Professor Barbara Masser
Professor

Barbara Masser

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Phone: 
+61 7 336 56373

Background

Barbara’s research uses social psychological theory to solve real social problems. Over 19 years she has collaborated with a range of industry partners (e.g., Australian Red Cross Lifeblood; state police agencies) to design and evaluate theory-based solutions to problems as diverse as how to minimise bias in investigating allegations of sexual assault to how to maximise blood donor appointment attendance. She has over 100 peer reviewed publications including many focused on gender, prejudice, discrimination, and SoHO donor recruitment and retention that have been published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Psychology of Women Quarterly, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Law & Human Behavior, Transfusion, Transfusion Medicine Reviews and and other journals.

Availability

Professor Barbara Masser is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Clinical sciences Psychology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Arts, University of Kent
  • Masters (Coursework) of Science, University of Kent
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Kent

Research interests

  • Donor recruitment, retention, and health

    We have a wide array of research taking places in donors of substances of human origin (SoHO - see https://research.psy.uq.edu.au/dorn/research/). if you are interested in why donors do what they do, how we can promote retention and how we can ensure our donors remain happy and healthy, then please get in contact so we can discuss your PhD options.

  • Perceptions and treatment of victims of sexual assault and intimate partner violence

    Sexual assault and intimate partner violence remain some of the most under-reported and under-prosecuted crimes. We have explored the role of schemas and stereotypes in influencing identification of these forms of violence and in decision-making about these crimes. If you are interested in stereotypes and schemas and are interested in how we can improve outcomes for victims and survivors of these crimes, then please get in touch so we can discuss PhD options.

Research impacts

Barbara is the current Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Joint Chair in Donor Research. In this role she works closely with the Donor Research team in Research & Development at Lifeblood to design and execute research that results in change to business-as-usual practice.

Search Professor Barbara Masser’s works on UQ eSpace

206 works between 1996 and 2025
All (206) Journal Article (155) Book Chapter (7) Conference Publication (29) Book (2) Other Outputs (13)

21 - 40 of 206 works

2024

Journal Article

Recoding the gift relationship: views on introducing genomic testing to blood donation

Thorpe, Rachel, Raivola, Vera and Masser, Barbara (2024). Recoding the gift relationship: views on introducing genomic testing to blood donation. New Genetics and Society, 43 (1) e2317709. doi: 10.1080/14636778.2024.2317709

Recoding the gift relationship: views on introducing genomic testing to blood donation

2024

Journal Article

Researchers’ views on and practices of knowledge translation: an international survey of transfusion medicine researchers

Thijsen, Amanda, Masser, Barbara, Davison, Tanya Ellen and Williamson, Anna (2024). Researchers’ views on and practices of knowledge translation: an international survey of transfusion medicine researchers. Implementation Science Communications, 5 (1) 9, 1-10. doi: 10.1186/s43058-024-00546-3

Researchers’ views on and practices of knowledge translation: an international survey of transfusion medicine researchers

2024

Conference Publication

Comfort in answering questions about higher risk sexual behaviours in a gender-neutral risk assessment for blood donation among diverse populations

Mowat, Y., Hoad, V., Haire, B., Masser, B., Kaldor, J., Heywood, A., Thorpe, R., McManus, H. and McGregor, S. (2024). Comfort in answering questions about higher risk sexual behaviours in a gender-neutral risk assessment for blood donation among diverse populations. 25th IUSTI World Congress incorporating the Australasian Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference, Sydney, NSW Australia, 17-20 September 2024. Clayton, VIC Australia: CSIRO.

Comfort in answering questions about higher risk sexual behaviours in a gender-neutral risk assessment for blood donation among diverse populations

2024

Journal Article

Blood, sweat, and fears: athletes' perceptions of blood donation and engagement in physical activity

Masser, Barbara, Webster, Hugo, Thorpe, Rachel and Jensen, Kyle (2024). Blood, sweat, and fears: athletes' perceptions of blood donation and engagement in physical activity. Transfusion, 64 (1), 24-28. doi: 10.1111/trf.17607

Blood, sweat, and fears: athletes' perceptions of blood donation and engagement in physical activity

2023

Journal Article

Warming up cool cooperators

Ferguson, Eamonn, Lawrence, Claire, Bowen, Sarah, Gemelli, Carley N., Rozsa, Amy, Niekrasz, Konrad, van Dongen, Anne, Williams, Lisa A., Thijsen, Amanda, Guerin, Nicola, Masser, Barbara and Davison, Tanya E. (2023). Warming up cool cooperators. Nature Human Behaviour, 7 (11), 1917-1932. doi: 10.1038/s41562-023-01687-6

Warming up cool cooperators

2023

Journal Article

A randomized controlled trial of post‐donation communication materials to increase donor return following a vasovagal reaction

Thijsen, Amanda, Gemelli, Carley N., Davison, Tanya E. and Masser, Barbara (2023). A randomized controlled trial of post‐donation communication materials to increase donor return following a vasovagal reaction. Transfusion, 63 (9), 1701-1709. doi: 10.1111/trf.17494

