Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
Associate Professor Karen Turner
Associate Professor

Karen Turner

Email: 
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

41 - 60 of 153 works

2020

Book

Positive Early Childhood Education Program coach's manual

Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T., Rusby, Julie C. and Dittman, Cassandra (2020). Positive Early Childhood Education Program coach's manual. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Triple P International.

Positive Early Childhood Education Program coach's manual

2020

Conference Publication

Helping families change communities: an exploration of family aspirations and barriers to achieving them in impoverished environments

Singh, S., Turner, K. M. T. and Ashworth, P. (2020). Helping families change communities: an exploration of family aspirations and barriers to achieving them in impoverished environments. 20th Helping Families Change Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 5-7 February 2020.

Helping families change communities: an exploration of family aspirations and barriers to achieving them in impoverished environments

2020

Conference Publication

Exploring women’s entrepreneurial capacity in Papua New Guinea: a qualitative study

Penman, N., Turner, K. M. T., Sharma, V., Lant, P., Nelson, G. and Doble, S. (2020). Exploring women’s entrepreneurial capacity in Papua New Guinea: a qualitative study. 20th Helping Families Change Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 5-7 February 2020.

Exploring women’s entrepreneurial capacity in Papua New Guinea: a qualitative study

2019

Journal Article

Jandu Yani U 'For All Families' Triple P - positive parenting program in remote Australian Aboriginal communities: a study protocol for a community intervention trial

Andersson, Ellaina, McIlduff, Cari, Turner, Karen, Thomas, Sue, Davies, Jadnah, Elliott, Elizabeth J. and Einfeld, Stewart (2019). Jandu Yani U 'For All Families' Triple P - positive parenting program in remote Australian Aboriginal communities: a study protocol for a community intervention trial. BMJ Open, 9 (10) e032559, e032559. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032559

Jandu Yani U 'For All Families' Triple P - positive parenting program in remote Australian Aboriginal communities: a study protocol for a community intervention trial

2019

Journal Article

Comparing apples and pears: misleading conclusions about the population mental health impact of a parenting programme, a commentary on Marryat, Thompson and Wilson (2017)

Sanders, Matthew R., De Caestecker, Linda, McLeod, Stephen, Day, Jamin J., Turner, Karen M. T., Morawska, Alina and Kirby, James (2019). Comparing apples and pears: misleading conclusions about the population mental health impact of a parenting programme, a commentary on Marryat, Thompson and Wilson (2017). BMC Pediatrics, 19 (1) 269, 269. doi: 10.1186/s12887-019-1570-z

Comparing apples and pears: misleading conclusions about the population mental health impact of a parenting programme, a commentary on Marryat, Thompson and Wilson (2017)

2019

Journal Article

Applying self-regulation principles in the delivery of parenting interventions

Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T. and Metzler, Carol W. (2019). Applying self-regulation principles in the delivery of parenting interventions. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 22 (1), 24-42. doi: 10.1007/s10567-019-00287-z

Applying self-regulation principles in the delivery of parenting interventions

2019

Other Outputs

Positive Early Childhood Education program

Turner, Karen M. T., Sanders, Matthew R., Dittman, Cassandra and Rusby, Julie R. (2019). Positive Early Childhood Education program. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International.

Positive Early Childhood Education program

2019

Conference Publication

Exploring familial agency to mitigate negative impacts of environmental impoverishment for children and families

Singh, S., Turner, K. M. T. and Ashworth, P. (2019). Exploring familial agency to mitigate negative impacts of environmental impoverishment for children and families. 40th National Conference of the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 24-26 October 2019.

Exploring familial agency to mitigate negative impacts of environmental impoverishment for children and families

2019

Book

Positive Early Childhood Education Program Coach’s Manual

Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T., Rusby, J. R. and Dittman, C. (2019). Positive Early Childhood Education Program Coach’s Manual. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International.

Positive Early Childhood Education Program Coach’s Manual

2019

Book Chapter

The Triple P System: parenting support for every family

Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2019). The Triple P System: parenting support for every family. APA handbook of contemporary family psychology: Family therapy and training. (pp. 409-424) edited by Barbara H. Fiese, Marianne Celano, Kirby Deater-Deckard, Ernest N. Jouriles and Mark A. Whisman. Washington, DC United States: American Psychological Association. doi: 10.1037/0000101-025

The Triple P System: parenting support for every family

2019

Other Outputs

Positive Early Childhood Education Program [4-module interactive online program]

Turner, Karen M. T., Sanders, Matthew R., Dittman, Cassandra K. and Rusby, Julie R. (2019). Positive Early Childhood Education Program [4-module interactive online program]. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International.

