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
2017
Book Chapter
Working with grandparents and extended family members
Kirby, James N. (2017). Working with grandparents and extended family members. The Power of Positive Parenting. (pp. 196-205) edited by Matthew R. Sanders and Trevor G. Mazzucchelli. New York, NY, United States: Oxford University Press.. doi: 10.1093/med-psych/9780190629069.003.0016
2017
Book Chapter
Quality assurance and program development
Sanders, Matthew R. and Kirby, James N. (2017). Quality assurance and program development. The power of positive parenting: transforming the lives of children, parents, and communities using the Triple P system. (pp. 460-471) edited by Matthew R. Sanders and Trevor G. Mazzuchelli. New York, United States: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/med-psych/9780190629069.003.0043
2017
Book Chapter
Compassion as the highest ethic
Kirby, James N., Steindl, Stanley R. and Doty, James R. (2017). Compassion as the highest ethic. Mindfulness in Behavioral Health. (pp. 253-277) edited by Lynette M. Monteiro, Jane F. Compson and Frank Musten. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-64924-5_10
2017
Book Chapter
The emergence of the compassion focused therapies
Kirby, James N. and Gilbert, Paul (2017). The emergence of the compassion focused therapies. Compassion: concepts, research and applications. (pp. 258-285) edited by Paul Gilbert. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781315564296
2017
Book Chapter
Compassionate parenting: The role of compassion in parenting
Kirby, J.N. (2017). Compassionate parenting: The role of compassion in parenting. The Handbook of Compassion Science. edited by Emma M. Seppälä, Emiliana Simon-Thomas, Stephanie L. Brown, Monica C. Worline, C. Daryl Cameron and James R. Doty. Oxford, England, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190464684.013.8
2016
Journal Article
A clinician's quick guide of evidence-based approaches: childhood disruptive disorders
Kirby, James N., Sanders, Matthew R. and Mazzucchelli, Trevor G. (2016). A clinician's quick guide of evidence-based approaches: childhood disruptive disorders. Clinical Psychologist, 20 (3), 154-155. doi: 10.1111/cp.12076
2016
Journal Article
The role of mindfulness and compassion in enhancing nurturing family environments
Kirby, James N. (2016). The role of mindfulness and compassion in enhancing nurturing family environments. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 23 (2), 142-157. doi: 10.1111/cpsp.12149
2015
Journal Article
Erratum to: using consumer input to tailor evidence-based parenting interventions to the needs of grandparents
Kirby, James N. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2015). Erratum to: using consumer input to tailor evidence-based parenting interventions to the needs of grandparents. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24 (5), 1527-1527. doi: 10.1007/s10826-015-0164-0
2015
Journal Article
Surviving or thriving: quality assurance mechanisms to promote innovation in the development of evidence-based parenting interventions
Sanders, Matthew R. and Kirby, James N. (2015). Surviving or thriving: quality assurance mechanisms to promote innovation in the development of evidence-based parenting interventions. Prevention Science, 16 (3), 421-431. doi: 10.1007/s11121-014-0475-1
2015
Journal Article
The acceptability of parenting strategies for grandparents providing care to their grandchildren
Kirby, James N. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2015). The acceptability of parenting strategies for grandparents providing care to their grandchildren. Prevention Science, 16 (3), 486-486. doi: 10.1007/s11121-015-0546-y
2015
Journal Article
The Potential Benefits of Parenting Programs for Grandparents: Recommendations and Clinical Implications
Kirby, James N. (2015). The Potential Benefits of Parenting Programs for Grandparents: Recommendations and Clinical Implications. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24 (11), 3200-3212. doi: 10.1007/s10826-015-0123-9
2014
Journal Article
A public-health approach to improving parenting and promoting children's well-being
Sanders, Matthew R. and Kirby, James N. (2014). A public-health approach to improving parenting and promoting children's well-being. Child Development Perspectives, 8 (4), 250-257. doi: 10.1111/cdep.12086
2014
Journal Article
Erratum to "The triple P-positive parenting program: A systematic review and meta-analysis of a multi-level system of parenting support" [CPR (2014) 337-357]
Sanders, Matthew R., Kirby, James N., Tellegen, Cassandra L. and Day, Jamin J. (2014). Erratum to "The triple P-positive parenting program: A systematic review and meta-analysis of a multi-level system of parenting support" [CPR (2014) 337-357]. Clinical Psychology Review, 34 (8), 658-658. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2014.09.001
2014
Journal Article
Corrigendum to "A randomized controlled trial evaluating a parenting program designed specifically for grandparents"
Kirby, James N. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2014). Corrigendum to "A randomized controlled trial evaluating a parenting program designed specifically for grandparents". Behaviour Research and Therapy, 63, 185-185. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2014.11.002
2014
Journal Article
Giving voice to working mothers: a consumer informed study to program design for working mothers
Haslam, Divna M., Patrick, Pamela and Kirby, James N. (2014). Giving voice to working mothers: a consumer informed study to program design for working mothers. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24 (8), 2463-2473. doi: 10.1007/s10826-014-0049-7
2014
Conference Publication
Triple P Research in Perspective: Meta-Analysis of Triple P Studies
Kirby, J.N. and Tellegen, C.L. (2014). Triple P Research in Perspective: Meta-Analysis of Triple P Studies. Helping Families Change Conference, Sydney, NSW Australia, October 2014.
2014
Journal Article
The Triple P-Positive Parenting Program: a systematic review and meta-analysis of a multi-level system of parenting support
Sanders, Matthew R., Kirby, James N., Tellegen, Cassandra L. and Day, Jamin J. (2014). The Triple P-Positive Parenting Program: a systematic review and meta-analysis of a multi-level system of parenting support. Clinical Psychology Review, 34 (4), 337-357. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2014.04.003
2014
Journal Article
The effectiveness of the Grandparent Triple P program with Chinese families: a randomized controlled trial.
Leung, Cynthia, Sanders, Matthew, Fung, Barbara and Kirby, James (2014). The effectiveness of the Grandparent Triple P program with Chinese families: a randomized controlled trial.. Journal of Family Studies, 20 (2), 104-117. doi: 10.1080/13229400.2014.11082000
2014
Journal Article
A randomized controlled trial evaluating a parenting program designed specifically for grandparents
Kirby, James N. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2014). A randomized controlled trial evaluating a parenting program designed specifically for grandparents. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 52 (1), 35-44. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2013.11.002
2013
Journal Article
Using a behavioural family intervention to produce a three-generational benefit on family outcomes: a case report
Kirby, James N. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2013). Using a behavioural family intervention to produce a three-generational benefit on family outcomes: a case report. Behaviour Change, 30 (4), 249-261. doi: 10.1017/bec.2013.24
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
-
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
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
-
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Online Compassion-Based Intervention for Caregivers of Children Born Preterm
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Gender and sexuality perspectives on body image
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gemma Sharp
-
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
-
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
-
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
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
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
-
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
-
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
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Compassion Focused Therapy for Body Weight Shame
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stacey Parker, Dr Tegan Cruwys
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
The Neurophysiological Correlates of Compassion
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stacey Parker, Professor Ross Cunnington
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Nurturing ChAMPs: Child and Adolescent mental health and Maternal wellbeing following Preterm birth.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Samudragupta Bora
-
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
-
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
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: