Overview
Background
Associate Professor Fiona Charlson holds dual appointments as an Associate Professor at the University of Queensland’s Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR) and as a Principal Research Fellow at the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR). She is internationally recognised for her expertise in mental health, with a particular focus on the impacts of climate change on vulnerable and conflict-affected populations. Her research explores the psychological effects of environmental change, including climate anxiety and resilience, especially in regions such as the Pacific Islands. She leads several major initiatives, including the Connecting Climate Minds project (funded by the Wellcome Trust) and an ARC Discovery Project examining how families respond to climate anxiety. A/Prof Charlson is a trusted advisor to Australian and international stakeholders, including the World Health Organization, United Nations Development Program, US National Institutes of Health, and numerous government and non-government organizations. Her work spans systems modelling, epidemiology, and policy analysis, and aims to support policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities with the knowledge and tools they need to adapt to the changing climate and support the mental health and well-being of individuals and communities.
In addition to her research, she is a dedicated educator and mentor, coordinating postgraduate courses and supervising PhD students in global mental health and public health. Her work is driven by a commitment to equity, collaboration, and innovation, bridging the fields of mental health and planetary health.
Availability
- Dr Fiona Charlson is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Research interests
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Mental Health and Climate Change
Associate Professor Fiona Charlson’s research applies interdisciplinary and systems-based approaches to examine the mental health impacts of climate change. Her work integrates a range of methods, including psychiatric epidemiology, system dynamics modelling, and policy analysis, to investigate climate-related psychological phenomena such as anxiety, ecological grief, and resilience. She leads several funded projects aimed at generating actionable evidence for global mental health policy and service reform within planetary health frameworks.
Works
Search Professor Fiona Charlson’s works on UQ eSpace
2019
Journal Article
Erratum: Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 84 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 (The Lancet (2018) 392(10159) (1923–1994), (S0140673618322256), (10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32225-6))
Stanaway, Jeffrey D., Afshin, Ashkan, Gakidou, Emmanuela, Lim, Stephen S., Abate, Degu, Abate, Kalkidan Hassen, Abbafati, Cristiana, Abbasi, Nooshin, Abbastabar, Hedayat, Abd-Allah, Foad, Abdela, Jemal, Abdelalim, Ahmed, Abdollahpour, Ibrahim, Abdulkader, Rizwan Suliankatchi, Abebe, Molla, Abebe, Zegeye, Abera, Semaw F., Abil, Olifan Zewdie, Abraha, Haftom Niguse, Abrham, Aklilu Roba, Abu-Raddad, Laith Jamal, Abu-Rmeileh, Niveen M.E., Accrombessi, Manfred Mario Kokou, Acharya, Dilaram, Acharya, Pawan, Adamu, Abdu A., Adane, Akilew Awoke, Adebayo, Oladimeji M., Adedoyin, Rufus Adesoji ... Murray, Christopher J.L. (2019). Erratum: Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 84 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 (The Lancet (2018) 392(10159) (1923–1994), (S0140673618322256), (10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32225-6)). The Lancet, 393 (10190). doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31429-1
2019
Journal Article
Implementation of the mental health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) within the Fijian Healthcare System: a mixed-methods evaluation
