & Invited Presentations Include

Robinson, P. (2019, May). Mental Fitness and PDHPE: Perfect partners to improve student wellbeing. Keynote & Workshop presentations. Association of Independent Schools (AIS) Conference, Sydney, Australia 

Robinson, P. (2019, April). Effective positive education strategies for pre-school and primary teachers. Invited 1 Day Workshop. Principals Academy, Singapore.

Robinson, P. (2019, April). Effective positive education strategies for secondary teachers Invited 1 Day Workshop. Principals Academy, Singapore.

Robinson, P. (2019, April). Simplifying school wellbeing: 5 steps to. Practising positive education. Invited 1 Day Workshop. Principals Academy, Singapore.

Robinson, P., & Noble, T. (2018, Jun). Positive Communities to Sustain Positive Education: Case Study Examples from the Frontline. Invited Workshop. 9th European Conference on Positive Psychology. Budapest, Hungary.

Robinson, P., & Quinlan, D. (2018, Jun). Beyond PERMA: Emerging Models Creating Choice and Innovation in Positive Education for Successful Application & Sustainability. Invited Workshop. 9th European Conference on Positive Psychology. Budapest, Hungary.

Robinson, P. (2018, May). How to Commence and Sustain a Mentally Healthy Workplace. Keynote presentation presented at Ozwater'18 Conference, Australian Water Association, Brisbane, Queensland.

Robinson, P. & Sloss, N. (2018, Apr). Positive education in an online world: a strengths-based

approach. Invited Workshop. Positive Education Schools Association Conference. Geelong, Victoria.

Robinson, P. (2018, Apr). Igniting and sustaining positive change through appreciative inquiry.  Positive Education Schools Association Conference. Invited Workshop. Geelong, Victoria.

Robinson, P. (2018, Apr). Igniting and sustaining positive change through appreciative inquiry.  Positive Education New Zealand Conference, Invited Keynote Presentation. Christchurch, New Zealand.

Robinson, P. & James, S. (2018, Apr). Positive Education and the Internet: Working together towards creating wellbeing for our young digital citizens. Invited Presentation. Australian Heads of Independent Schools Conference. Hobart, Tasmania. 

Robinson, P. (2018, Mar). Building Resilience. Invited Workshop. Principals Academy, Singapore.

Robinson, P. (2018, Mar). How to Design a Positive Education Model for Secondary Schools. Invited Workshop. Principals Academy, Singapore.

Robinson P. (2017, Oct). How to Commence & Sustain a Mentally Healthy Workplace. Invited Keynote Presentation, Injury Prevention and Return to Work Conference. Department of Industrial Relations, Brisbane Queensland.

Robinson, P. Leading with Mental Fitness. In Koonce, R., Robinson, P, Vogel, B. (Eds.) (2017). Developing Leaders for Positive Organizing. Bingley, United Kingdom: Emerald Group Publishing. 

Robinson, P., & Oades, L.G. Mental Fitness at Work. In Oades, L.G., Steger, M., Delle-Fave, A., & Passmore, J. (Eds.) (2017). The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of the Psychology of Positivity and Strengths-Based Approaches at Work. London: Wiley-Blackwell.

Robinson, P., & Weeks, J. (2017, Jul). Sustainable Positive Education - A Five Year  ́how to ́ Example with Measurable Wellbeing Outcomes and Supporting Lesson Plans. Workshop presented at the 5th World Conference on Positive Psychology, Montreal, Canada.

Robinson, P. (2016). Practising Positive Education: A guide to improve wellbeing literacy in schools. Sydney: Australia: Positive Psychology Institute.

Robinson, P. (2016, Jun). How to teach and embed wellbeing at work– summary content of a successful 3 day series. Presentation at the 8th European Positive Psychology Conference, Angers, France.

Robinson, P. (2016, Jun). Top 5 Character Strengths in Schools -Risk, Benefit or Both? Paper presented at the 8th European Positive Psychology Conference, Angers, France.

Robinson, P., & Weeks, J. (2016, Jun). Total Fitness: A Sustainable Positive Education Initiative. Workshop presented at the 8th European Positive Psychology Conference, Angers, France.

Robinson, P. (2016, Jul). Roadmap for Positive Education: Pathways for Low-Budget Schools. Workshop presented at the 1st International Positive Education Network Festival, Dallas, USA.

