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Associate Professor James Kirby
Associate Professor

James Kirby

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+61 7 336 56802

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

  • Deepening Self-Compassion

    This project will examine novel intervention strategies to deepen self-compassion

  • Compassionate decision-making

    This project is examining predictors to compassionate-decision making using behavioural measures

  • Compassion and athletes

    This project examines how compassion can help in the context of sports and athletes

  • 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

129 works between 2010 and 2025

81 - 100 of 129 works

2019

Journal Article

Human evolution and culture in relationship to shame in the parenting role: Implications for psychology and psychotherapy

Kirby, James N., Sampson, Hayley, Day, Jamin, Hayes, Alan and Gilbert, Paul (2019). Human evolution and culture in relationship to shame in the parenting role: Implications for psychology and psychotherapy. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 92 (2), 238-260. doi: 10.1111/papt.12223

Human evolution and culture in relationship to shame in the parenting role: Implications for psychology and psychotherapy

2019

Journal Article

Multiple Group IRT measurement invariance analysis of the forms of self-criticising/attacking and self-reassuring scale in thirteen international samples

Halamová, Júlia, Kanovský, Martin, Gilbert, Paul, Troop, Nicholas A., Zuroff, David C., Petrocchi, Nicola, Hermanto, Nicola, Krieger, Tobias, Kirby, James N., Asano, Kenichi, Matos, Marcela, Yu, FuYa, Sommers-Spijkerman, Marion, Shahar, Ben, Basran, Jaskaran and Kupeli, Nuriye (2019). Multiple Group IRT measurement invariance analysis of the forms of self-criticising/attacking and self-reassuring scale in thirteen international samples. Journal of Rational - Emotive and Cognitive - Behavior Therapy, 37 (4), 411-444. doi: 10.1007/s10942-019-00319-1

Multiple Group IRT measurement invariance analysis of the forms of self-criticising/attacking and self-reassuring scale in thirteen international samples

2019

Journal Article

Building an integrative science for psychotherapy for the 21st century: Preface and introduction

Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James N. (2019). Building an integrative science for psychotherapy for the 21st century: Preface and introduction. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 92 (2), 151-163. doi: 10.1111/papt.12225

Building an integrative science for psychotherapy for the 21st century: Preface and introduction

2019

Journal Article

Variation in the barriers to compassion across healthcare training and disciplines: a cross-sectional study of doctors, nurses, and medical students

Dev, Vinayak, Fernando, Antonio T., Kirby, James N. and Consedine, Nathan S. (2019). Variation in the barriers to compassion across healthcare training and disciplines: a cross-sectional study of doctors, nurses, and medical students. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 90, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2018.09.015

Variation in the barriers to compassion across healthcare training and disciplines: a cross-sectional study of doctors, nurses, and medical students

2019

Other Outputs

Parents as partners in Junior Rugby League: report to NRL research board

Sanders, Matthew R., Mallett, Cliff J., Kirby, James, Rynne, Steven and Marshall, David (2019). Parents as partners in Junior Rugby League: report to NRL research board. St Lucia, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Parents as partners in Junior Rugby League: report to NRL research board

2019

Journal Article

Shame, guilt, and secrets on the mind

Slepian, Michael L., Kirby, James N. and Kalokerinos, Elise K. (2019). Shame, guilt, and secrets on the mind. Emotion, 20 (2), 323-328. doi: 10.1037/emo0000542

Shame, guilt, and secrets on the mind

2018

Journal Article

Developmental changes in young children's willingness to copy the antisocial actions of ingroup members in a minimal group context

Wilks, Matti, Kirby, James and Nielsen, Mark (2018). Developmental changes in young children's willingness to copy the antisocial actions of ingroup members in a minimal group context. Developmental Psychology, 55 (4), 709-721. doi: 10.1037/dev0000667

Developmental changes in young children's willingness to copy the antisocial actions of ingroup members in a minimal group context

2018

Journal Article

Motivational interviewing in compassion-based interventions: theory and practical applications

Steindl, Stanley R., Kirby, James N. and Tellegan, Cassandra (2018). Motivational interviewing in compassion-based interventions: theory and practical applications. Clinical Psychologist, 22 (3), 265-279. doi: 10.1111/cp.12146

Motivational interviewing in compassion-based interventions: theory and practical applications

2018

Conference Publication

Compassion Symposium

Kirby, J.N., Tellegen, C.L., Steindl, S.R. and McLean, L. (2018). Compassion Symposium. AACBT National Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, October 2018.

Compassion Symposium

2018

Journal Article

To whom do we confide our secrets?

Slepian, Michael L. and Kirby, James N. (2018). To whom do we confide our secrets?. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 44 (7), 1008-1023. doi: 10.1177/0146167218756032

To whom do we confide our secrets?