A randomized controlled trial of post‐donation communication materials to increase donor return following a vasovagal reaction

2023

Journal Article

"Why don't you want my poop?" Willing stool donor's experiences of being ineligible to donate intestinal microbiota

Hyde, Melissa K., Masser, Barbara M. and Spears, Lianne (2023). "Why don't you want my poop?" Willing stool donor's experiences of being ineligible to donate intestinal microbiota. Transfusion, 63 (10), 1916-1925. doi: 10.1111/trf.17516

"Why don't you want my poop?" Willing stool donor's experiences of being ineligible to donate intestinal microbiota

2023

Journal Article

Experiences of knowledge translation among researchers in transfusion medicine: findings from an international survey study

Thijsen, Amanda, Williamson, Anna, Davison, Tanya E. and Masser, Barbara (2023). Experiences of knowledge translation among researchers in transfusion medicine: findings from an international survey study. Transfusion, 63 (8), 1463-1471. doi: 10.1111/trf.17466

Experiences of knowledge translation among researchers in transfusion medicine: findings from an international survey study

2023

Journal Article

Prevalence of blood donation eligibility in Australia: a population survey

Mowat, Yasmin, Hoad, Veronica, Haire, Bridget, Masser, Barbara, Kaldor, John, Heywood, Anita, Thorpe, Rachel, McManus, Hamish and McGregor, Skye (2023). Prevalence of blood donation eligibility in Australia: a population survey. Transfusion, 63 (8), 1519-1527. doi: 10.1111/trf.17474

Prevalence of blood donation eligibility in Australia: a population survey

2023

Journal Article

Psychological ownership and identity motives in blood donation

Edwards, Abigail R.‐A., Masser, Barbara M. and Barlow, Fiona K. (2023). Psychological ownership and identity motives in blood donation. Vox Sanguinis, 118 (8), 616-623. doi: 10.1111/vox.13479

Psychological ownership and identity motives in blood donation

2023

Journal Article

The health impacts of blood donation: a systematic review of donor and non-donor perceptions

Thorpe, Rachel, Masser, Barbara, Coundouris, Sarah, Hyde, Melissa, Kruse, Sarah P. and Davison, Tanya E. (2023). The health impacts of blood donation: a systematic review of donor and non-donor perceptions. Blood Transfusion, 22 (1), 7-19. doi: 10.2450/BloodTransfus.494

The health impacts of blood donation: a systematic review of donor and non-donor perceptions

2023

Book Chapter

The champion effect in peer-to-peer fundraising

Chapman, Cassandra M., Masser, Barbara M. and Louis, Winnifred R. (2023). The champion effect in peer-to-peer fundraising. The Fundraising Reader. (pp. 263-266) London, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003145936-56

The champion effect in peer-to-peer fundraising

2023

Book Chapter

Neglected fundraisers in the charitable triad

Chapman, Cassandra M., Louis, Winnifred R., Masser, Barbara M. and Thomas, Emma F. (2023). Neglected fundraisers in the charitable triad. The Fundraising Reader. (pp. 463-470) London, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003145936-100

Neglected fundraisers in the charitable triad

2023

Journal Article

We usually give like this: social norms describe typical charitable causes supported by group members

Chapman, Cassandra M., Dixon, Lucas, Wallin, Ann, Young, Tarli, Masser, Barbara M. and Louis, Winnifred R. (2023). We usually give like this: social norms describe typical charitable causes supported by group members. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 53 (1), 089976402311604-53. doi: 10.1177/08997640231160467

We usually give like this: social norms describe typical charitable causes supported by group members

2023

Journal Article

Evaluating an online module for sexual violence prevention in a tertiary educational setting: An exploratory study

Heard, Emma, Evans, Cezara, Buckley, Lisa, Hatchman, Kate and Masser, Barbara (2023). Evaluating an online module for sexual violence prevention in a tertiary educational setting: An exploratory study. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 35 (1), 79-89. doi: 10.1002/hpja.714

Evaluating an online module for sexual violence prevention in a tertiary educational setting: An exploratory study

2023

Journal Article

Understanding mothers' experiences of being ineligible to donate their milk to a not-for-profit milk bank

Hyde, Melissa K., Thorpe, Rachel, Masser, Barbara M., Kruse, Sarah P., Amir, Lisa H., Brown, Richard, Clifford, Vanessa and Klein, Laura D. (2023). Understanding mothers' experiences of being ineligible to donate their milk to a not-for-profit milk bank. Breastfeeding Medicine, 18 (2), 149-154. doi: 10.1089/bfm.2022.0207

Understanding mothers' experiences of being ineligible to donate their milk to a not-for-profit milk bank

2023

Journal Article

Donor and non‐donor perspectives on receiving information from routine genomic testing of donor blood

