New Chair of Forensic Mental Health at the University of New South Wales

Associate Professor Kimberlie Dean has been appointed the inaugural Chair of Forensic Mental Health at the University of New South Wales.

The Chair – a first for the University and only the second appointment of its kind in Australia – has been established through a long-standing partnership between UNSW and Justice Health.

In forensic mental health, scientific and clinical expertise is applied in legal contexts.

Kimberlie Dean joins UNSW from the Institute of Psychiatry in London – the UK’s leading mental health research and training body – where she has been a senior lecturer in forensic psychiatry.

“Associate Professor Dean’s appointment will enable the development of an extensive research program in this important and under-researched field,” said Scientia Professor Philip Mitchell, Head of the School of Psychiatry at UNSW.

“This is an exciting initiative for the School of Psychiatry, Justice Health and the Forensic Mental Health Network.”

Justice Health and the Forensic Mental Health Network, part of NSW Health, provide health care to people in the adult correctional environment, courts and police cells, to juvenile detainees and people within the state forensic mental health system and in the community.

Chief Executive of Justice Health and the Forensic Mental Health Network, Julie Babineau, also welcomed the appointment.

“This is the first clinical academic position in Forensic Mental Health and we look forward to Associate Professor Dean's valued contribution to improving patient care in NSW.

“The research Chair is another example of the positive relationship between Justice Health, the Forensic Mental Health Network and UNSW,” Ms Babineau said.

The Chair builds on UNSW’s Masters of Forensic Mental Health and the related MPhil program.