2018

Journal Article

The factor structure of the forms of self-criticising/attacking & self-reassuring scale in thirteen distinct populations

Halamová, Júlia, Kanovský, Martin, Gilbert, Paul, Troop, Nicholas A., Zuroff, David C., Hermanto, Nicola, Petrocchi, Nicola, Sommers-Spijkerman, Marion, Kirby, James N., Shahar, Ben, Krieger, Tobias, Matos, Marcela, Asano, Kenichi, Yu, FuYa, Basran, Jaskaran and Kupeli, Nuriye (2018). The factor structure of the forms of self-criticising/attacking & self-reassuring scale in thirteen distinct populations. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 40 (4), 1-16. doi: 10.1007/s10862-018-9686-2

The factor structure of the forms of self-criticising/attacking & self-reassuring scale in thirteen distinct populations

2018

Journal Article

The cost of helping: an exploration of compassionate responding in children

Green, Mitchell, Kirby, James N. and Nielsen, Mark (2018). The cost of helping: an exploration of compassionate responding in children. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 36 (4), 673-678. doi: 10.1111/bjdp.12252

The cost of helping: an exploration of compassionate responding in children

2018

Journal Article

A randomized micro-trial of a loving-kindness meditation to help parents respond to difficult child behavior vignettes

Kirby, James N. and Baldwin, Sarah (2018). A randomized micro-trial of a loving-kindness meditation to help parents respond to difficult child behavior vignettes. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27 (5), 1614-1628. doi: 10.1007/s10826-017-0989-9

A randomized micro-trial of a loving-kindness meditation to help parents respond to difficult child behavior vignettes

2018

Journal Article

Children imitate antisocial in-group members

Wilks, Matti, Kirby, James and Nielsen, Mark (2018). Children imitate antisocial in-group members. Developmental Science, 21 (6) e12675, e12675. doi: 10.1111/desc.12675

Children imitate antisocial in-group members

2018

Journal Article

Feasibility and acceptability of a brief online self-compassion intervention for mothers of infants

Mitchell, Amy E., Whittingham, Koa, Steindl, Stanley and Kirby, James (2018). Feasibility and acceptability of a brief online self-compassion intervention for mothers of infants. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 21 (5), 1-9. doi: 10.1007/s00737-018-0829-y

Feasibility and acceptability of a brief online self-compassion intervention for mothers of infants

2018

Book Chapter

Parenting of adult children: a neglected area of parenting studies

Kirby, James N. and Hoang, Nam-Phuong T. (2018). Parenting of adult children: a neglected area of parenting studies. Handbook of parenting and child development across the lifespan. (pp. 653-675) edited by Matthew R. Sanders and Alina Morawska. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-94598-9_29

Parenting of adult children: a neglected area of parenting studies

2017

Journal Article

A meta-analysis of compassion-based interventions: current state of knowledge and future directions

Kirby, James N., Tellegen, Cassandra L. and Steindl, Stanley R. (2017). A meta-analysis of compassion-based interventions: current state of knowledge and future directions. Behavior Therapy, 48 (6), 778-792. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2017.06.003

A meta-analysis of compassion-based interventions: current state of knowledge and future directions

2017

Journal Article

Compassion interventions: the programmes, the evidence, and implications for research and practice

Kirby, James N. (2017). Compassion interventions: the programmes, the evidence, and implications for research and practice. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 90 (3), 432-455. doi: 10.1111/papt.12104

Compassion interventions: the programmes, the evidence, and implications for research and practice

2017

Journal Article

An evolutionary model to conceptualise masculinity and compassion in male teenagers: a unifying framework

Kirby, James N. and Kirby, Peter G. (2017). An evolutionary model to conceptualise masculinity and compassion in male teenagers: a unifying framework. Clinical Psychologist, 21 (2), 74-89. doi: 10.1111/cp.12129

An evolutionary model to conceptualise masculinity and compassion in male teenagers: a unifying framework

2017

Journal Article

A randomized micro-trial of a loving-kindness meditation for young adults living at home with their parents

Kirby, James N. and Laczko, David (2017). A randomized micro-trial of a loving-kindness meditation for young adults living at home with their parents. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 26 (7), 1-12. doi: 10.1007/s10826-017-0692-x

A randomized micro-trial of a loving-kindness meditation for young adults living at home with their parents

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2026
    The BRAVE Project - BReAking resistance, designing a short in-situ interVEntion to help non-donors overcome blood donation distress
    Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    Brief compassion training with Intensive Bail Initiative clients and staff
    Anglicare Southern Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2026
    Supporting fathers experiencing a traumatic pregnancy: Towards holistic care
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2025
    A Compassionate Decision-Making Model to Increase Compassionate Behavior
    Mind & Life PEACE Grants Program
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Examining the Psychological Wellbeing of Young Adults with Disability Transitioning from Aged Care to Integrated Residential Living
    YoungCare Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Neural Correlates of Compassion vs. Kindness
    The Compassionate Mind Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Development and pilot testing of the Active Triple P program for parents of Junior Rugby League players
    Rugby League Research Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Supporting the wellbeing of workers with injury: Compassion-focused approaches using digital technology
    University of Newcastle
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Creating a thriving community for young people through junior rugby league
    Rugby League Research Projects
    Open grant

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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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, Dr Sasha Lynn

  • 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 Jolanda Jetten

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Online Compassion-Based Intervention for Caregivers of Children Born Preterm

    Principal Advisor

  • 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

  • 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

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Psychological flexibility and coaching in Australian high performance sport

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Cliff Mallett

  • 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

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor James Kirby directly for media enquiries about:

  • altruism
  • compassion
  • empathy
  • parenting
  • self-compassion
  • shame

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au