Dr Melissa Johnstone
Research Fellow
Institute for Social Science Reseach
Senior Research Fellow
Institute for Social Science Research
0733651343
+61 7 336 51343
Researcher biography
Melissa is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Social Science Research. She holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Queensland, and a MA in Psychology from the University of Auckland.
Melissa's research focuses on equity, life course transitions and wellbeing. She has substantial experience in research that impacts policy and practice, having worked closely with Government Departments (at state and federal level) in Australia. She has extensive experience in mixed methods research, including using administrative data together with survey and qualitative data. Melissa is currently leading the Modes of Delivery in Higher Education project, on behalf of the Department of Education.
Publications
Journal Articles
Perales, Francisco, Johnstone, Melissa, Xiang, Ning and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2023). Explaining achievement gaps between students from regional and metropolitan areas: accounting for socio-demographic and school climate factors. Australian Journal of Education, 1-18. doi: 10.1177/00049441231152943
Coles, Laetitia, Johnstone, Melissa, Pattinson, Cassandra, Thorpe, Karen, Van Halen, Olivia, Zheng, Zhaoxi, Bayliss, Olivia, Lakeman, Nicole, Western, Mark, Povey, Jenny and Staton, Sally (2022). Identifying factors for poorer educational outcomes that may be exacerbated by
COVID
‐19: A systematic review focussing on at‐risk school children and adolescents. Australian Journal of Social Issues. doi: 10.1002/ajs4.236
Lystad, Reidar P, Fajardo Pulido, Diana, Peters, Lorna, Johnstone, Melissa, Ellis, Louise A, Braithwaite, Jeffrey, Wuthrich, Viviana, Amin, Janaki, Cameron, Cate M and Mitchell, Rebecca J (2022). Feasibility of monitoring health and well-being in emerging adults: pilot longitudinal cohort study. JMIR Formative Research, 6 (1) e30027, e30027. doi: 10.2196/30027
Johnstone, Melissa and Lucke, Jayne (2021). The emotional impact of unfulfilled career aspirations for stay-at-home mothers in Australia. Journal of Family Issues, 43 (9), 1-25. doi: 10.1177/0192513x211030730
Macmillan, Caitlin M., Allan, Sonia, Johnstone, Melissa and Stokes, Mark A. (2021). The motivations of donor-conceived adults for seeking information about, and contact with, sperm donors. Reproductive Biomedicine Online, 43 (1), 149-158. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.04.005
Lucke, Jayne and Johnstone, Melissa (2020). “It’s Been a Bit of a Rollercoaster”: Australian Women’s Difficulties and Coping Strategies. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 42 (1), 1-11. doi: 10.1080/01612840.2020.1770386
Lystad, Reidar P., Fajardo Pulido, Diana, Peters, Lorna, Johnstone, Melissa, Ellis, Louise A., Braithwaite, Jeffrey, Wuthrich, Viviana, Amin, Janaki, Cameron, Cate M. and Mitchell, Rebecca J. (2020). Monitoring health and well-being in emerging adults: protocol for a pilot longitudinal cohort study. JMIR Research Protocols, 9 (4), e16108. doi: 10.2196/16108
Johnstone, Melissa, Lucke, J. and Hewitt, B. (2020). Life transitions and women’s desired number of children: the impact of motherhood, relationships and employment. Community, Work & Family, 24 (5), 1-20. doi: 10.1080/13668803.2020.1744526
Jones, Catherine, Hadley, Fay, Waniganayake, Manjula and Johnstone, Melissa (2019). Find your tribe! Early childhood educators defining and identifying key factors that support their workplace wellbeing. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 44 (4), 326-338. doi: 10.1177/1836939119870906
Johnstone, Melissa and Mulherin, Kate (2019). From distress to flourishing: towards a strengths-based approach for young mothers. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 38 (2), 1-18. doi: 10.1080/02646838.2019.1621277
Johnstone, Melissa, Jetten, Jolanda, Dingle, Genevieve A., Parsell, Cameron and Walter, Zoe (2016). Enhancing well-being of homeless individuals by building group membership. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 26 (5), 421-438. doi: 10.1002/casp.2272
Ferris, Laura J., Jetten, Jolanda, Johnstone, Melissa, Girdham, Elise, Parsell, Cameron and Walter, Zoe C. (2016). The Florence Nightingale effect: Organizational identification explains the peculiar link between others' suffering and workplace functioning in the homelessness sector. Frontiers in Psychology, 7 (JAN) 16, 16.1-16.15. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00016
Johnstone, Melissa, Parsell, Cameron, Jetten, Jolanda, Dingle, Genevieve and Walter, Zoe (2015). Breaking the cycle of homelessness: Housing stability and social support as predictors of long-term well-being. Housing Studies, 31 (4), 1-17. doi: 10.1080/02673037.2015.1092504
Walter, Zoe C., Jetten, Jolanda, Dingle, Genevieve, Parsell, Cameron and Johnstone, Melissa (2015). Two pathways through adversity: predicting well‐being and housing outcomes among homeless service users. British Journal of Social Psychology, 55 (2), 357-374. doi: 10.1111/bjso.12127
Johnstone, Melissa, Jetten, Jolanda, Dingle, Genevieve A., Parsell, Cameron and Walter, Zoe C. (2015). Discrimination and well-being amongst the homeless: the role of multiple group membership. Frontiers in Psychology, 6 (739) 739, 1-9. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00739
Mulherin, Kate and Johnstone, Melissa (2015). Qualitative accounts of teenage and emerging adult women adjusting to motherhood. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 33 (4), 388-401. doi: 10.1080/02646838.2015.1042963
Johnstone, Melissa and Feeney, Judith A (2015). Individual differences in responses to workplace stress: The contribution of attachment theory. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 45 (7), 412-424. doi: 10.1111/jasp.12308
Dingle, Genevieve, Cruwys, Tegan, Jetten, Jetten, Johnstone, Melissa and Walter, Zoe (2014). The benefits of participation in recreational group activities for adults at risk of homelessness.. Parity, 27 (6), 18-19.
