Dr Sasha Davies, Ph.D

Published Cognitive & Developmental Psychology Academic | Skilled in Statistical Analysis & Research Design | Specialist in Perinatal & Early Childhood Development

Research Expertise

Cognitive Psychology

Statistical Analysis

Developmental Psychology

Psychology

About

Dr Sasha Davies is a **cognitive and developmental psychologist** with extensive experience in **psychological research**, **higher education**, and **curriculum design**. Her research explores cognitive change in the perinatal period, early parenthood, empathy, and developmental well-being across the lifespan. She has **published peer-reviewed articles**, presented at national and international conferences, and **supervised research** at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Dr Davies has a strong background in **applied statistical analysis** and **research design**, with a focus on rigorous, ethically grounded methods in psychology. She has **subject matter expertise** in psychology units across all year levels in **tertiary education** and is known for fostering critical thinking, reflective practice, and **scientific literacy** in students. In addition to her academic work, Dr Davies is an **experienced science communicator**. She has written articles and blogs for a general audience, contributed to media interviews including BBC World (London), and appeared on psychology-focused podcasts. Through this work, she brings a unique ability to **translate complex psychological research** into accessible, real-world insights for both **professional and public audiences.**

Publications

Associations between maternal psychological distress and mother-infant bonding: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Archives of Women's Mental Health / Jun 15, 2023

O’Dea, G. A., Youssef, G. J., Hagg, L. J., Francis, L. M., Spry, E. A., Rossen, L., Smith, I., Teague, S. J., Mansour, K., Booth, A., Davies, S., Hutchinson, D., & Macdonald, J. A. (2023). Associations between maternal psychological distress and mother-infant bonding: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 26(4), 441–452. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-023-01332-1

Neighbourhood built environment and physical function among mid-to-older aged adults: A systematic review

Health & Place / Jul 01, 2019

Rachele, J. N., Sugiyama, T., Davies, S., Loh, V. H. Y., Turrell, G., Carver, A., & Cerin, E. (2019). Neighbourhood built environment and physical function among mid-to-older aged adults: A systematic review. Health & Place, 58, 102137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.05.015

Cognitive impairment during pregnancy: a meta‐analysis

Medical Journal of Australia / Jan 01, 2018

Davies, S. J., Lum, J. A., Skouteris, H., Byrne, L. K., & Hayden, M. J. (2018). Cognitive impairment during pregnancy: a meta‐analysis. Medical Journal of Australia, 208(1), 35–40. Portico. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja17.00131

Empathy, Theory of Mind, and psychological outcomes in early parenthood: comparing mothers, fathers, and non-parents

Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology / Dec 17, 2024

Davies, S. J. (2024). Empathy, Theory of Mind, and psychological outcomes in early parenthood: comparing mothers, fathers, and non-parents. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2024.2442470

Maternal and paternal depression and anxiety and offspring infant negative affectivity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Nov 06, 2020

Spry, E., Aarsman, S., Youssef, G. J., patton, george, Macdonald, J. A., Sanson, A., Thomson, K., Hutchinson, D., Letcher, P., & Olsson, C. (2020). Maternal and paternal depression and anxiety and offspring infant negative affectivity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/y9s7w

Education

Deakin University

Doctor of Philosophy (Cognition and Developmental Psychology), Faculty of Health (School of Psychology) / June, 2022

Burwood, Victoria, Australia

Deakin University

Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Faculty of Health (School of Psychology) / December, 2014

Burwood, Victoria, Australia

Deakin University

Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies, Faculty of Health (School of Psychology) / December, 2013

Burwood, Victoria, Australia

Monash University - Caulfield Campus

Bachelor of Arts, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences / December, 2013

Caulfield East, Victoria, Australia

Experience

Boundless Online Learning Services

Cairnmillar Institute

Senior Lecturer / June, 2020 — Present

Deakin University

Sessional academic / March, 2015 — July, 2020

Research Assistant / June, 2015 — June, 2020

Deakin College

Lecturer / March, 2017 — June, 2020

Australian Catholic University

Research Assistant / June, 2016 — December, 2016

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