Who we are

Myles Young, PhD

Myles Young is an Associate Professor of Men's Health at the University of Newcastle and Founder of the Good Talk Lab. His research sits at the intersection of physical and mental health, with a particular focus on developing and testing interventions that work for men, a group that is consistently underserved by mainstream health services.

Over the past 15 years, Myles has built a nationally recognised men's health research program, developing approaches like walk-and-talk therapy, podcast-based interventions, and self-directed online programs that aim to reach men who may never walk through a clinic door. He has secured over $8 million in competitive research funding and his work has been recognised with national awards including the BUPA Emerging Health Researcher of the Year and the AMP Tomorrow Maker. In 2025, he received the Hunter Medical Research Institute Director's Award for Mid-Career Research Excellence.

Beyond research, Myles is a nationally recognised educator committed to training the next generation of researchers who can make a genuine difference in men's health.

Meet the Team

  • Casey Regan, PhD

    Research Fellow

    Casey Regan is a Research Associate in the School of Science (Psychology) at the University of Newcastle, with a background in health psychology and the integration of mental and physical health care. Casey brings expertise in implementation science and behaviour change to the Good Talk Lab, where she is the lead post-doctoral researcher on the MRFF-funded men’s therapy trial.

    Her broader research interests include men's health, paternal perinatal support, and innovative models of mental health care.

  • Elliot Waters

    Lived/Living Experience Partner

    Elliot Waters brings lived experience of mental ill health to the Good Talk Lab as a consumer advisor, ensuring our research stays grounded in the realities of the people we aim to support. Beyond the lab, he serves on the Lived Experience Advisory Board at Everymind Institute, volunteers as a presenter with the Black Dog Institute across New South Wales, and hosts The Dysregulated Podcast — a platform for honest conversations about living with mental illness.

    Recognising his advocacy and national influence, Elliot recieved the University of Newcastle’s Young Alumni Award for 2025.

  • Elizabeth Dascombe

    PhD Student

    Elizabeth Dascombe is a PhD candidate in the School of Science (Psychology) at the University of Newcastle. Her doctoral research explores the use of podcasts as a tool for men's mental health promotion, culminating in the development and pilot trial of the Better Left Said podcast that brings together research expertise, clinical perspectives, and lived experience.

    Liz's work sits at the intersection of health behaviour change, digital health, and men's mental health.

  • Andi Dickmeyer

    PhD Student

    Andi Dickmeyer is a registered Clinical Psychologist and PhD candidate in the School of Science (Psychology) at the University of Newcastle. Her Master's thesis (a randomised pilot trial comparing walk-and-talk therapy with conventional indoor therapy for men with low mood) laid critical groundwork for the lab's larger trial.

    Andi's broader clinical and research interests centre on integrating evidence-based psychological interventions with nature connection, spanning ecotherapy, adventure therapy, forest bathing, and outdoor therapeutic practice.

  • Rob O'Hara

    PhD Student

    Rob O'Hara is a psychologist and PhD candidate in the School of Science (Psychology) at the University of Newcastle whose work is driven by a commitment to making mental health support more accessible and meaningful for the people who need it most.

    Rob has a particular interest in how traditional masculinity norms shape men's engagement with mental health services, and brings this lens to his doctoral research and clinical work alongside broader interests in lifestyle-based approaches to mental health — including surf therapy — and improving mental health literacy in the general community.

  • Elena Williams

    PhD Student

    Elena Williams is a PhD candidate in the School of Science (Psychology) at the University of Newcastle, investigating the use of strength training to improve mental health outcomes for men experiencing mental health difficulties.

    Elena’s research reflects her broader interests in health psychology, men's mental health, and lifestyle-based interventions.

Lab Alumni

  • Ryan Drew, PhD

    Ryan Drew completed his PhD in 2020. His thesis investigated a gender-tailored digital health program for men with depression and obesity.

    Ryan is now a Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle's School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and a close collaborator of the Good Talk Lab.

  • Elliot Waters

    James Knox completed his PhD with the Good Talk Lab in 2025, investigating online approaches for supporting men with depression and lifestyle-related health concerns. His doctoral work was recognised with the University of Newcastle's Judy Kennedy Scholarship in Mental Health Research.

    James is now a practicing Clinical Psychologist and remains an active collaborator with the lab.