Johnstone, Melissa and Lee, Christina (2014). Lifestyle Preference Theory: no match for young Australian women. Journal of Sociology, OnlineFirst (2), 1-17. doi: 10.1177/1440783313518247
Johnstone, Melissa and Lee, Christina (2012). Young Australian women and their aspirations: "It's hard enough thinking a week or two in advance at the moment". Journal of Adolescent Research, 27 (3), 351-376. doi: 10.1177/0743558411409932
Johnstone, Melissa, Lucke, Jayne and Lee, Christina (2011). Influences of marriage, motherhood, and other life events on Australian women's employment aspirations. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 35 (2), 267-281. doi: 10.1177/0361684310388502
Johnstone, Melissa and Lee, Christina (2009). Young Australian Women's Aspirations for Work and Family: Individual and Sociocultural Differences. Sex Roles, 61 (3-4), 204-220. doi: 10.1007/s11199-009-9622-8
Johnstone, Melissa and Lee, Christina (2009). Young Australian women’s aspirations for work and family. Family Matters, 81, 5-14.
Conference Papers
Johnstone, M. and Lee, C. (2008). What is going on in the minds and lives of young Australian women?. ASBHM Scientific Conference: 5th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 31 January–2 February 2008.
Johnstone, Melissa and Lee, Christina (2008). Young Australian Women's Aspirations for Work and Family in the 21st Century. 10th Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne, Australia, 9-11 July 2008.
Newspaper Article
Research Reports
Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR), Johnstone, Melissa , Huang, Yanshu , Austerberry, Sophie , Burger, Sarah-Ann , Nuttall, Gina , Wooden, Deanne , Ogden, Christine and Robinson, Mark (2022). Strategic evaluation of health and wellbeing Queensland's prevention programs: Healthier Tuckshops Program performance measurement report 2, January - June 2022. Brisbane, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland.
Lodge, Jason, Matthews, Kelly, Kubler, Matthias and Johnstone, Melissa (2022). Modes of delivery in higher education: final report. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Kubler, Matthias and Johnstone, Melissa (2022). Appendix B: student enrolment, student experience, labour market outcomes for different modes of study in higher education. Brisbane, QLD Australia: University of Queensland.
Kubler, Matthias, Johnstone, Melissa, Clague, Denise, Lodge, Jason and Matthews, Kelly E. (2022). Stakeholder consultation report for the modes of delivery in higher education project. Appendix C to Modes of delivery in higher education final report. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
Johnstone, Melissa , Huang, Yanshu , Austerberry, Sophie , Loodewijk, Carla , Burger, Sarah-Ann , Wooden, Deanne , Ogden, Christine and Robinson, Mark (2022). Strategic evaluation of health and wellbeing Queensland’s prevention programs: Healthier Tuckshops program — evaluation plan (2022 - 2024). Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research, the University of Queensland.
Huang, Yanshu , Johnstone, Melissa , Austerberry, Sophie , Loodewijk, Carla , Burger, Sarah-Ann and Robinson, Mark (2022). Queensland Country Women’s Association Country Kitchens program – Evaluation Plan (2022-2024). Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland.
Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR), Johnstone, Melissa , Huang, Yanshu , Austerberry, Sophie , Burger, Sarah-Ann , Nuttall, Gina , Wooden, Deanne , Ogden, Christine and Robinson, Mark (2022). Strategic evaluation of health and wellbeing Queensland's prevention programs: Healthier Tuckshops Program performance measurement report 1, July - December 2021. Brisbane, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland.
