Dr Jacob Keech is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology in the School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University. Dr Keech is the Director of the Stress, Health, and Behaviour Lab, and a member of the Griffith Centre for Mental Health. Dr Keech has over 10 years of experience in conducting applied psychological research. His expertise is in the development and evaluation of intervention programs for reducing the effect of stress on physical and psychological health, and performance. Dr Keech has expertise and experience in conducting stress and wellbeing research in a range of contexts including with police officers, lifeguards, school teachers, flood rescue operators, and students. Dr Keech’s research also applies psychological theory to understanding and changing health behaviours (e.g., alcohol use, sleep hygiene, physical activity, food choices) and risky behaviours (swimming behaviours, driving behaviour during flood events) to improve health and safety.

Dr Keech’s research has been published in leading journals in the field including Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Emotion, and Drug and Alcohol Review. Dr Keech’s research has also been internationally recognised, with his PhD thesis being awarded the European Health Psychology Society Herman Schaalma PhD Award. Dr Keech is an Associate Editor of the journal Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, Section Editor of the journal Stress & Health, and an Editorial Board Member of the journal Psychology & Health. From 2022–2024 Dr Keech was also the Queensland State Chair for the Australian Psychological Society College of Health Psychologists. Dr Keech’s research aligns to the UN Sustainable Development Goals of Good Health and Well Being, and Decent Work and Economic Growth. 

Dr Keech is also a passionate teacher that enjoys engaging students in learning through linking research and theory with real world applications. His teaching has been recognised with a Griffith University Group Learning and Teaching citation awarded at the 2017 Vice Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Awards for commitment to reflective practices to continuously improving his teaching and dedication to supporting the achievement of students in various equity groups.

Dr Keech completed his PhD in the School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University and was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University. Subsequently, Dr Keech was a Lecturer in Psychology and the Program Coordinator for Undergraduate Psychology Programs at the University of the Sunshine Coast. 

CURRENT POSITION

Lecturer in Psychology (2023–current)
School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia

PREVIOUS ACADEMIC POSITIONS

Psychology Undergraduate Program Coordinator (2022–2023)
School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Lecturer in Psychology (2020–2023)
School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Adjunct Lecturer (2020–2023)
School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2019–2020)
Health and Psychology Innovations (HaPI) Research Lab, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia

EDUCATION

PhD (Health Psychology) – conferred October 2019
School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia

Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) – conferred July 2014
School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia

EDITORIAL ROLES

Associate Editor – Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being – 2023–current
Section Editor – Stress and Health – 2021–current
Editorial Board Member – Psychology & Health – 2021–current
Editorial Board Member – Stress and Health – 2020–2021

COMMITTEES

Member-at-Large – Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine (ASBHM) Executive Committee – 2024–current

Scientific Planning Committee Member – Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine (ASBHM) 2026 Conference, Auckland, New Zealand

Local Organising Committee Member – Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine (ASBHM) 2025 Conference, Gold Coast, Australia

School Research Committee Member – School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University – 2024–current

School Research Committee Member (Early Career Representative) – School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, USC – 2021–2022

DPRET Forum Member (Early Career Representative) – Australian Psychological Society Division of Psychological Research, Education and Training (APS DPRET) – 2020–current

State Chair – Queensland – Australian Psychological Society College of Health Psychologists – 2022–2024

Queensland Executive Committee Member – Australian Psychological Society College of Health Psychologists – 2020–2021

AWARDS

2024 – European Health Psychology Society (EHPS) Stan Maes Early Career Award

2021 – European Health Psychology Society (EHPS) Herman Schaalma PhD Award

2017 – Griffith University Group Learning and Teaching Citation