Judith Austin is a researcher working at the intersection of health psychology, positive psychology and eHealth & design. She is currently finalizing her PhD and starting as an assistant professor at the department of Psychology, Health & Technology.

In her doctoral research, Austin co-designed and evaluated a mobile self-compassion intervention (Compas-Y) for people with newly diagnosed cancer. This Compassionate Mind Training application is uniquely tailored to people with cancer and to mobile technology. The co-design process was based on systematically integrating theory and evidence with user wishes and needs. Using mixed methods and integrative analysis, Austin evaluated the use, appreciation and mental health impact of the application.

Building on her work on co-design and eHealth, Austin will continue to examine creative ways to include people’s wishes and needs regarding the scope and acceptance of a technology. As part of the 4TU RECENTRE project, wishes and needs of people with cancer or obesity regarding lifestyle-related sensor technologies will be investigated with adaptive virtual reality and sensor related future-self perceptions.

Austin most aligns with interdisciplinary and mixed methods research. Both of these facilitate original thinking by challenging established conventions, and embrace knowledge emerging from divergence and complexity. Austin is involved in student supervision and guest lectures. Her overall research agenda is focused on promoting health, compassion and well-being in a high tech society.