ProfessorAntonina Mikocka-Walus

Professor Antonina Mikocka-Walus is Professor of Health Psychology and Deputy Head of the School of Psychology at Deakin University. She is an experienced academic leader with a strong track record across research, education, research training, people and organisational leadership, and the delivery of complex academic programs.

At Deakin, she has held a succession of senior leadership roles, including Deputy Head of School, Associate Head of School (Research), Faculty Higher Degree by Research Director, School HDR Coordinator and Chair of the Faculty Program to Support Academic Careers Equitably (pACE). As Deputy Head of School, she contributes to the strategic and operational leadership of one of Deakin's largest schools, including academic workforce matters, teaching and professional programs, research, accreditation, quality assurance and broader School performance.

Professor Mikocka-Walus is an internationally recognised health psychology researcher whose work spans behavioural medicine, psycho-gastroenterology and women's health, with particular expertise in developing and evaluating psychological and behavioural interventions for chronic health conditions. Her research has influenced clinical guidelines and policy internationally and has attracted substantial competitive research funding. She leads large multidisciplinary and multi-institutional collaborations involving universities, health services, clinicians, consumers and community organisations. She has published more than 220 peer-reviewed papers, attracted approximately $20 million in competitive research funding with collaborators, and supervised more than 25 doctoral and professional psychology research candidates.

A strong focus of her academic leadership has been developing people and academic capability. She has extensive experience in mentoring academics and research students, supporting early- and mid-career researchers, strengthening research culture and developing initiatives that foster collaboration and career development.

Professor Mikocka-Walus has worked across Australian and international university systems. Before joining Deakin in 2016, she held academic and research positions at the University of York, University of South Australia, Monash University and the University of Adelaide. She holds a PhD from the University of Adelaide and has interdisciplinary training spanning psychology, health and the social sciences.