Charlson, Fiona, Chang, Odille, Kubuabola, Ilisapeci, Schess, Jaclyn, Latu, Catherine, Hunter, Ernest, Tukana, Isimeli, Qaloewai, Sefanaia and Shidhaye, Rahul (2019). Implementation of the mental health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) within the Fijian Healthcare System: a mixed-methods evaluation. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 13 (1) 43, 43. doi: 10.1186/s13033-019-0301-z
2019
Journal Article
Diseases, injuries, and risk factors in child and adolescent health, 1990 to 2017: Findings from the global burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors 2017 study
Reiner, Robert C., Olsen, Helen Elizabeth, Ikeda, Chad Thomas, Echko, Michelle M., Ballestreros, Katherine E., Manguerra, Helen, Martopullo, Ira, Millear, Anoushka, Shields, Chloe, Smith, Alison, Strub, Bryan, Abebe, Molla, Abebe, Zegeye, Adhena, Beyene Meressa, Adhikari, Tara Ballav, Akibu, Mohammed, Al-Raddadi, Rajaa M., Alvis-Guzman, Nelson, Antonio, Carl Abelardo T., Aremu, Olatunde, Asgedom, Solomon Weldegebreal, Asseffa, Netsanet Abera, Avila-Burgos, Leticia, Barac, Aleksandra, Bärnighausen, Till W., Bassat, Quique, Bensenor, Isabela M., Bhutta, Zulfiqar A., Bijani, Ali ... Kassebaum, Nicholas J. (2019). Diseases, injuries, and risk factors in child and adolescent health, 1990 to 2017: Findings from the global burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors 2017 study. JAMA Pediatrics, 173 (6) e190337, e190337. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.0337
2019
Journal Article
The epidemiology of psychosis in Indigenous populations in Cape York and the Torres Strait
Gynther, Bruce, Charlson, Fiona, Obrecht, Karin, Waller, Michael, Santomauro, Damian, Whiteford, Harvey and Hunter, Ernest (2019). The epidemiology of psychosis in Indigenous populations in Cape York and the Torres Strait. EClinicalMedicine, 10, 68-77. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2019.04.009
2019
Journal Article
GBD 2016 Alcohol and Drug Use Collaborators (vol 5, pg 987, 2018)
Degenhardt, Louisa, Charlson, Fiona, Ferrari, Alize, Santomauro, Damian, Erskine, Holly, Mantilla-Herrara, Ana, Whiteford, Harvey, Leung, Janni, Naghavi, Mohsen, Griswold, Max, Rehm, Juegen, Hall, Wayne, Sartorius, Benn, Scott, James, Vollset, Stein Emil, Knudsen, Ann Kristin, Maria Haro, Josep, Patton, George, Kopec, Jacek, Malta, Deborah Carvalho, Topor-Madry, Roman, McGrath, John, Haagsma, Juanita, Allebeck, Peter, Phillips, Michael, Salomon, Joshua, Hay, Simon, Foreman, Kyle, Lim, Stephen ... Vos, Theo (2019). GBD 2016 Alcohol and Drug Use Collaborators (vol 5, pg 987, 2018). Lancet Psychiatry, 6 (1), E2-E2. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30488-7
2018
Other Outputs
Self-reported health of Australian Defence Force personnel after use of anti-malarial drugs on deployment
Waller, M., Runge, C. E., Charlson, F. J. and Whiteford, H. A. (2018). Self-reported health of Australian Defence Force personnel after use of anti-malarial drugs on deployment. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland, School of Public Health.
2018
Journal Article
Erratum: Department of Error
GBD 2017 Causes of Death Collaborators, Maravilla, Joemer, Aminde, Leopold N., Charlson, Fiona J., Erskine, Holly E., Ferrari, Alize J., Lalloo, Ratilal, McGrath, John J., Santomauro, Damian Francesco, Scott, James G. and Whiteford, Harvey A. (2018). Erratum: Department of Error. Lancet (London, England), 392 (10160). doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)32833-2
2018
Journal Article
Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 84 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017
Stanaway, Jeffrey D., Afshin, Ashkan, Gakidou, Emmanuela, Lim, Stephen S., Abate, Degu, Abate, Kalkidan Hassen, Abbafati, Cristiana, Abbasi, Nooshin, Abbastabar, Hedayat, Abd-Allah, Foad, Abdela, Jemal, Abdelalim, Ahmed, Abdollahpour, Ibrahim, Abdulkader, Rizwan Suliankatchi, Abebe, Molla, Abebe, Zegeye, Abera, Semaw F, Abil, Olifan Zewdie, Abraha, Haftom Niguse, Abrham, Aklilu Roba, Abu-Raddad, Laith Jamal, Abu-Rmeileh, Niveen M. E., Accrombessi, Manfred Mario Kokou, Acharya, Dilaram, Acharya, Pawan, Adamu, Abdu A., Adane, Akilew Awoke, Adebayo, Oladimeji M., Adedoyin, Rufus Adesoji ... Murray, Christopher J. L. (2018). Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 84 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet, 392 (10159), 1923-1994. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)32225-6
