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Associate Professor Karen Turner
Associate Professor

Karen Turner

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Phone: 
+61 7 336 57302

Overview

Background

Karen Turner is a clinical psychologist and research academic. She is Deputy Director at the Parenting and Family Support Centre. Her research activity focuses on the impact of evidence-based parenting support on child, family and community outcomes. She is a foundational co-author of the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program and has published more than 50 professional manuals, parent workbooks, tip sheet series, and video programs, which are currently being used in 27 countries, in 20 languages. She has also co-written television segments and four interactive online parenting programs. She has clinical and research experience relating to parent wellbeing, child development, and the prevention and treatment of a variety of childhood behavioural and emotional problems, including work with feeding disorders, pain syndromes and conduct problems. Her research has also focused on the development and evaluation of brief primary care interventions in the prevention of behaviour disorders in children, and the dissemination of these interventions to the professional community. She has also conducted series of research into: online delivery of parenting programs; the cultural tailoring of mainstream parenting programs for Indigenous families; and enhancing the training and post-training environment for Indigenous professionals. Her current work includes further resource development for primary care settings, early education settings, and an ongoing focus on making evidence-based parenting support programs more accessible for First Nations families, and in low-resource and developing communities.

Availability

Associate Professor Karen Turner is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Arts, The University of Queensland
  • Bachelor (Honours) of Arts, The University of Queensland
  • Masters (Coursework), The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research impacts

Associate Professor Turner has over 35 years of experience in the development, evaluation and dissemination of behavioural family intervention and prevention programs. Her work has primarily revolved around the UQ flagship Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, which has been subjected to over 400 research trials by over 1700 researchers in over 540 institutions; is used by more than 77,000 trained and accredited practitioners from different disciplines; and has reached more than an estimated 7 million children. The key theme of her program development and research endeavours has been increasing access to evidence-based parenting and family support for all families, with the aim of reducing population prevalence rates of child behavioural and emotional problems, family conflict and adversity. The impact of this work is both instrumental (in shaping policy, professional practice and family outcomes) and capacity building (in building community, organisational, professional and individual skills), and is establishing enduring international connectivity. It has led to adoption of evidence-based parenting programs by most state governments in Australia, and from a county/province to a national level in other countries. Her work in the cultural tailoring of programs for Australian First Nations families has engendered interest from other First Nations populations (e.g. Canada, New Zealand) and migrant and resettled families.

Works

Search Professor Karen Turner’s works on UQ eSpace

153 works between 1986 and 2025

1 - 20 of 153 works

2025

Conference Publication

The science of play: development and validation of three brief measures of playgroup outcomes

Isaac, H. and Turner, K. M. T. (2025). The science of play: development and validation of three brief measures of playgroup outcomes. International Congress on Evidence-based Parenting Support, Online, 4 - 7 June 2025.

The science of play: development and validation of three brief measures of playgroup outcomes

2025

Book

A guide to Triple P seminars

Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2025). A guide to Triple P seminars. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International.

A guide to Triple P seminars

2025

Book

Practitioner’s manual for Triple P seminars

Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2025). Practitioner’s manual for Triple P seminars. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International.

Practitioner’s manual for Triple P seminars

2024

Journal Article

Finding Solutions to Scaling Parenting Programs That Work: a Systems-Contextual Approach

Turner, Karen M. T. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2024). Finding Solutions to Scaling Parenting Programs That Work: a Systems-Contextual Approach. Prevention Science, 1-11. doi: 10.1007/s11121-024-01755-x

Finding Solutions to Scaling Parenting Programs That Work: a Systems-Contextual Approach

2024

Conference Publication

Tailoring evidence-based parent support with Indigenous community service partners

Ponnapalli, A., Turner, K. M. T., Cliff, L. and Forster, M. (2024). Tailoring evidence-based parent support with Indigenous community service partners. 44th National Conference of the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy: making meaning with cognitive and behavioural therapies, Brisbane/Meeanjin, QLD, Australia, 17 - 19 October 2024.

Tailoring evidence-based parent support with Indigenous community service partners

2024

Conference Publication

Exploring perceptions of Pakistani orphanage staff on the implementation of Triple P

Khalid, A., Morawska, A. and Turner, K. M. T. (2024). Exploring perceptions of Pakistani orphanage staff on the implementation of Triple P. Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy 44th National Conference, Brisbane/Meeanjin, QLD, Australia, 17 - 19 October 2024.

Exploring perceptions of Pakistani orphanage staff on the implementation of Triple P

2024

Conference Publication

Drawing on community voices to create a universal public service campaign for Cherbourg parents and carers and beyond

Ponnapalli, A., Turner, K. M. T., Fisher, T. and Monk, M. (2024). Drawing on community voices to create a universal public service campaign for Cherbourg parents and carers and beyond. 44th National Conference of the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy: making meaning with cognitive and behavioural therapies, Brisbane/Meeanjin, QLD, Australia, 17 - 19 October 2024.

