Rate My Professor Jason Connor

Professor Jason Connor is a Professor of Clinical and Health Psychology in the Discipline of Psychiatry at the University of Queensland, serving as Founding Director of the National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research (2008–2014, 2017–present). A clinical psychologist by training and Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society with specialist memberships in its Health and Clinical Colleges, he holds a Bachelor of Arts from Central Queensland University, a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology Honours) from Charles Sturt University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology from the University of Queensland (2002), obtained via a National Health and Medical Research Council doctoral scholarship for research into substance use disorders. Connor transitioned from full-time clinical practice to academia, where he has combined teaching—for which he won an Australian award for excellence in university teaching—with research leadership. He maintains a clinical appointment with Queensland Health, providing ongoing clinical services.

Connor's research focuses on substance use disorders, including assessment and treatment, genetic markers of alcohol and nicotine dependence, measurement of alcohol craving, novel psychological models of problem drinking, and prevention of youth substance abuse. He has authored over 350 peer-reviewed journal papers, books, and book chapters, with key publications including "Cannabis use and cannabis use disorders" (Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 2021), "Clinical Management of Cannabis Withdrawal" (Addiction, 2022), "Alcohol Use Disorders" (Lancet, 2016), and "Thresholds for safer alcohol use might need lowering" (Lancet, 2018). As Chief Investigator, he has secured more than $25 million in research funding and currently leads $4.6 million in Category 1 external grants. His honors include the NHMRC Career Development Fellowship (2012–2017), Australian Psychological Society Early Career Research Award, and APS Health College Award of Distinction. Connor consults for the World Health Organization on substance use and is a member of the Australian Federal Government’s Alcohol & Drug Centres of Excellence Strategic Reference Group, contributing to evidence-based policy.