Noble, T. & Robinson, P. (2016, Jul). Can Strengths-Based Teaching Actually Weaken Students? Provocation presented at the 1st International Positive Education Network Festival, Dallas, USA.

Robinson, P., Dulagil, A., Oades, L. & Zolezzi, S. (2015, Jun). Total fitness: A Sustainable positive education program within an Australian secondary school. In L. Oades (Chair), Progress in Positive Education. Symposium conducted at the meeting of the 4th World Congress on Positive Psychology. Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA.

Robinson, P. (2015, Mar). Integrating positive mental health into Business as Usual. Presentation at the Victorian Workplace Mental Wellbeing Collaboration – a partnership involving SuperFriend, VicHealth and WorkSafe, Melbourne, Australia.

Robinson, P. L., Oades, L. G., & Caputi, P. (2015). Conceptualising and measuring mental fitness: A Delphi study. International Journal of Wellbeing, 5(1), 53-73.

Robinson, P. L., Conceptualising and measuring mental fitness, Doctor of Philosophy thesis, Department of Psychology, University of Wollongong, 2014. https://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/426 

Robinson, P. (2014, November). Well-Being in Classroom and School Communities with Positive Education. Focus and Advisory Panel presentation at the World Innovation Summit on Education, Doha, Qatar.

Robinson, P. (2014, Nov). Supporting workers during times of change. Keynote presentation at the ComSuper National Conference, Australian Government, Canberra, Australia.

Robinson, P. (2014, Sep). Supporting workers during times of change. Presentation at the Comcare National Conference, Australian Government, Canberra, Australia.

Robinson, P. (2014, Aug). Mental Fitness from research to practice: assisting to create positive organisations and wellbeing for the Australian Government. Presentation at the 15th International Mental Health Conference, Gold Coast, Australia.

Robinson, P. (2014, Jul). Mental Fitness from research to practice: assisting to create positive organisations and wellbeing for the Australian Government. In How can supervisors shape a more positive work environment? Symposium conducted at the meeting of the 7th European Positive Psychology Conference. Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Robinson, P., & Zolezzi S. (2014, Jul). Sustainable Positive Education – safeguarding buy-in. Presentation at the 28th International Congress of Applied Psychology, Paris, France.

Robinson, P., & Zolezzi, S. (2014, Jul). Positive Education – longitudinal scientific measurement strategy to inform best practice and organisational development. Presentation at the 28th International Congress of Applied Psychology, Paris, France.

Robinson, P., & Teasdale, G. (2014, Jul). Mental Fitness from Research to Practice: Assisting to create Positive Organisations & Well-being for the Australian Government. Presentation at the 28th International Congress of Applied Psychology, Paris, France.

Robinson, P., & Teasdale, G. (2014, Feb). Mental Fitness from Research to Practice: Assisting to create Positive Organisations & Well-being for the Australian Government. Presentation at the 4th Australian Positive Psychology and Well-being Conference, Developing a Sustained Impact, Melbourne, Australia.

Robinson, P., & Zolezzi, S. (2014, Feb). Sustainable Positive Education – safeguarding buy-in. Presentation at the 4th Australian Positive Psychology and Well-being Conference, Developing a Sustained Impact, Melbourne, Australia.

Robinson, P., & Zolezzi, S. (2014, Feb). Positive Education – longitudinal scientific measurement strategy to inform best practice and organisational development. Presentation at the 4th Australian Positive Psychology and Well-being Conference, Developing a Sustained Impact, Melbourne, Australia.

Robinson P. (2014, Jun). Building Classroom and School Communities with Positive Education. Keynote presentation at the Positive Schools Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Australia. 

Robinson P. (2014, Jun). Mental Fitness in Schools. Workshop presented at the Positive Schools Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Australia.

Robinson, P. (2013, Nov). Pump it Up: Boosting Your Mental Fitness. Keynote presentation at the 8th Mind & Its Potential Conference, Sydney, Australia. 

Robinson, P. (2013, Nov). Mental Fitness in Everyday Life. Workshop presented at  the 8th Mind & Its Potential Conference, Sydney, Australia.

Robinson, P. (2013, Sep). Mental Fitness at Work. Presentation at the Comcare National Conference, Australian Government, Canberra, Australia.