Drawing on community voices to create a universal public service campaign for Cherbourg parents and carers and beyond

2024

Book Chapter

Enhancing outcomes for vulnerable parents, children, and communities using the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program System: Innovations and future directions

Sanders, Matthew R., Ma, Tianyi, Hoang, Nam-Phuong T. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2024). Enhancing outcomes for vulnerable parents, children, and communities using the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program System: Innovations and future directions. Routledge handbook of child and family social work research: knowledge-building, application, and impact. (pp. 217-230) edited by Elizabeth Fernandez, Penelope Welbourne, Bethany Lee and Joyce L. C. Ma. London, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.4324/9781003241492-16

Enhancing outcomes for vulnerable parents, children, and communities using the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program System: Innovations and future directions

2024

Journal Article

Supporting families affected by adversity: an open feasibility trial of Family Life Skills Triple P

Sanders, Matthew R., M. T. Turner, Karen, Baker, Sabine, Ma, Tianyi, Chainey, Carys, Horstead, Siân K., Wimalaweera, Subodha, Gardner, Susan and Eastwood, John (2024). Supporting families affected by adversity: an open feasibility trial of Family Life Skills Triple P. Behavior Therapy, 55 (3), 621-635. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2023.09.004

Supporting families affected by adversity: an open feasibility trial of Family Life Skills Triple P

2024

Other Outputs

Dar’in Djanum (Strong together) final project report

Turner, K. M. T, Ponnapalli, A., Forster, M. and Sanders, M.R. (2024). Dar’in Djanum (Strong together) final project report. Brisbane: The University of Queensland.

Dar’in Djanum (Strong together) final project report

2024

Journal Article

Connecting families, schools, and communities: A systems‐contextual approach to sustainable futures for children

Hoang, April, Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T., Morawska, Alina, Cobham, Vanessa, Chainey, Carys and Simmons, Erik (2024). Connecting families, schools, and communities: A systems‐contextual approach to sustainable futures for children. Sustainable Development, 32 (5), 1-13. doi: 10.1002/sd.2911

Connecting families, schools, and communities: A systems‐contextual approach to sustainable futures for children

2023

Conference Publication

Understanding caregiver's perspective in enhancing resilience of children in Pakistani orphanages

Khalid, Amina, Morawska, Alina and Turner, Karen (2023). Understanding caregiver's perspective in enhancing resilience of children in Pakistani orphanages. 32nd International Congress of Psychology, Prague, Czech Republic, 18 - 23 July 2021. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1002/ijop.12987

Understanding caregiver's perspective in enhancing resilience of children in Pakistani orphanages

2023

Journal Article

Jandu Yani U (for all families): evaluating Indigenous Triple P, a community-tailored parenting support program in remote Aboriginal communities

Andersson, Ellaina, McIlduff, Cari, Turner, Karen M. T., Carter, Emily, Hand, Marmingee, Thomas, Sue, Davies, Jadnah, Einfeld, Stewart and Elliott, Elizabeth J. (2023). Jandu Yani U (for all families): evaluating Indigenous Triple P, a community-tailored parenting support program in remote Aboriginal communities. Australian Psychologist, 59 (3), 245-259. doi: 10.1080/00050067.2023.2267159

Jandu Yani U (for all families): evaluating Indigenous Triple P, a community-tailored parenting support program in remote Aboriginal communities

2023

Conference Publication

A review of Australian government funding of parenting intervention research

Havighurst, S. S., Chainey, C., Doyle, F. L., Higgins, D. J., Mathews, B., Mazzucchelli, T. G., Zimmer-Gembeck, M., Andriessen, K., Cobham, V. E., Cross, D., Dadds, M. R., Dawe, S., Gray, K. M., Guastella, A. J., Harnett, P., Haslam, D. V., Middeldorp, C. M., Morawska, A., Ohan, J. L., Sanders, M. R., Stallman, H. M., Tonge, B. J., Toumbourou, J. W., Turner, K. M. T., Williams, K. E., Yap, M. B. H. and Nicholson, J. M. (2023). A review of Australian government funding of parenting intervention research. Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy 43rd National Conference, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 19 - 21 October 2023.

A review of Australian government funding of parenting intervention research

2023

Journal Article

Caregivers' perspectives on the impact of the Group Triple P‐Positive Parenting Program in Pakistani orphanages

Khalid, Amina, Morawska, Alina and Turner, Karen M. T. (2023). Caregivers' perspectives on the impact of the Group Triple P‐Positive Parenting Program in Pakistani orphanages. Child and Family Social Work, 29 (1), 78-89. doi: 10.1111/cfs.13052

Caregivers' perspectives on the impact of the Group Triple P‐Positive Parenting Program in Pakistani orphanages

2023

Conference Publication

Caregivers' perspectives on the impact of Group Triple P in Pakistani orphanages

Khalid, A., Morawska, A. and Turner, K. M. T. (2023). Caregivers' perspectives on the impact of Group Triple P in Pakistani orphanages. International Congress on Evidence-based Parenting Support, Australia, 6-8 June 2023.

