Overview
Background
Rebecca Olson is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Queensland, cutting-edge translational qualitative researcher, mentor and award-winning educator with expertise in the sociologies of health and emotions. As Director of SocioHealthLab, she leads an interdisciplinary collective of researchers, health professional educators and practitioners interested in doing health and healthcare differently: more socially aware, more relational, more inclusive and more just. As Director of Teaching and Learning in the School of Social Science, she prioritises collaborative, reflexive, creative and emotions-centred practices in higher education. With over 75 scholarly publications – as well as news media and creative video productions – Rebecca is a prolific contributor to public debate. With research interests spanning medicinal cannabis and health professions education to climate anxiety, Olson is internationally renowned for bringing sociological insight to complex challenges related to emotions, wellbeing, healthcare and caregiving.
Availability
- Associate Professor Rebecca Olson is:
- Not available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Australian National University
Research interests
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Emotions, Methodology, Healthcare and Education
Emotions play a key role in how we experience and interact with the everyday world. Olson’s research intersects the sociology of emotions and the sociology of health & illness. Her work seeks to understand emotions and their importance to health and healthcare, with topics ranging from parents management of climate anxiety, to medicinal cannabis and wellbeing in advanced cancer contexts, Interprofessional practice, and higher education teaching and learning, including health professional education. Olson has a specific interest in innovative, participatory qualitative methodologies, such as video-reflexive ethnography and critical reflexive ethnography. This allows her to work collaboratively with health specialists and educators in ways that encourage greater insight into the minutiae of everyday healthcare and education practices. Recently, she has used these approaches to investigate: • Emotionally reflexive labour in palliative care and interprofessional practice • Socio-emotional aspects of cigarette smoking and lung cancer screening • Patient perspectives toward medicinal cannabis policy and it’s efficacy • Discourses of emotion and feedback in health professional education • Biopsychosocial approaches to physiotherapy and the work-readiness of graduate physiotherapists
Research impacts
With over a decade of experience as a teaching and research academic, Olson has a strong track record of higher degree research supervision, innovative teaching and learning scholarship and high impact research published in a range of top academic outlets such as Social Science & Medicine, Medical Education and Qualitative Health Research.
With competitive funding from NHMRC, ARC, Arthritis Australia, and Cancer Australia, Olson uses innovative sociological theory in the study of interprofessional and informal palliative care, biopsychosocial approaches in physiotherapy, medicinal cannabis treatment and policy, and emotions and reflexivity in higher education teaching and learning. Her research innovatively applies participatory methods such as video reflexive methodology, to enable collaborative, theory-informed research that invites health professionals – established and pre-licensure – to reflect upon and refine their practice.
Across all domains of her research, Olson advocates for the democratisation of research practices through participatory and reflexive approaches to knowledge production that promote social justice in healthcare.
Works
Search Professor Rebecca Olson’s works on UQ eSpace
2019
Book Chapter
Conclusion: emotions in late modernity
Patulny, Roger, Olson, Rebecca E., Khorana, Sukhmani, McKenzie, Jordan, Bellocchi, Alberto and Peterie, Michelle (2019). Conclusion: emotions in late modernity. Emotions in late modernity. (pp. 327-328) edited by Roger Patulny, Alberto Bellocchi, Rebecca E. Olson, Sukhmani Khorana, Jordan McKenzie and Michelle Peterie. Abingdon, Oxon & New York: Routledge.
2019
Book Chapter
Emotions in late modernity
Patulny, Roger and Olson, Rebecca E. (2019). Emotions in late modernity. Emotions in late modernity. (pp. 8-24) edited by Roger Patulny, Alberto Bellocchi, Rebecca E. Olson, Sukhmani Khorana, Jordan McKenzie and Michelle Peterie. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge.