Positive Early Childhood Education Program [4-module interactive online program]

2019

Conference Publication

Jandu Yani U (For All Families): Tailoring evidence-based parenting support in the Fitzroy Valley

McIlduff, C., Turner, K. M. T. and the Jandu Yani U team (2019). Jandu Yani U (For All Families): Tailoring evidence-based parenting support in the Fitzroy Valley. Neurodevelopmental and Behavioural Paediatric Society of Australasia Conference, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 22-24 August 2019.

Jandu Yani U (For All Families): Tailoring evidence-based parenting support in the Fitzroy Valley

2018

Conference Publication

Engaging community to promote positive change for families affected by FASD in the Fitzroy Valley

McIlduff, C. D., Cox, E., The Jandu Yani U team and Turner, K. M. T. (2018). Engaging community to promote positive change for families affected by FASD in the Fitzroy Valley. 2nd Australasian FASD Conference, Perth, WA Australia, 21-22 November 2018.

Engaging community to promote positive change for families affected by FASD in the Fitzroy Valley

2018

Conference Publication

Community empowerment through community capacity building

McIlduff, C. D., Forster, M., Turner, K. M. T., Brown Wilson, C. and Sanders, M. R. (2018). Community empowerment through community capacity building. 19th Helping Families Change Conference, Santa Rosa, CA United States, 28 February - 2 March 2018.

Community empowerment through community capacity building

2018

Conference Publication

Insights on parenting practices in India from the Indian National Parenting Survey

Singhal, M., Turner, K. M. T., Sanders, M. R. and Singh, A. (2018). Insights on parenting practices in India from the Indian National Parenting Survey. 19th Helping Families Change Conference, Santa Rosa, CA United States, 28 February - 2 March 2018.

Insights on parenting practices in India from the Indian National Parenting Survey

2018

Conference Publication

The development of the Positive Early Childhood Education Program (PECE)

Turner, K. M. T., Dittman, C., Sanders, M. R. and Rusby, J.C. (2018). The development of the Positive Early Childhood Education Program (PECE). 19th Helping Families Change Conference, Santa Rosa, CA United States, 28 February - 2 March 2018.

The development of the Positive Early Childhood Education Program (PECE)

2018

Conference Publication

Predictors of completion and positive outcomes in Triple P Online programs

Day, J. J., Baker, S., Dittman, C., Turner, K. M. T., Sanders, M. R., Love, S. and Franke, N. (2018). Predictors of completion and positive outcomes in Triple P Online programs. 19th Helping Families Change Conference, Santa Rosa, CA United States, 28 February - 2 March 2018.

Predictors of completion and positive outcomes in Triple P Online programs

2018

Conference Publication

A feasibility study of brief parenting support for Indian corporate employees

Singhal, M. and Turner, K. M. T. (2018). A feasibility study of brief parenting support for Indian corporate employees. 19th Helping Families Change Conference, Santa Rosa, CA United States, 28 February - 2 March 2018.

A feasibility study of brief parenting support for Indian corporate employees

2018

Conference Publication

Engaging communities collaboratively towards positive change: Jandu Yani U (For All Families)

McIlduff, C. D., Turner, K. M. T. and the Jandu Yani U team (2018). Engaging communities collaboratively towards positive change: Jandu Yani U (For All Families). 19th Helping Families Change Conference, Santa Rosa, CA United States, 28 February - 2 March 2018.

Engaging communities collaboratively towards positive change: Jandu Yani U (For All Families)

2018

Book Chapter

A collaborative partnership adaptation model

Turner, Karen M. T., Sanders, Matthew R., Keown, Louise J. and Shepherd, Matthew (2018). A collaborative partnership adaptation model. The power of positive parenting: transforming the lives of children, parents, and communities using the Triple P system. (pp. 310-320) edited by Matthew R. Sanders and Trevor G. Mazzuchelli. New York, United States: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/med-psych/9780190629069.003.0028

A collaborative partnership adaptation model

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

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

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

    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

  • 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

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