Caregivers' perspectives on the impact of Group Triple P in Pakistani orphanages

2023

Conference Publication

Cultural adaptation and contextual fit of evidence-based parenting programs: a whole of community approach to family and child wellbeing

Ponnapalli, A., Cliff, L. A., Forster, M. and Turner, K. M. T. (2023). Cultural adaptation and contextual fit of evidence-based parenting programs: a whole of community approach to family and child wellbeing. I-CEPS: International Congress on Evidence-based Parenting Support, Online, 6 - 8 June 2023.

Cultural adaptation and contextual fit of evidence-based parenting programs: a whole of community approach to family and child wellbeing

2023

Conference Publication

The use of evidence-based parenting support programs in diverse caregiving contexts in low resourced countries

Khalid, Amina, Adina, Japeth, Ouma, Maureen and Turner, K. M. T. (2023). The use of evidence-based parenting support programs in diverse caregiving contexts in low resourced countries. International Congress on Evidence-based Parenting Support, Online, 6 - 8 June 2023.

The use of evidence-based parenting support programs in diverse caregiving contexts in low resourced countries

2023

Conference Publication

Exploring Indigenous parent wellbeing: implications for early intervention parenting programs in Indigenous communities

Ponnapalli, Arvind, Fisher, Tarita and Turner, Karen M. T. (2023). Exploring Indigenous parent wellbeing: implications for early intervention parenting programs in Indigenous communities. I-CEPS: International Congress on Evidence-based Parenting Support, Online, 6 - 8 June 2023.

Exploring Indigenous parent wellbeing: implications for early intervention parenting programs in Indigenous communities

2023

Journal Article

Exploring Indigenous community conceptions of parent wellbeing: a qualitative analysis

Ponnapalli, Arvind, Fisher, Tarita and Turner, Karen M. T. (2023). Exploring Indigenous community conceptions of parent wellbeing: a qualitative analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20 (4) 3585, 1-21. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20043585

Exploring Indigenous community conceptions of parent wellbeing: a qualitative analysis

Funding

Current funding

  • 2022 - 2026
    Proposal for Undertaking Evaluation Activities Australian Parenting Education and Support Program Grant
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2025
    A collaborative partnership approach to providing parenting support in remote indigenous communities
    Australian Catholic University
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2024
    Deadly start: enabling preschoolers' literacy, numeracy and wellbeing (ARC Discovery Project administered by the Australian Catholic University)
    Australian Catholic University
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Positive Parenting Collaborative Project
    Queensland Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Life Skills Triple P Feasibility Trial
    Sydney Local Health District
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2019
    Evaluating an Online Parenting Support System Disseminated by Paediatric Practices (NIH grant administered by the Oregon Research Institute)
    Oregon Research Institute
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Developing and beta testing the Positive Parenting Program in a social-network community in Los Angeles County (Administered by California State University, Northridge)
    California State University, Northridge
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2017
    Enhancing the public health approach to evidence-based parenting support: Efficacy of a low intensity online intervention
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Exploring Optimal Training Processes for Indigenous Child Protection Sector Professionals
    Queensland Department of the Premier and Cabinet
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Assessing the effectiveness, acceptability and sustainability of a culturally adapted evidence-based intervention for Indigenous parents
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2013
    Effects of a technology enhanced parenting intervention for young children with early onset conduct problems
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2006
    Group Triple P - Positive Parenting Program for Indigenous Families in Community and Health Settings in Far North Queensland: A Pilot. [NHMRC Mental Health Services Evaluation Research Grant]
    NHMRC - Strategic Funds
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Associate Professor Karen Turner is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Women¿s Empowerment and Entrepreneurship in Papua New Guinea

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Paul Lant, Associate Professor Vigya Sharma

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Women's Empowerment and Entrepreneurship in Papua New Guinea

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Paul Lant, Associate Professor Vigya Sharma

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Indigenous parent wellbeing: Implications for early intervention parenting support in Indigenous communities

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Women's Empowerment and Entrepreneurship in Papua New Guinea

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Paul Lant, Associate Professor Vigya Sharma

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Parents as partners in children's education: Evaluating the role of parental-self-regulation in effective home-school partnership

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Cassandra Tellegen

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Evaluating low intensity school based program to promote parent-teracher communication and collaboration

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Cassandra Tellegen

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Evaluating low intensity school based program to promote parent-teracher communication and collaboration

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Cassandra Tellegen

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Karen Turner directly for media enquiries about:

  • Child behaviour
  • Parenting
  • Parenting programs
  • Triple P

Need help?

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

communications@uq.edu.au