2018
Journal Article
Global, regional, and national age-sex-specific mortality for 282 causes of death in 195 countries and territories, 1980–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017
Roth, Gregory A., Abate, Degu, Abate, Kalkidan Hassen, Abay, Solomon M., Abbafati, Cristiana, Abbasi, Nooshin, Abbastabar, Hedayat, Abd-Allah, Foad, Abdela, Jemal, Abdelalim, Ahmed, Abdollahpour, Ibrahim, Abdulkader, Rizwan Suliankatchi, Abebe, Haftom Temesgen, Abebe, Molla, Abebe, Zegeye, Abejie, Ayenew Negesse, Abera, Semaw F., Abil, Olifan Zewdie, Abraha, Haftom Niguse, Abrham, Aklilu Roba, Abu-Raddad, Laith Jamal, Accrombessi, Manfred Mario Kokou, Acharya, Dilaram, Adamu, Abdu A., Adebayo, Oladimeji M., Adedoyin, Rufus Adesoji, Adekanmbi, Victor, Adetokunboh, Olatunji O., Adhena, Beyene Meressa ... Murray, Christopher J. L. (2018). Global, regional, and national age-sex-specific mortality for 282 causes of death in 195 countries and territories, 1980–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet, 392 (10159), 1736-1788. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)32203-7
2018
Journal Article
Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 354 diseases and injuries for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017
James, Spencer L, Abate, Degu, Abate, Kalkidan Hassen, Abay, Solomon M, Abbafati, Cristiana, Abbasi, Nooshin, Abbastabar, Hedayat, Abd-Allah, Foad, Abdela, Jemal, Abdelalim, Ahmed, Abdollahpour, Ibrahim, Abdulkader, Rizwan Suliankatchi, Abebe, Zegeye, Abera, Semaw F, Abil, Olifan Zewdie, Abraha, Haftom Niguse, Abu-Raddad, Laith Jamal, Abu-Rmeileh, Niveen M E, Accrombessi, Manfred Mario Kokou, Acharya, Dilaram, Acharya, Pawan, Ackerman, Ilana N, Adamu, Abdu A, Adebayo, Oladimeji M, Adekanmbi, Victor, Adetokunboh, Olatunji O, Adib, Mina G, Adsuar, Jose C, Afanvi, Kossivi Agbelenko ... Murray, Christopher J L (2018). Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 354 diseases and injuries for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet, 392 (10159), 1789-1858. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)32279-7
2018
Journal Article
Global, regional, and national disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for 359 diseases and injuries and healthy life expectancy (HALE) for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017
Kyu, Hmwe Hmwe, Abate, Degu, Abate, Kalkidan Hassen, Abay, Solomon M, Abbafati, Cristiana, Abbasi, Nooshin, Abbastabar, Hedayat, Abd-Allah, Foad, Abdela, Jemal, Abdelalim, Ahmed, Abdollahpour, Ibrahim, Abdulkader, Rizwan Suliankatchi, Abebe, Molla, Abebe, Zegeye, Abil, Olifan Zewdie, Aboyans, Victor, Abrham, Aklilu Roba, Abu-Raddad, Laith Jamal, Abu-Rmeileh, Niveen M E, Accrombessi, Manfred Mario Kokou, Acharya, Dilaram, Acharya, Pawan, Ackerman, Ilana N, Adamu, Abdu A, Adebayo, Oladimeji M, Adekanmbi, Victor, Ademi, Zanfina, Adetokunboh, Olatunji O, Adib, Mina G ... GBD 2017 DALYs and HALE Collaborators (2018). Global, regional, and national disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for 359 diseases and injuries and healthy life expectancy (HALE) for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet, 392 (10159), 1859-1922. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)32335-3
2018
Journal Article
The global burden of disease attributable to alcohol and drug use in 195 countries and territories, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016
GBD 2016 Alcohol and Drug Use Collaborators, Scott, James Graham, Ferrari, Alize, Charlson, Fiona, Santomauro, D., Erskine, Holly, Mantilla Herrera, Ana Maria, Whiteford, Harvey, Hall, Wayne, McGrath, John, Leung, Janni and Sartorius, Benn (2018). The global burden of disease attributable to alcohol and drug use in 195 countries and territories, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5 (12), 987-1012. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30337-7
