Overview
Background
James N. Kirby, Ph.D., is a Clinical Psychologist and the Co-Director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group at the University of Queensland. He has broad research interests in compassion, but specifically examines factors that facilitate and inhibit compassionate responding. He also examines the clinical effectiveness of compassion focused interventions, specifically in how they help with self-criticism and shame that underpin many depression and anxiety disorders. James also holds a Visiting Fellowship at the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University and is an Honorary Member of the Compassionate Mind Foundation UK. In 2022 he authored Choose Compassion, and in 2020 he co-edited Making an Impact on Mental Health. He serves as an Associate Editor for two international journals Mindfulness and Psychology & Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice.
Availability
- Associate Professor James Kirby is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Psychological Science, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Deepening Self-Compassion
This project will examine novel intervention strategies to deepen self-compassion
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Compassionate decision-making
This project is examining predictors to compassionate-decision making using behavioural measures
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Compassion and athletes
This project examines how compassion can help in the context of sports and athletes
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Examining the psychological impacts of integrated residential housing for young people with high-level disability
This project is supported by funding from YoungCare
Works
Search Professor James Kirby’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Compassion as a transdiagnostic target to reduce mental health symptoms and promote well-being
Kirby, James N. (2025). Compassion as a transdiagnostic target to reduce mental health symptoms and promote well-being. Nature Reviews Psychology 80, 1-15. doi: 10.1038/s44159-025-00422-4
2025
Journal Article
Fathers’ Self-Compassion and Child Attachment Quality: Testing a Sequential Indirect Effect via Emotion Regulation Difficulties, Loneliness, and Psychological Distress in Two Paternal Samples
van Heerden, Daniel, Mazzucchelli, Trevor G., Kirby, James N., Brett, Jack D. and Mancini, Vincent O. (2025). Fathers’ Self-Compassion and Child Attachment Quality: Testing a Sequential Indirect Effect via Emotion Regulation Difficulties, Loneliness, and Psychological Distress in Two Paternal Samples. Mindfulness. doi: 10.1007/s12671-025-02538-3
2025
Journal Article
A preliminary investigation into self-compassion and compassion-based intervention for mental health in the performing arts
Walton, Courtney C., Kirby, James N., McKenzie, Sabrina, Gao, Caroline X., Purcell, Rosemary, Rice, Simon M. and Osborne, Margaret S. (2025). A preliminary investigation into self-compassion and compassion-based intervention for mental health in the performing arts. Frontiers in Psychology, 16 1512114. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1512114
2025
Journal Article
Daily effects of a brief compassion‐focused intervention for self‐compassion
Varley, Deanna, Sherwell, Chase S. and Kirby, James N. (2025). Daily effects of a brief compassion‐focused intervention for self‐compassion. British Journal of Psychology, 116 (1), 183-197. doi: 10.1111/bjop.12746
2025
Journal Article
Compassion focused imagery reduces fears of compassion irrespective of attachment
Varley, Deanna, Sherwell, Chase S. and Kirby, James N. (2025). Compassion focused imagery reduces fears of compassion irrespective of attachment. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 72 (1), 69-79. doi: 10.1037/cou0000770
2025
Journal Article
Examining the Impact of a Brief Compassion Focused Intervention on Everyday Experiences of Compassion in Autistic Adults Through Psychophysiology and Experience Sampling
Sherwell, Chase S., Varley, Deanna, Kinnane, Claudia, Turner, Wesley, Zimmerman, David and Kirby, James N. (2025). Examining the Impact of a Brief Compassion Focused Intervention on Everyday Experiences of Compassion in Autistic Adults Through Psychophysiology and Experience Sampling. Applied Psychophysiology Biofeedback. doi: 10.1007/s10484-024-09681-y
2024
Journal Article
The effectiveness of brief workplace compassion-focussed training in improving wellbeing of stressed school employees
Healy, Karyn L., Payne, Kirsty and Kirby, James N. (2024). The effectiveness of brief workplace compassion-focussed training in improving wellbeing of stressed school employees. Australian Journal of Management. doi: 10.1177/03128962241270860
2024
Journal Article
Attachment and propensity for reporting compassionate opportunities and behavior in everyday life
Varley, Deanna, Sherwell, Chase S. and Kirby, James N. (2024). Attachment and propensity for reporting compassionate opportunities and behavior in everyday life. Frontiers in Psychology, 15 1409537. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1409537
2024
Book Chapter
Compassion focused therapy and heart rate variability
Sherwell, Chase S. and Kirby, James N. (2024). Compassion focused therapy and heart rate variability. Integrating psychotherapy and Psychophysiology: theory, assessment, and practice. (pp. 391-411) edited by Donald Moss. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/oso/9780198888727.003.0018
2024
Journal Article
Social rank and compassion: how insecure striving, social safeness and fears of compassion mediate the relationship between masculinity, depression and anxiety
Kirby, James N., Day, Jamin and Gilbert, Paul (2024). Social rank and compassion: how insecure striving, social safeness and fears of compassion mediate the relationship between masculinity, depression and anxiety. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 97 (2), 339-353. doi: 10.1111/papt.12520
2024
Journal Article
Compassion training influences heart-rate variability within severe depression
Kim, Jeffrey J., Sherwell, Chase, Parker, Stacey L. and Kirby, James N. (2024). Compassion training influences heart-rate variability within severe depression. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 16 100760, 100760. doi: 10.1016/j.jadr.2024.100760
2024
Journal Article
Self-compassionate motivation and athlete well-being: the critical role of distress tolerance
Walton, Courtney C., Lewis, Kelsey J., Kirby, James, Purcell, Rosemary, Rice, Simon M. and Osborne, Margaret S. (2024). Self-compassionate motivation and athlete well-being: the critical role of distress tolerance. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 18 (1), 131-149. doi: 10.1123/jcsp.2022-0009
2024
Journal Article
A multi-level meta-analytic review of attachment and fears of compassion
Varley, Deanna, Sherwell, Chase S., Fu, Mina and Kirby, James N. (2024). A multi-level meta-analytic review of attachment and fears of compassion. Personality and Individual Differences, 218 112477, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2023.112477
2024
Journal Article
A brief compassion focused therapy intervention can increase moral expansiveness: a randomized controlled trial
