Louise Thornton is an Associate Professor working across the University of Newcastle and the University of Sydney. She is Director of Research & Strategy in the Mental Health Innovation Team and Program Director of the Leggett Precision Hub for Alcohol Treatment at the University of Newcastle and Program Lead for Digital Interventions and Engagement at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney

She leads a program of research to identify and understand the most effective ways digital technologies can be leveraged to reduce chronic disease risk and improve people’s mental health. Her research primarily focusses on adolescents and young people, and people experiencing mental health problems.

Associate Professor Thornton also leads a program of science communication and research that promotes the research to a global audience.

Associate Professor Thornton is the NSW representative on the executive committee for the Society for Mental Health Research (Australia’s peak body for mental health research) and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Society for Research on Internet Interventions between 2022-2025.