Dr. Stephanie Hardacre earned her PhD in Social Psychology from the University of Newcastle in 2020. Her doctoral research focused on political solidarity and leadership in the context of gender equality, examining how leader gender influences the ability of male and female leaders to mobilise individuals for gender equality as a shared cause.

Stephanie is currently a Research Fellow in the School of Medicine and Psychology at the Australian National University, contributing to an ARC-funded project that investigates online strategies to enhance social integration and mental wellbeing among working-class university students. She is also a researcher at the University of Newcastle’s Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education, where she explores the impact of gender-based violence on students’ access to and participation in higher education.

In addition to her research roles, Stephanie is a provisional psychologist undertaking a Master of Clinical Psychology, blending her academic expertise with clinical training to address complex social and psychological challenges.