Robinson, P. (2013, Jul). Introduction to Positive Education. Keynote presentation at the The Well-being Forum: Department of Health, Education & Communities, Sydney, Australia.

Robinson, P. (2013, Jun). Sustainable Positive Education - safeguarding buy-in. In L. Oades (chair), A Systematic Approach to Positive Education. Symposium conducted at the meeting of the 3rd World Congress on Positive Psychology. Los Angeles, USA.

Robinson, P. (2013, Jun). Positive Education Research & Best Practice Applications. Workshop presented at the 3rd World Congress on Positive Psychology, Los Angeles, USA.

Robinson, P. (2013, Jun). Defining Mental Fitness: A Delphi Study. Presentation at the 3rd World Congress on Positive Psychology, Los Angeles, USA.

Bernard, M. E. & Robinson, P. (2013). The High Performance Mindset at Work. Workshop presented at the 3rd World Congress on Positive Psychology, Los Angeles, USA.

Oades, L. G., Robinson, P., Green, S., & Spence, G.B. (2013). Towards a positive university. In Parks, A.C. (Ed.). Positive Psychology in Higher Education. London: Routledge.

Robinson, P., & Oades L.G. (2012, Jun). Positive education research & best practice applications. Pre-conference workshop presented at 6th European Positive Psychology Conference, Moscow, Russia.

Robinson, P. (2012, May). Conceptualising and measuring mental fitness. In Emerging Researchers Symposium. Symposium conducted at the meeting of the 3rd Australian Positive Psychology and Well-being Conference. Wollongong, Australia. 

Weeks, J. & Robinson P. L. (2012, May). 21st century positive education programs: Implementation, evaluation and implications for policy. Presentation at the 3rd Australian Positive Psychology and Wellbeing Conference, Wollongong, Australia.

Green, L.S., Oades, L. G., & Robinson, P. L. (2012). Positive Education programmes: integrating coaching and positive psychology in schools. In C. Nieuwerburgh (Ed), Coaching in Education: Better results from pupils, parents and staff. London: Karnac Books. 

Green, L.S., Robinson, P.L. & Oades, L.G. (2011). The role of positive psychology in creating the psychologically literate citizen. In J. Cranney & D. S. Dunn (Eds.), The psychologically Literate Citizen: Foundations and global perspectives. New York: Oxford University Press.

Green, S., Oades, L., Robinson, P. (2011). Positive Education: Creating flourishing students, staff and schools. InPsych, The Bulletin of the Australian Psychological Society, 33(2). Retrieved from https://www.psychology.org.au/publications/inpsych/2011/april/green/

Oades, L.G., Robinson, P., Green, S., & Spence, G.B. (2011). Towards a positive university. Journal of Positive Psychology, 6(6), 432-439. 

Robinson, P. (2010, Jul). The role of a mental fitness construct within applied psychology. Presentation at the International Congress on Applied Psychology, Melbourne, Australia.

Robinson, P. (2010, Feb). The role of a Mental Fitness construct within Positive Psychology. Presentation at the 2nd Australian Positive Psychology and Well-Being Conference, Melbourne, Australia.

Robinson, P. (2009, Apr). The role of a mental fitness construct in positive psychology. Presentation at the 2nd Applied Positive Psychology Conference, University of Warwick, United Kingdom.

Robinson, P. (2009, Apr). The role of mental fitness within a positive psychology framework. Presentation at the 1st World Congress on Positive Psychology, Philadelphia, USA.

Elliott, R.H., & Robinson, P. (2007, Mar). Optimising ‘leadership’: theory, practice and professionalism. The Organisational Psychologist: Official Quarterly Newsletter of the College of Organisational Psychologists, Australian Psychological Society.

Oades, L.G., Caputi, P., Robinson, P.L., & Partridge, B. (2005). A Contemporary Coaching Theory to Integrate Work and Life in Changing Times. In M. Cavanagh, A. M. Grant & T. Kemp (Eds.), Evidence-Based Coaching (Vol. 1). Bowen Hills, QLD: Australian Academic Press.

Robinson, P., & Caputi, P. (2003). Psychological Factors predicting User Satisfaction in a Franchise Organisation. Presentation at the 6th European Conference on the Evaluation of Information Technology, Brunel University, United Kingdom.