Helen Paterson

Helen Paterson is an Associate Professor in Forensic Psychology at the University of Sydney's School of Psychology, part of the Faculty of Science. In addition, she holds the position of Associate Dean (Community and Culture) within the Faculty of Science, providing strategic leadership to advance community engagement and culture. Paterson obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney, and completed her Masters and PhD at the University of New South Wales, where her doctoral research examined the risks associated with witnesses discussing crimes and the subsequent impact on their memories.

Her academic interests center on the application of social and cognitive psychology to forensic and legal settings. Key areas include eyewitness memory preservation, the influence of co-witness discussions on memory conformity, lie detection techniques, and the effects of traumatic experiences on memory recall, particularly in cases of domestic violence and gaslighting. Paterson's expertise has been recognized through her extensive publication record, with more than 2,582 citations on Google Scholar. Prominent publications encompass 'Co-witnesses, confederates, and conformity: Effects of discussion and delay on eyewitness memory' (Paterson, Kemp, & Forgas, 2009, Psychiatry, Psychology and Law), 'Can a witness report hearsay evidence unintentionally? The effects of discussion on eyewitness memory' (Paterson, Kemp, & McIntyre, 2006, Psychology, Crime & Law), 'The impact of recall timing on the preservation of eyewitness memory' (2022), 'Gaslighting and memory: the effects of partner-led challenges on eyewitness memory' (2025), and 'Illuminating Gaslighting: A Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Review' (2025, Darke, Paterson, et al.). Paterson has received notable honors, including being a finalist for the 2025 Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Excellence in Forensic Science for her research demonstrating how legal systems can better understand memory distortions in domestic violence survivors. She also earned a Vice-Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Achievement. Her contributions extend to teaching forensic psychology units, delivering short courses, and influencing legal practices on witness testimony reliability.

Professional Email: helen.paterson@sydney.edu.au