Kirby, James N., Hoang, April and Crimston, Charlie R. (2024). A brief compassion focused therapy intervention can increase moral expansiveness: a randomized controlled trial. Mindfulness, 15 (2), 1-13. doi: 10.1007/s12671-023-02300-7
2024
Journal Article
Evaluating multidimensional facets of the maternal experience after preterm birth
Fitzallen, Grace C., Kirby, James N., Taylor, H. Gerry, Liley, Helen G. and Bora, Samudragupta (2024). Evaluating multidimensional facets of the maternal experience after preterm birth. Journal of Perinatology, 44 (5), 635-642. doi: 10.1038/s41372-024-01865-y
2024
Book
Essentials of Compassion Focused Therapy: A Practice Manual for Clinicians
Petrocchi, Nicola, Kirby, James and Baldi, Beatrice (2024). Essentials of Compassion Focused Therapy: A Practice Manual for Clinicians. London, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003436058
2024
Journal Article
Beyond the physical: The interplay of experienced weight stigma, internalised weight bias and depression in lipoedema
Clarke, Chantelle, Kirby, James N. and Best, Talitha (2024). Beyond the physical: The interplay of experienced weight stigma, internalised weight bias and depression in lipoedema. Clinical Obesity. doi: 10.1111/cob.12727
2023
Journal Article
Understanding parenting behavior in junior rugby league in Australia
Mallett, Clifford J., Sanders, Matthew R., Dittman, Cassandra K., Kirby, James N. and Rynne, Steven B. (2023). Understanding parenting behavior in junior rugby league in Australia. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 33 (1), 271-287. doi: 10.1007/s10826-023-02744-4
2023
Journal Article
Risk profiles of the preterm behavioral phenotype in children aged 3 to 18 years
Fitzallen, Grace C., Griffin, Alison, Taylor, H. Gerry, Kirby, James N., Liley, Helen G. and Bora, Samudragupta (2023). Risk profiles of the preterm behavioral phenotype in children aged 3 to 18 years. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 11 1084970, 1084970. doi: 10.3389/fped.2023.1084970
2023
Journal Article
Fears and resistances to mindfulness: development of a self-report scale
Gilbert, Paul, Basran, Jaskaran, Plowright, Ptarmigan, Matos, Marcela, Kirby, James and Petrocchi, Nicola (2023). Fears and resistances to mindfulness: development of a self-report scale. Mindfulness, 14 (11), 2602-2616. doi: 10.1007/s12671-023-02171-y
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor James Kirby is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Deepening Self-Compassion
This PhD project is aimed at examining novel intervention strategies to deepen self-compassion. The project involves multi-modal approaches, including the use of video-recording, physiology, and self-report measures
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Examining an online Compassion Skills Training intervention
This PhD project will examine a newly created online Compassion Skills Training intervention, which includes six modules. The progam is self-directed and aimed towards populations that have difficulty with self-criticism and shame.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding and Enhancing Doctor, Nurse and Patient Compassion in Healthcare
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Gender and sexuality perspectives on body image
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gemma Sharp
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Doctor Philosophy
Social and Affective Impacts of Adult Attachment Style on The Experience of Compassion
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jonathan Redshaw, Dr Chase Sherwell
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Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Online Compassion-Based Intervention for Caregivers of Children Born Preterm
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Gender and sexuality perspectives on body image
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gemma Sharp
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Doctor Philosophy
Feasibility and pilot testing of a compassion-focused intervention in young offenders and children in care
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Chase Sherwell
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Doctor Philosophy
Fostering resilience and personal growth for people with traumatic spinal cord injury
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Melanie Hoyle, Associate Professor Jacki Liddle
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Doctor Philosophy
An examination of men's social reactions to disclosures of non-physical intimate partner violence
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Fiona Barlow, Professor Barbara Masser
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Doctor Philosophy
NAVIGATEVR. Understanding age-related differences in hazard perception by leveraging insights from the virtual world.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sarah Coundouris, Dr Nell Baghaei, Professor Julie Henry
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Doctor Philosophy
Psychological flexibility and coaching in Australian high performance sport
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Cliff Mallett
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Doctor Philosophy
Fostering resilience and personal growth for people with traumatic spinal cord injury
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Melanie Hoyle, Associate Professor Jacki Liddle
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Doctor Philosophy
Mindful and compassionate nature connection to increase the well-being of family members caring for people living with dementia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Theresa Scott
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Social and Affective Impacts of Adult Attachment Style on Sensitivity to Distress and the Experience of Compassion
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jonathan Redshaw, Dr Chase Sherwell
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Compassion Focused Therapy for Body Weight Shame
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stacey Parker, Dr Tegan Cruwys
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
The Neurophysiological Correlates of Compassion
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stacey Parker, Professor Ross Cunnington
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Nurturing ChAMPs: Child and Adolescent mental health and Maternal wellbeing following Preterm birth.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Samudragupta Bora
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
The Efficacy of Triple P Plus Compassion in Promoting Co-parenting Relationship Between Parents and Grandparents in Vietnam
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Divna Haslam
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
The role of antisocial behaviour and group membership on children's imitation across development
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Nielsen
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor James Kirby directly for media enquiries about:
- altruism
- compassion
- empathy
- parenting
- self-compassion
- shame
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