2019
Journal Article
Emotion management and solidarity in the workplace: a call for a new research agenda
McKenzie, Jordan, Olson, Rebecca E., Patulny, Roger, Bellocchi, Alberto and Mills, Kathy A. (2019). Emotion management and solidarity in the workplace: a call for a new research agenda. Sociological Review, 67 (3), 672-688. doi: 10.1177/0038026118822982
2019
Book Chapter
Public health: historical and contemporary principles and practices
Olson, Rebecca E. (2019). Public health: historical and contemporary principles and practices. Public health: local and global perspectives. (pp. 25-42) edited by Pranee Liamputtong. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
2018
Journal Article
Domain-specific physical activity and affective wellbeing among adolescents: an observational study of the moderating roles of autonomous and controlled motivation
White, Rhiannon Lee, Parker, Philip D., Lubans, David R., MacMillan, Freya, Olson, Rebecca, Astell-Burt, Thomas and Lonsdale, Chris (2018). Domain-specific physical activity and affective wellbeing among adolescents: an observational study of the moderating roles of autonomous and controlled motivation. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 15 (1) 87, 87. doi: 10.1186/s12966-018-0722-0
2018
Journal Article
Genomics: the clinical encounter and parallels across complementary and personalized medicine
Olson, Rebecca E. and Cook, Peta S. (2018). Genomics: the clinical encounter and parallels across complementary and personalized medicine. Sociology Compass, 12 (9) e12621, e12621. doi: 10.1111/soc4.12621
2018
Journal Article
‘Manly tears exploded from my eyes, lets feel together brahs’: Emotion and masculinity within an online body building community
Underwood, Mair and Olson, Rebecca (2018). ‘Manly tears exploded from my eyes, lets feel together brahs’: Emotion and masculinity within an online body building community. Journal of Sociology, 55 (1), 144078331876661-107. doi: 10.1177/1440783318766610
2018
Journal Article
A qualitative investigation of the perceived influence of adolescents' motivation on relationships between domain-specific physical activity and positive and negative affect
White, Rhiannon Lee, Olson, Rebecca, Parker, Philip D., Astell-Burt, Thomas and Lonsdale, Chris (2018). A qualitative investigation of the perceived influence of adolescents' motivation on relationships between domain-specific physical activity and positive and negative affect. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 14, 113-120. doi: 10.1016/j.mhpa.2018.03.002
2018
Conference Publication
Undisciplining: post-paradigmatic analysis of emotions in social life
Olson, Rebecca E. (2018). Undisciplining: post-paradigmatic analysis of emotions in social life. The Australian Sociological Association Conference: Precarity, Rights and Resistance, Melbourne, Australia, 19-22 November 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
The VOTIS – developing a video observation tool for assessment of inter-professional skills
Copley, Jodie, Hill, Anne, Olson, Rebecca, Bartle, Emma, Dunwoodie, Ruth, Zuber, Alice and Barnett, Tessa (2018). The VOTIS – developing a video observation tool for assessment of inter-professional skills. Australian and New Zealand Association for Health Professional Education (ANZAHPE) Conference, Hobart, TAS, Tasmania, 1-4 July 2018.
2017
Journal Article
The sociology of emotions: A meta-reflexive review of a theoretical tradition in flux
Olson, Rebecca E., McKenzie, Jordan J. and Patulny, Roger (2017). The sociology of emotions: A meta-reflexive review of a theoretical tradition in flux. Journal of Sociology, 53 (4), 800-818. doi: 10.1177/1440783317744112
2017
Conference Publication
How and why emotions matter in interprofessional healthcare
Dadich, Ann and Olson, Rebecca E. (2017). How and why emotions matter in interprofessional healthcare. Olney, United Kingdom: Inderscience Publishers. doi: 10.1504/IJWOE.2017.083799
2017
Journal Article
‘No one wants to be taught from a textbook!’: pre-service health and physical education teachers’ reflections on skill acquisition and a new curriculum
Olson, Rebecca, Laidlaw, Penelope and Steel, Kylie (2017). ‘No one wants to be taught from a textbook!’: pre-service health and physical education teachers’ reflections on skill acquisition and a new curriculum. European Physical Education Review, 23 (4), 1-18. doi: 10.1177/1356336X16658222
2017
Journal Article
Examining interprofessional education through the lens of interdisciplinarity: power, knowledge and new ontological subjects
Olson, Rebecca E. and Brosnan, Caragh (2017). Examining interprofessional education through the lens of interdisciplinarity: power, knowledge and new ontological subjects. Minerva, 55 (3), 1-21. doi: 10.1007/s11024-017-9316-2
2017
Conference Publication
Building capacity for the development of interprofessional skills in undergraduate dental curricula
Bartle, Emma, Hill, Anne, Olson, Rebecca, Copley, Jodie, Dunwoodie, Ruth, Zuber, Alice and Barnett, Tessa (2017). Building capacity for the development of interprofessional skills in undergraduate dental curricula. International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Australia and New Zealand Conference, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 25-27 September 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Reflexivity2: fostering research reflexivity in university students studying group work as a group
Raymond, Stephanie and Olson, Rebecca E. (2017). Reflexivity2: fostering research reflexivity in university students studying group work as a group. The Australian Sociological Association Conference: Belonging in a Mobile World, Perth, WA, Australia, 27-30 November 2017.
