social identity; intergroup relations; stigma; discrimination; social determinants of mental and physical health; health promotion

Joanne Rathbone is a social and health psychology researcher. She uses theory-driven and applied methods to investigate social determinants of health and behaviour, with a particular focus on stigma, social identities, and intergroup relations. Joanne was awarded her PhD in social psychology from the University of Queensland in November 2021. Her thesis examined novel psychological and social determinants of weight stigma and discrimination and the implications for public and primary health care. Joanne is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Research School of Psychology at ANU. Her research currently focuses on understanding how stigma and group norms create barriers to social support and health, including successful health promotion and access to quality health care, and the efficacy of interventions that strive to break down those barriers. Other research interests include the curative or harmful effects social groups can have on health and behaviour, and understanding the processes through which social connection with groups can be fostered or disrupted.