Johnstone, Melissa, Robinson, Mark, Salom, Caroline, Tomaszewski, Wojtek , Kubler, Matthias, Clague, Denise, Zajac, Tomasz and Povey, Jenny (2021). The Student Equity in Higher Education Evaluation Framework guidance manual. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Robinson, Mark, Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Kubler, Matthias, Johnstone, Melissa, Clague, Denise, Zajac, Tomasz, Povey, Jenny and Salom, Caroline (2021). The Student Equity in Higher Education Evaluation Framework. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Kubler, Matthias, Johnstone, Melissa, McLay, Kate, Clague, Denise and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2021). Consultation report on proposed revisions to the Australian Curriculum: Humanities and Social Sciences. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Johnstone, Melissa, Kubler, Matthias, McLay, Katherine, Clague, Denise and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2021). Consultation report on proposed revisions to the Australian Curriculum: General Capabilities. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
McLay, Katherine, Kubler, Matthias, Clague, Denise, Johnstone, Melissa and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2021). Consultation report on proposed revisions to the Australian Curriculum: Technologies. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Kubler, Matthias, Johnstone, Melissa, McLay, Katherine, Clague, Denise and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2021). Consultation report on proposed revisions to the Australian Curriculum: Science. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Kubler, Matthias, Johnstone, Melissa, McLay, Katherine, Clague, Denise and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2021). Consultation report on proposed revisions to the Australian Curriculum: Arts. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
McLay, Kate, Kubler, Matthias, Johnstone, Melissa, Clague, Denise and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2021). Consultation report on proposed revisions to the Australian Curriculum: English. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
McLay, Katherine, Kubler, Matthias, Johnstone, Melissa, Clague, Denise and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2021). Consultation report on proposed revisions to the Australian Curriculum: Languages. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Kubler, Matthias, McLay, Katherine, Clague, Denise, Johnstone, Melissa and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2021). Consultation report on proposed revisions to the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Johnstone, Melissa, Kubler, Matthias, McLay, Katherine, Clague, Denise and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2021). Consultation report on proposed revisions to the Australian Curriculum: Cross-curriculum Priorities. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Johnstone, Melissa, Kubler, Matthias, McLay, Katherine, Clague, Denise and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2021). Consultation report on proposed revisions to the Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
McDaid, Lisa, Cleary, Anne, Robinson, Mark, Johnstone, Melissa, Curry, Matthew, Ridgway, Tyrone and Western, Mark (2021). Pillar 3 Report: What can be done to maximise educational outcomes for children and young people experiencing disadvantage?. St Lucia, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland - ISSR.
Xiang, N., Perales, F., Johnstone, M. and Tomaszewski, W. (2021). School-level factors improving outcomes for regional, rural and remote students: evidence from two cohort studies. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Kubler, Matthias, Perales, Francisco, Clague, Denise, Xiang, Ning and Johnstone, Melissa (2020). Investigating the effects of cumulative factors of disadvantage: Final report. Brisbane, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Pattinson, Cassandra, Staton, Sally, Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Bayliss, Olivia, Coles, Laetitia and Johnstone, Melissa (2020). Learning through COVID-19: Maximising educational outcomes for Australia’s children and young people experiencing disadvantage - Pillar 1: Technical Supporting Report 3 of 7. The Learning through COVID-19 Study St Lucia, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Coles, Laetitia, Staton, Sally, Pattinson, Cassandra, Zheng, Zhaoxi, Inch, Zeb, Johnstone, Melissa and Thorpe, Karen (2020). Learning through COVID-19: Maximising educational outcomes for Australia’s children and young people experiencing disadvantage - Pillar 1: Technical Supporting Report 2 of 7. St Lucia, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Kubler, Matthias, Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Vaithianathan, Rhema, Western, Mark, Thorpe, Karen and Johnstone, Melissa (2020). The prevalence and geographical distribution of children at risk of educational disadvantage.
Pillar 1: Technical Supporting Report 6. Learning through COVID-19. Maximising educational outcomes for Australia's children and young people experiencing disadvantage.
. Brisbane, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Robinson, Mark, Johnstone, Melissa, Brown, Richard, Kennedy, Elizabeth and Povey, Jenny (2020). Evaluation of the Your Caring Way Program: evaluation framework. Brisbane, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Kubler, Matthias, Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Western, Mark, Johnstone, Melissa and Xiang, Ning (2020). Young Achievers Program - future directions. Brisbane, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Xiang, Ning, Kubler, Matthias, Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Vaithianathan, Rhema, Western, Mark, Staton, Sally, Thorpe, Karen and Johnstone, Melissa (2020). Learning through COVID-19: maximising educational outcomes for Australia’s children and young people experiencing disadvantage - - Pillar 1: Technical Supporting Report 7 of 7. St Lucia, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.