2018
Journal Article
Global epidemiology and burden of schizophrenia: findings from the global burden of disease study 2016
Charlson, Fiona J., Ferrari, Alize J., Santomauro, Damian F., Diminic, Sandra, Stockings, Emily, Scott, James G., McGrath, John J. and Whiteford, Harvey A. (2018). Global epidemiology and burden of schizophrenia: findings from the global burden of disease study 2016. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 44 (6), 1195-1203. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sby058
2018
Journal Article
Alcohol use and burden for 195 countries and territories, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016
Griswold, Max G., Fullman, Nancy, Hawley, Caitlin, Arian, Nicholas, Zimsen, Stephanie R. M., Tymeson, Hayley D., Venkateswaran, Vidhya, Tapp, Austin Douglas, Forouzanfar, Mohammad H., Salama, Joseph S., Abate, Kalkidan Hassen, Abate, Degu, Abay, Solomon M., Abbafati, Cristiana, Abdulkader, Rizwan Suliankatchi, Abebe, Zegeye, Aboyans, Victor, Abrar, Mohammed Mehdi, Acharya, Pawan, Adetokunboh, Olatunji O., Adhikari, Tara Ballav, Adsuar, Jose C., Afarideh, Mohsen, Agardh, Emilie Elisabet, Agarwal, Gina, Aghayan, Sargis Aghasi, Agrawal, Sutapa, Ahmed, Muktar Beshir, Akibu, Mohammed ... Gakidou, Emmanuela (2018). Alcohol use and burden for 195 countries and territories, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. Lancet, 392 (10152), 1015-1035. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31310-2
2018
Journal Article
The state of US health, 1990-2016: Burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors among US states
Murray, Christopher J. L., Mokdad, Ali H., Ballestros, Katherine, Echko, Michelle, Glenn, Scott, Olsen, Helen E., Mullany, Erin, Lee, Alex, Khan, Abdur Rahman, Ahmadi, Alireza, Ferrari, Alize J., Kasaeian, Amir, Werdecker, Andrea, Carter, Austin, Zipkin, Ben, Sartorius, Benn, Serdar, Berrin, Sykes, Bryan L., Troeger, Chris, Fitzmaurice, Christina, Rehm, Colin D., Santomauro, Damian, Kim, Daniel, Colombara, Danny, Schwebel, David C., Tsoi, Derrick, Kolte, Dhaval, Nsoesie, Elaine, Nichols, Emma ... Murray, Christopher J. L. (2018). The state of US health, 1990-2016: Burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors among US states. JAMA - Journal of the American Medical Association, 319 (14), 1444-1472. doi: 10.1001/jama.2018.0158
2018
Journal Article
The prevalence and burden of mental and substance use disorders in Australia: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015
Ciobanu, Liliana G., Ferrari, Alize J., Erskine, Holly E., Santomauro, Damian F., Charlson, Fiona J., Leung, Janni, Amare, Azmeraw T., Olagunju, Andrew T., Whiteford, Harvey A. and Baune, Bernhard T. (2018). The prevalence and burden of mental and substance use disorders in Australia: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 52 (5), 4867417751641-490. doi: 10.1177/0004867417751641
2018
Journal Article
The burden of mental disorders in the Eastern Mediterranean region, 1990–2015: findings from the global burden of disease 2015 study
GBD 2015 Eastern Mediterranean Region Mental Health Collaborators, McGrath, John J., Mokdad, Ali H., Santomauro, Damian, Ferrari, Alize J., Charlson, Fiona J., Erskine, Holly E., Leung, Janni, Whiteford, Harvey A. and Abajobir, Amanuel Alemu (2018). The burden of mental disorders in the Eastern Mediterranean region, 1990–2015: findings from the global burden of disease 2015 study. International Journal of Public Health, 63 (S1), 25-37. doi: 10.1007/s00038-017-1006-1
2018
Conference Publication
Mental health, associated stigma and help seeking behaviour among the Afghan community in Australia
Ahmadzada, Sanam, Charlson, Fiona and Meurk, Carla (2018). Mental health, associated stigma and help seeking behaviour among the Afghan community in Australia. WMHHS Research Day 2018, Ipswich Hospital, 6 September 2018.
