Responsible Innovative Interventions in Youth Mental Healthcare

I am Associate Professor of Strategy at Auckland University of Technology (AUT). My research is centred on data and technology, with a particular focus on data ethics, data governance, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies, and is closely aligned to Horizon Europe priorities under Destination 3 (digital technologies and youth mental health).

My work has attracted significant external funding and has been published in leading international journals such as Journal of Consumer Marketing, International Journal of Market Research, Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society, Online Information Review.

I am currently leading an externally funded, interdisciplinary research project examining the safe and ethical implementation of AI-driven technologies in youth mental healthcare.  This research addresses the ethical, cultural, and equity implications of AI-enabled mental health technologies. Drawing on a community-based participatory research approach, my research integrates the perspectives of young people, mental health practitioners, technology developers, and policymakers. The research generates co-designed, practice-oriented ethical guidelines and policy frameworks to support the safe, fair, and effective use of AI in youth mental healthcare. In addition, I am leading and contributing to projects on responsible immersive technologies in healthcare, hence offering actionable expertise that can be directly applied to Horizon Europe-funded initiatives.

Within a Horizon Europe consortium, I would contribute as a work package lead or senior partner, with expertise in the following areas:

• Data and technology ethics - understanding unintended consequences of emerging technologies

• Qualitative and mixed-methods research (interviews, focus groups, community-based participatory research, stakeholder participatory research, co-design)

• Development of evidence-based governance frameworks that are culturally responsive, inclusive, and aligned with principles of equity and social justice

• Integration of ethical and cultural considerations across technical work packages and supporting for translating research outcomes into policy-relevant guidance at international levels.

I am seeking collaboration with project coordinators or established consortia seeking expertise in the ethics of emerging technologies, digital ethics, and digital well-being. In particular, I am interested in initiatives focused on the design and evaluation of digital and AI-enabled mental health solutions and interventions, with the aim of strengthening ethical robustness, impact, and scalability across diverse European and international contexts.