2016
Other Outputs
Is this injectable tanning drug safe to use?
Raymond, Stephanie and Olson, Rebecca E. (2016, 06 16). Is this injectable tanning drug safe to use? The Conversation
2016
Journal Article
Developing cultural competence through self-reflection in interprofessional education: findings from an Australian university
Olson, Rebecca, Bidewell, John, Dune, Tinashe and Lessey, Nkosi (2016). Developing cultural competence through self-reflection in interprofessional education: findings from an Australian university. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 30 (3), 347-354. doi: 10.3109/13561820.2016.1144583
2016
Journal Article
Beliefs and knowledge about post-traumatic stress disorder amongst resettled Afghan refugees in Australia
Yaser, Anisa, Slewa-Younan, Shameran, Smith, Caroline A., Olson, Rebecca E., Uribe Guajardo, Maria Gabriela and Mond, Jonathan (2016). Beliefs and knowledge about post-traumatic stress disorder amongst resettled Afghan refugees in Australia. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 10 (1) 31, 31.1-31.9. doi: 10.1186/s13033-016-0065-7
2016
Journal Article
Teaching sociology to public health students: consumption as a reflective learning tool
Olson, Rebecca and Burns, Edgar (2016). Teaching sociology to public health students: consumption as a reflective learning tool. Focus on Health Professional Education: A Multi-Disciplinary Journal, 17 (1), 71-83. doi: 10.11157/fohpe.v17i1.123
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Rebecca Olson is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring how physiotherapists navigate distress in low back pain care
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stefanie Plage
-
Doctor Philosophy
Towards a Critical Post-humanist Symphony of Children-Deaths
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sally Staton
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding children's constructions and experiences of death, dying and loss
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sally Staton
-
Doctor Philosophy
Online Dating Experiences of Cancer Survivors
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mair Underwood, Dr Stefanie Plage
-
Doctor Philosophy
Online Dating Experiences of Cancer Survivors
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mair Underwood, Dr Stefanie Plage
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding obstetric violence in Australia: prevalence, experiences and maternity carers perspectives
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nigel Lee
-
Doctor Philosophy
Towards a Critical Post-humanist Symphony of Children-Deaths
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sally Staton
-
Doctor Philosophy
Online Dating Experiences of Cancer Survivors
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mair Underwood, Dr Stefanie Plage
-
Doctor Philosophy
Examination of constructions of health information exchange, as a specific action of person-centred care, occurring for and between professionals and patients.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Christy Noble
-
Doctor Philosophy
Beyond pathology: (re)conceptualising distress in physiotherapy and chronic low back pain care
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stefanie Plage
-
Doctor Philosophy
Discursive Renderings of Medicinal Cannabis Patients: Policy, Practice, Priorities
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jenny Munro
-
Doctor Philosophy
Online Dating Experiences of Cancer Survivors
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mair Underwood, Dr Stefanie Plage
-
Doctor Philosophy
Collaborative clinical practice in healthcare
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nadine Foster, Dr Lisa Anemaat
-
Doctor Philosophy
Evidence based use of oral medicinal cannabinoids in the palliative management of patients with advanced cancer
Associate Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Acceptance of digital mental health interventions: Sociodemographic aspects of user engagement with digital psychological interventions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Henman
-
Doctor Philosophy
Acceptance of digital mental health interventions: Sociodemographic aspects of user engagement with digital psychological interventions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Henman
-
Doctor Philosophy
Acceptance of digital mental health interventions: Sociodemographic aspects of user engagement with digital psychological interventions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Henman
Completed supervision
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Melanotanning: A Sociological investigation of user experiences of the injectable tanning peptide (melanotan) in the context of identity, health and risk.
Principal Advisor
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Navigating a diagnosis, navigating an identity: Adults diagnosed Asperger's Disorder/Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1
Principal Advisor
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
A study of the meanings of spirituality in the context of depression
Principal Advisor
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing low back pain care: Thinking and practising critically beyond the biopsychosocial model
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Hodges
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Gendered views on parole: Exploring how emotion and emotion management help to explain gender differences in the Australian public's views on parole
Associate Advisor
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Psychosis and Self-Transformation: Addressing Relationship Negotiation with the Unruly Self
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Rebecca Olson directly for media enquiries about:
- allied health training
- cancer
- carers
- interprofessional education
- social support
- sociology
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