2017
Journal Article
Erratum: Measuring progress and projecting attainment on the basis of past trends of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals in 188 countries: an analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 (The Lancet (2017) 390(10100) (1423–1459) (S014067361732336X) (10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32336-X))
Fullman, Nancy, Barber, Ryan M, Abajobir, Amanuel Alemu, Abate, Kalkidan Hassen, Abbafati, Cristiana, Abbas, Kaja M, Abd-Allah, Foad, Abdulkader, Rizwan Suliankatchi, Abdulle, Abdishakur M, Abera, Semaw Ferede, Aboyans, Victor, Abu-Raddad, Laith J, Abu-Rmeileh, Niveen M E, Adedeji, Isaac Akinkunmi, Adetokunboh, Olatunji, Afshin, Ashkan, Agrawal, Anurag, Agrawal, Sutapa, Ahmad Kiadaliri, Aliasghar, Ahmadieh, Hamid, Ahmed, Muktar Beshir, Aichour, Miloud Taki Eddine, Aichour, Amani Nidhal, Aichour, Ibtihel, Aiyar, Sneha, Akinyemi, Rufus Olusola, Akseer, Nadia, Al-Aly, Ziyad, Alam, Khurshid ... Murray, Christopher J L (2017). Erratum: Measuring progress and projecting attainment on the basis of past trends of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals in 188 countries: an analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 (The Lancet (2017) 390(10100) (1423–1459) (S014067361732336X) (10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32336-X)). The Lancet, 390 (10106). doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32650-8
2017
Journal Article
Re: Meta-analysis of Australian Indigenous psychiatric treatment, critiqued
Leske, Stuart, Harris, Meredith G., Charlson, Fiona J. and Toombs, Maree (2017). Re: Meta-analysis of Australian Indigenous psychiatric treatment, critiqued. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 51 (10), 1053-1054. doi: 10.1177/0004867417726177
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Fiona Charlson is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
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Mental health and climate change
If you are considering studying a PhD in Queensland and you want your research to have social impact, then we would like you to join us at the Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR).
As a PhD student with ISSR, you will join a team of experienced researchers who want to make a difference. At ISSR we deliver high quality research to inform policy and practice and improve the life outcomes of communities and families. We have a depth of expertise and supervisory experience across research areas in public health, criminology, psychology, education, sociology, social research, and applied statistics.
As a PhD student with us, you will be part of an engaged, diverse, and welcoming HDR community that organises regular writing groups, social outings, wellbeing activities such as coffee, cake and conversation (3Cs), walking groups, lively lunchtime sessions, and much more.
Our PhD students are an important part of the Institute, and you will be able to attend regular ISSR capability building sessions, seminars, short courses and the ISSR conference, with plenty of opportunities to share your work.
ISSR is based at the beautiful, leafy, riverside Long Pocket campus at Indooroopilly with plenty of free parking and a free bus connection to the main campus at St Lucia, just 7 minutes away. You will have a light, spacious, modern and attractive workspace at Long Pocket and feel part of our inclusive ISSR work group.
If you would like to know more, we encourage you to reach to potential supervisors directly. For general inquires about the HDR program at UQ, please contact Lindsay Muller at hdr.issr@enquire.uq.edu.au.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Beyond Recovery: Developing A Decision Making Framework For State and Provincial Level Governments To Design And Deliver Mental Health and Wellbeing Services That Promote Resilence and Foster Growth To Communites Impacted By Climate Risk Disasters
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kristiana Ludlow
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Doctor Philosophy
Mental health stigma in refugee and migrant communities: co-designing a mental health promotion framework
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Exploring links between social determinants of mental health, the impact of a climate driven flood event, and mental health outcomes.
Principal Advisor
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the contribution of psychosis and bipolar disorder to premature mortality
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Harvey Whiteford, Dr Alize Ferrari, Associate Professor Damian Santomauro
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Weathering the Storm: How Young People Respond to and Cope With Climate Change
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James Scott, Dr Hannah Thomas
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Fiona Charlson directly for media enquiries about:
- climate change
- mental health
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: