ECU offers innovative and practical courses across a variety of disciplines and we have a vibrant research culture. ECU is a leader in developing alternative entry pathways to higher education.
We have three campuses in Western Australia. Joondalup and Mount Lawley in the Perth metropolitan area and our South West campus in Bunbury, 200km south of the Perth CBD.
ECU provides a variety of services and facilities that go beyond the classroom, with opportunities for personal development and social interaction for students and staff.
We collaborate with all types of businesses, including new start-ups, small to medium enterprises, not-for-profits, community organisations, government and large corporates in the resources sector.
Children's University Edith Cowan aims to inspire students between seven and fourteen to develop confidence and a love of learning through validated activities beyond the school curriculum.
The Inspiring Minds scholarship program are equity scholarships that give students an opportunity to access an education that may otherwise be out of reach.
Fraser, A., Branson, I., Hollett, R., Speelman, C., Rogers, S. (2024). Do realistic avatars make virtual reality better? Examining human-like avatars for VR social interactions. Computers in Human Behavior: Artificial Humans, 2(2), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbah.2024.100082.
Branson, I., Speelman, C., Rogers, S. (2024). Intrinsic motivation in a virtual reality mock crime affects participants’ willingness to invest more effort in deceptive interviews. Scientific Reports, 14(1), article number 33. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-50515-4.
Speelman, C., Parker, L., Rapley, B., McGann, M. (2024). Most Psychological Researchers Assume Their Samples Are Ergodic: Evidence From a Year of Articles in Three Major Journals. Collabra: Psychology, 10(1), 1597-1613. https://doi.org/10.1525/collabra.92888.
Sohrabi, H., Gavett, BE., Weinborn, M., Speelman, C., Bucks, RS., Martins, R. (2024). The McCusker Subjective Cognitive Impairment Inventory (McSCI): a novel measure of perceived cognitive decline. Age and Ageing, 53(7), article number afae138. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afae138.
Guidetti, O., Speelman, C. (2023). Pivoting Human Resource Policy Around Emerging Invasive and Non-invasive Neurotechnology. Cybersecurity for Smart Cities: Practices and Challenges (31-46). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24946-4_3.
Journal Articles
Guidetti, O., Speelman, C., Bouhlas, P. (2023). Mapping between cognitive theories and psycho-physiological models of attention system performance. Cerebral Cortex, 33(18), 10122-10138. https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhad271.
Moore, S., Speelman, C., McGann, M. (2023). Pervasiveness Of Effects In Sample-Based Experimental Psychology: A Re-Examination Of Replication Data From Nine Famous Psychology Experiments. New Ideas in Psychology, 68(2023), article number 100978. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.newideapsych.2022.100978.
Guidetti, O., Speelman, C., Bouhlas, P. (2023). The Wacdt, A Modern Vigilance Task For Network Defense. Frontiers In Neuroergonomics, 4(2023), article number 1215497. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnrgo.2023.1215497.
Guidetti, O., Speelman, C., Bouhlas, P. (2023). A Review Of Cyber Vigilance Tasks For Network Defense. Frontiers In Neuroergonomics, 4(2023), article number 1104873. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnrgo.2023.1104873.
Fraser, A., Branson, I., Hollett, R., Speelman, C., Rogers, S. (2022). Expressiveness of real-time motion captured avatars influences perceived animation realism and perceived quality of social interaction in virtual reality. Frontiers in Virtual Reality, 3(2022), article number 981400. https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2022.981400.
Rogers, S., Broadbent, B., Brown, J., Fraser, A., Speelman, C. (2022). Realistic motion avatars are the future for social interaction in virtual reality. Frontiers in Virtual Reality, 2(January 2022), Article number 750729. https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2021.750729.
Rogers, S., Hollett, R., Li, Y., Speelman, C. (2022). An Evaluation of Virtual Reality Role-Play Experiences for Helping-Profession Courses. Teaching of Psychology, 49(1), 78-84. https://doi.org/10.1177/0098628320983231.
Palassis, A., Speelman, C., Pooley, JA. (2021). An Exploration of the Psychological Impact of Hacking Victimization. Sage Open, 11(4), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211061556.
Speelman, C. (2021). Development Support of Early Career Researchers in the Netherlands: Lessons for Australia. Sage Open, 11(3), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211047564.
O'Hara, E., Harms, C., Ma'ayah, F., Speelman, C. (2021). Educational Outcomes of Adolescents Participating in Specialist Sport Programs in Low SES Areas of Western Australia: A Mixed Methods Study. Frontiers in Psychology, 12(May 2021), Article number 667628. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.667628.
McGann, M., Speelman, C. (2020). Two Kinds of Theory: What Psychology Can Learn From Einstein. Theory and Psychology, 30(5), 674-689. https://doi.org/10.1177/0959354320937804.
Sohrabi, H., Goozee, K., Weinborn, M., Shen, K., Brown, B., Rainey-Smith, S., Salvado, O., Taddei, K., Bucks, R., Maruff, P., Laws, S., Lenzo, N., Laws, M., Deyoung, C., Speelman, C., Laske, C., Ames, D., Savage, G., Martins, R. (2020). Personality factors and cerebral glucose metabolism in community‑dwelling older adults. Brain Structure and Function, 225(5), 1511–1522. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-020-02071-0.
Speelman, C., McGann, M. (2020). Statements About the Pervasiveness of Behavior Require Data About the Pervasiveness of Behavior. Frontiers in Psychology, 11(19 November 2020), Article number 594675. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.594675.
Cresswell, C., Speelman, C. (2020). Does mathematics training lead to better logical thinking and reasoning? A cross- sectional assessment from students to professors. PLoS One, 15(7), Article number e0236153. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236153.
Kan, B., Speelman, C., Nosaka, K. (2019). Cognitive demand of eccentric versus concentric cycling and its effects on post-exercise attention and vigilance. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 119(7), 1599-1610. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-019-04149-y.
Geraghty, S., Speelman, C., Bayes, S. (2019). Fighting a losing battle: Midwives experiences of workplace stress. Women and Birth, 32(3), e297-e306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2018.07.012.
Rogers, S., Guidetti, O., Speelman, C., Longmuir, M., Phillips, R. (2019). Contact Is in the Eye of the Beholder: The Eye Contact Illusion. Perception, 48(3), 248-252. https://doi.org/10.1177/0301006619827486.
Conference Publications
Speelman, C., Valli, C., Guidetti, O. (2019). Towards a Method for Examining the Effects of Cognitive Load on the Performance of Cyber First Responders. Proceedings of the International Conference on Security and Management (SAM) (41-47). CSREA. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/6804.
Rogers, S., Speelman, C., Guidetti, O., Longmuir, M. (2018). Using dual eye tracking to uncover personal gaze patterns during social interaction. Scientific Reports, 8(1), article no.4271. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-22726-7.
Jayokody, D., Almeida, O., Speelman, C., Bennet, R., Moyle, T., Yiannoos, J., Friedland, P. (2018). Association between speech and high-frequency hearing loss and depression, anxiety and stress in older adults. Maturitas, 110(April 2018), 86-91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2018.02.002.
Speelman, C., Shadbolt, E. (2018). The role of awareness of repetition during the development of automaticity in a dot-counting task. PeerJ, 6(2018), article no.e4329. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4329.
Speelman, C., Forbes, J., Giesen, K., Parkinson, M., Johnson, L. (2016). The Stability of Old Skills during Transfer. Sage Open, 6(3), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244016658336.
Tan, B., Pooley, JA., Speelman, C. (2016). A Meta-Analytic Review of the Efficacy of Physical Exercise Interventions on Cognition in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(9), 3126-3143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-2854-x.
Merema, M., Speelman, C. (2015). The Interdependence of Long- and Short- Term Components in Unmasked Repetition Priming: An Indication of Shared Resources. PLoS One, 10(12), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0144747.
Speelman, C., Muller-Townsend, K. (2015). Attaining automaticity in the visual numerosity task is not automatic. Frontiers in Psychology, 6(2015), Article no. 1744. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01744.
Croy, G., Gerrans, P., Speelman, C. (2015). A mediating role for anticipated regret in predicting retirement savings intention between groups with (without) past behaviour. Australian Journal of Psychology, 67(2), 87-96. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajpy.12070.
Campitelli, G., Speelman, C. (2014). Expertise and the Illusion of Expertise in Gambling. Problem Gambling: Cognition, Prevention and Treatment (41-60). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137272423_2.
Journal Articles
Hay, A., Speelman, C. (2014). Stability and accuracy of long-term memory for musical pitch. GSTF Journal of Psychology, 1(1), 38-44. https://doi.org/10.5176/0000-0002_1.1.6.
Gerrans, P., Speelman, C., Campitelli, G. (2014). The Relationship Between Personal Financial Wellness and Financial Wellbeing: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 35(2), 145-160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-013-9358-z.
Speelman, C. (2014). The acquisition of expertise in the classroom: Are current models of education appropriate?. Frontiers in Psychology, 5(JUN, 2014), Article no. 580. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00580.
Speelman, C. (2013). A test of a computer game designed to facilitate the acquisition of arithmetic skills. Enhancing Human Performance (1-21). Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Journal Articles
Merema, M., Speelman, C., Foster, J., Kaczmarek, E. (2013). Neuroticism (Not Depressive Symptoms) Predicts Memory Complaints in Some Community-Dwelling Older Adults.. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 21(8), 729-736. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2013.01.059.
Speelman, C., Clark-Murphy, M., Gerrans, P. (2013). Decision Making Clusters in Retirement Savings: Gender Differences Dominate. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 34(3), 329-339. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-012-9334-z.
Campitelli, G., Speelman, C. (2013). Expertise paradigms for investigating the neural substrates of stable memories. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 7(November), article 740. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2013.00740.
Gringart, E., Helmes, E., Speelman, C. (2013). Development of a Measure of Stereotypical Attitudes towards Older Workers. Australian Psychologist, 48(2), 110-118. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-9544.2011.00024.x.
Conference Publications
Speelman, C. (2013). Facilitating the acquisition of arithmetic skills with a computer game. Proceedings of the 2nd Annual International Conference on Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology (CBP 2013) (1-7). Global Science & Technology Forum.
Croy, G., Gerrans, P., Speelman, C. (2012). Psychological determinants of retirement savings behaviour: An application of the theory of planned behaviour.. Lambert Academic Publishing.
Journal Articles
Merema, M., Speelman, C., Kaczmarek, E., Foster, J. (2012). Age and premorbid intelligence suppress complaint-performance congruency in raw score measures of memory. International Psychogeriatrics, 24(3), 397-405. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610211001918.
Speelman, C., Parkinson, M. (2012). Recovery from a transfer disruption.. GSTF Journal of Law and Sciences, 1(2), 29-34. https://doi.org/10.5176/2251-2853_1.2.32.
Speelman, C., Kirsner, K., Halloy, S. (2012). A theory of the mind as a complex system.. Current Research in Psychology, 3(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.3844/crpsp.2012.1.18.
Croy, G., Gerrans, P., Speelman, C. (2012). Normative influence on retirement savings decisions: Do people care what employers and the government want?. Australian Journal of Psychology, 64(2), 83-91. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-9536.2011.00029.x.
Conference Publications
Orlando, R., Speelman, C. (2012). The Effect of Music Teaching Method on Music Reading Skills and Music Participation: An Online Study. Proceedings of the ICMPC-‐ESCOM 2012 Joint Conference (759-765). School of Music Studies, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Speelman, C., Sibma, S., Maclachlan, S. (2012). Memory for Sequence Order in Songs.. Proceedings of the ICMPC-‐ESCOM 2012 Joint Conference (944-949). School of Music Studies, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Speelman, C., Forbes, J., Giesen, K. (2011). Performing New Tasks with Old Skills: Is Prediction Possible?. The International Conference SKILLS 2011 (1-4). EDP Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/20110100085.
Simpson, T., Speelman, C. (2010). Anxiety and skill acquisition: The association between anxiety, working memory and skill acquisition and transfer. Lambert Academic Publishing.
Gringart, E., Helmes, E., Speelman, C. (2010). The Role of Stereotypes in Age Discrimination in Hiring: Evaluation and Intervention. Lambert Academic Publishing.
Journal Articles
Speelman, C., Martin, K., Flower, S., Simpson, T. (2010). Skill Acquisition in Skin Cancer Detection. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 110(1), 277-297.
Croy, G., Gerrans, P., Speelman, C. (2010). The role and relevance of domain knowledge, perceptions of planning importance, and risk tolerance in predicting savings intentions. Journal of Economic Psychology, 31(6), 860-871.
Croy, G., Gerrans, P., Speelman, C. (2010). Injunctive Social Norms Primacy Over Descriptive Social Norms in Retirement Savings Decisions. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 71(4), 259-282.
Gerrans, P., Clark-Murphy, M., Speelman, C. (2010). Asset allocation and age effects in retirement savings choices. Accounting & Finance, 50(2), 301- 319.
Clark-Murphy, M., Gerrans, P., Speelman, C. (2009). Return Chasing as a Driver in Individual Retirement Savings Investment Choices: Evidence from Australia. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 30(1), 4-19.
Brooks, J., Nathan, E., Speelman, C., Swalm, D., Jacques, A., Doherty, D. (2009). Tailoring screening protocols for perinatal depression: prevalence of high risk across obstetric services in Western Australia. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 12(2), 105-112.
Purnell-Webb, P., Speelman, C. (2008). Effects of Music on Memory for Text. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 106(3), 927-957. https://doi.org/10.2466/PMS.106.3.927-957.
Gringart, E., Helmes, E., Speelman, C. (2008). Harnessing Cognitive Dissonance to Promote Positive Attitudes Toward Older Workers in Australia. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 38(3), 751-778.
Buist, A., Austin, M., Hayes, B., Speelman, C., Bilszta, JL., Gemmill, AW., Brooks, J., Ellwood, D., Milgrom, J. (2008). Postnatal Mental Health of Women Giving Birth in Australia 2002-2004: Findings From the Beyond Blue National Postnatal Depression Program.. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 42(1), 66-73. https://doi.org/10.1080/00048670701732749.
Speelman, C., Clark-Murphy, M., Gerrans, P. (2007). Decision making clusters in retirement savings: Preliminary findings. Australian Journal of Labour Economics, 10(2), 115-127.
Buist, A., Speelman, C., Hayes, B., Reay, R., Milgrom, J., Meyer, D., Condon, J. (2007). Impact of education on women with perinatal depression. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology, 28(1), 49-54.
Speelman, C., Kirsner, K. (2006). Transfer of training and its effect on learning curves. Tutorials in Quantitative Methods for Psychology, 2(2), 52-65.
Buist, A., Condon, J., Brooks, J., Speelman, C., Milgrom, J., Hayes, B., Ellwood, D., Barnett, B., Kowalenko, N., Matthey, S., Austin, M., Bilszta, J. (2006). Acceptability of routine screening for perinatal depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 93(1-3), 233-237.
Gerrans, P., Gardner, D., Clark-Murphy, M., Speelman, C. (2006). An Investigation of Home Bias in Superannuation Investment Choices. Economic Papers, 25(1), 17-31.
Gerrans, P., Clark-Murphy, M., Speelman, C. (2006). How Much Investment Choice is Enough for Members?. Australian Accounting Review, 16(3), 14-22.
Conference Publications
Speelman, C., Clark-Murphy, M., Gerrans, P. (2006). Decision Making Clusters and Gender Issues in Retirement Savings. Essays in Heterodox Economics 5th Australian Society of Heterodox Economists Conference (337-346). Society of Heterodox Economists.
Gerrans, P., Clark-Murphy, M., Speelman, C. (2006). Asset allocation and age effects in superannuation investment choice. Proceedings of the 35th Australian Conference of Economists (1-33). Curtin Business School.
Speelman, C., Kirsner, K. (2005). Beyond the learning curve:The construction of mind. Oxford University Press.
Journal Articles
Gringart, E., Helmes, E., Speelman, C. (2005). Exploring attitudes toward older workers among Australian employers: An Empirical Study. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 17(3), 85-103.
Speelman, C., Simpson, T., Kirsner, K. (2002). The unbearable lightness of priming. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica, 111, 191-204.
Conference Publications
Speelman, C., Landre, J. (2002). Repetition priming of melodies.. 7th International Conference on Music Perception and Cognition. (). Casual Productions.
Speelman, C., Kirsner, K. (2001). Predicting transfer from training performance. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica, 108, 247-281.
Research Projects
The effect of cognitive and exercise training on Brain Atrophy and Cognitive Decline in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Adjuvant Chemotherapy Agents, Cancer Council of WA Inc, Collaborative Cancer Grant Scheme, 2018 ‑ 2025, $49,966.
Physiological indicators of stress during Cybersecurity work, Cyber Security Research Centre Ltd, Cyber Security Research Centre PhD Scholarship, 2020 ‑ 2024, $180,000.
Augmenting Cyber Defence Capability (ACDC), Cyber Security Research Centre Ltd, Grant, 2022 ‑ 2024, $885,000.
Measuring and Mitigating Vigilance Decrement in Cyber Network Defence Tasks, Cyber Security Research Centre Ltd, Cyber Security Research Centre PhD Scholarship, 2019 ‑ 2022, $225,000.
Scenario Methodology for Assessing Defence Capability Against Information Warfare Threats, Defence Science and Technology Group of the Department of Defence, Modelling Complex Warfighting, 2020 ‑ 2021, $100,000.
Endeavour Executive Fellowship, Department of Education, DoE - Endeavour Executive Fellowship, 2018, $9,500.
Individual differences in skill acquisition: Why some people fail to develop automaticity., Edith Cowan University, ECU Collaboration Enhancement Scheme - 2016 Round 2, 2017 ‑ 2018, $5,016.
Cyber Electronic Warfare: The effects of team dynamics, cognitive load and team mental models., Defence Science and Technology Group of the Department of Defence, Competitive Evaluation Research Agreement (CERA) Program, 2017 ‑ 2018, $99,369.
Researching automaticity using eye tracking equipment and software , Edith Cowan University, School of Arts and Humanities Research Grant Scheme 2016, 2016 ‑ 2017, $13,872.
Screening the Score: Exploring the Potentials and Limitations of Presenting Music Notation on the iPad, Edith Cowan University, ECU Early Career Researcher Grant - 2014, 2014 ‑ 2016, $20,000.
Improving the numeracy skills of children, Collier Charitable Fund, Grant, 2015 ‑ 2016, $29,973.
The role of practice in the acquisition of arithmetic skills., Edith Cowan University, ECU Industry Collaboration Grant - 2014 (Round 1), 2013 ‑ 2015, $34,883.
The role of practice in the acquisition of arithmetic skills – an iPad trial., Association of Independent Schools of WA, AISWA - Grant, 2014 ‑ 2015, $7,500.
Blast the Germs, Association of Independent Schools of WA, AISWA - Grant, 2010 ‑ 2013, $60,000.
Building Financial Literacy and Retirement Savings Engagement by Developing a Financial Education Programme for the Workplace, Australian Research Council, Grant - Linkage (Projects), 2009 ‑ 2013, $231,549.
Western Australian Antenatal and Postnatal Screening Study: National Postnatal Depression Prevention and Early Intervention Program, beyondblue, Scholarship, 2006 ‑ 2009, $45,000.
The Retirement Savings Decisions of Australian Workers: A Long-Term Study of Public Sector and Industry Fund Members, Edith Cowan University, Grant - Near miss, 2003 ‑ 2006, $219,056.
National Postnatal Depression Prevention and Early Intervention Program., beyondblue, Grant, 2001 ‑ 2005, $418,974.
Doctor of Philosophy, Comparing live to recorded music and stories using multiple psychoneuroendocrine and psychological measures
Doctor of Philosophy, Duet for life: Is alexithymia a key note in couples' empathy, emotional connection, relationship dissatisfaction, and their therapy outcomes?
Doctor of Philosophy, Measuring and Mitigating Vigilance Decrement in Network Defence Personnel
Doctor of Philosophy, Rewiring head and heart: An investigation into the efficacy of a clinical psychotherapeutic modality for the treatment of depression
Doctor of Philosophy: The child knows best: the strategies and tactics of accelerated learning
Doctor of Philosophy: The role of memory in the development of musical skill
Doctor of Philosophy, 'Fighting a losing battle': A Glaserian grounded theory of midwives' workplace stress
Doctor of Philosophy, Cognitive reactivity: Evidence of a regulatory mechanism that compensates for dysphoric mood and mediates depression vulnerability.
Doctor of Philosophy, Psychological determinants of retirement savings behaviour: An application of the theory of planned behaviour.
Doctor of Philosophy, An examination of the relationship between positive psychological functioning and depression
Doctor of Philosophy, Having a known, trusted support person during labour and birth: Perceptions of Indonesian (javanese) women, their support person and midwives
Doctor of Philosophy, Transfer of automatic skills: The role of automaticity in skill acquisition and transfer
Doctor of Philosophy, Cognitive fatigue: Exploring the relationship between the fatigue effect and action video-game experience
Doctor of Philosophy, Perceptions about goal setting, academic behaviours, academic performance, and psychological distress of university-bound secondary students.
Doctor of Philosophy, The distinct contributions of affective distress and personality to memory complaints made in older adulthood
Co-principal Supervisor
Doctor of Philosophy, The effects of exercise intensity and cognitive load on acute changes in attention and vigilance in healthy young adults
Doctor of Philosophy, Educational and psychosocial development of adolescents in specialist sports programs in low SES areas of Perth, Western Australia.
Associate Supervisor
Doctor of Philosophy, Using discrete trial training with progressive time delay prompting to teach children with autism spectrum disorder to tact phonemes
Doctor of Philosophy, It's more than the money: Harnessing virtual reality to produce more context rich mock-crimes to facilitate intrinsic motivation for role-playing in mock-crimes and interviews
Doctor of Philosophy, The relationship between physical exercise and cognition in children with typical development and neurodevelopmental disorders
Doctor of Philosophy, Structure strategy use in children's comprehension of expository texts
Doctor of Philosophy, Perceived harms and benefits of parental cannabis use, and parents' reports regarding harm-reduction strategies
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