Thorpe, Rachel, Jensen, Kyle, Masser, Barbara, Raivola, Vera, Kakkos, Athina, von Wielligh, Kobie and Wong, Jonathan (2023). Donor and non‐donor perspectives on receiving information from routine genomic testing of donor blood. Transfusion, 63 (2), 331-338. doi: 10.1111/trf.17215

Donor and non‐donor perspectives on receiving information from routine genomic testing of donor blood

2023

Journal Article

Beyond fear: a longitudinal investigation of emotions and risk of a vasovagal reaction in first‐time whole‐blood donors

Thijsen, Amanda, Masser, Barbara, Davison, Tanya E., van Dongen, Anne and Williams, Lisa A. (2023). Beyond fear: a longitudinal investigation of emotions and risk of a vasovagal reaction in first‐time whole‐blood donors. Transfusion, 63 (1), 163-170. doi: 10.1111/trf.17169

Beyond fear: a longitudinal investigation of emotions and risk of a vasovagal reaction in first‐time whole‐blood donors

2023

Journal Article

An identity-based model explaining online donor appreciation

Chell, Kathleen, Mortimer, Gary, Masser, Barbara M. and Russell-Bennett, Rebekah (2023). An identity-based model explaining online donor appreciation. Australasian Marketing Journal, 31 (1), 13-24. doi: 10.1177/18393349211027670

An identity-based model explaining online donor appreciation

2022

Journal Article

‘Stay at home and limit contact’: the impact of stay‐at‐home advice on the behavior of Australian donors aged 70 and over in the first year of the pandemic

Naing, Sanda, Thorpe, Rachel, Jensen, Kyle, Masser, Barbara and Guerin, Nicky (2022). ‘Stay at home and limit contact’: the impact of stay‐at‐home advice on the behavior of Australian donors aged 70 and over in the first year of the pandemic. Transfusion, 62 (12), 2568-2576. doi: 10.1111/trf.17120

‘Stay at home and limit contact’: the impact of stay‐at‐home advice on the behavior of Australian donors aged 70 and over in the first year of the pandemic

Current funding

  • 2025
    Investigating the Role of Partners as Social Support for Human Milk Donors
    South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute Limited
    Open grant
  • 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 - 2028
    Collaborative Research and Research Chair Agreement
    Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2026
    Engaging the over 50s to ensure the sustainability of our blood supply
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    Optimising human milk nutrition to improve the long-term health of preterm infants (NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence led by The University of Adelaide)
    University of Adelaide
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    Infectious pathogens and associated risk factors in blood donors: protecting the blood supply while providing a window into the wider community (NHMRC Partnership Projects Grant led by UNSW)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    ARC Training Centre for Behavioural Insights for Technology Adoption (BITA) (ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre Administered by QUT)
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Donor Health and Behaviour
    National Institute for Health Research UK
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Engaging ethnic minority and majority blood donors in donor recruitment
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2018 - 2023
    Protecting the blood supply against infectious disease by strengthening the evidence base that guides donor selection and screening policy (NHMRC Partnership Project administered by UNSW )
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2024
    Australian Red Cross Blood Service Chair in Donor Behaviour
    Australian Red Cross Blood Service
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    The emotional psychology of blood donors: understanding and using the affective key to donor return (ARC Linkage Project administered by the University of New South Wales)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Overcoming the Impact of Situationally Induced Anxiety
    Australian Red Cross Blood Service
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Rape victims on trial: Understanding police officers' and jurors' beliefs about sexual assault, victims, and perpetrators.
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2015
    The initiation and maintenance of plasma and platelet donation in Australia: An analysis of the role of donor identity and commitment
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Managing vasovagal reactions among young first-time blood donors
    Australian Red Cross Blood Service
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Understanding and diminishing the impact of stereotypes about female victims of sexual assault
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Understand the reactions of blood donors and recipients to an avian influenza pandemic
    Australian Red Cross Blood Service
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2007
    Recruiting and retaining Australian blood donors: A social-psychological analysis of the role of attitudes, identity, and norms
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004
    Predictors of new donor return rates to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service
    Australian Red Cross Blood Service
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    Recruiting and Retaining Blood Donors: A Social-Psychological Analysis
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Understanding reactions to diversity initiatives in organizations: An intergroup perspective.
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    Detecting and eliminating 'backlash': A social identity perspective.
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2003
    Sustainable natural resource management in rural communities: a social-psychological analysis of relationships among attitudes, norms and practices
    ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
    Open grant
  • 2001
    When will the stereotypes of the prejudiced rebound and be expressed?
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Barbara Masser is:
Available for supervision

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

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Barbara Masser directly for media enquiries about:

  • Blood donor recruitment
  • Blood donors - psychology
  • Discrimination - psychology
  • Discrimination and psychology
  • Gender - social psychology
  • Gender equity
  • Homophobia
  • Prejudice and psychology
  • Psychology of blood donation
  • Sexism
  • Sexual harassment
  • Social psychology
  • Women and work

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