Dr. Gavin Hazel is an established figure in the fields of mental health and education, currently serving as the Lecturer at Macquarie School of Education. He is dedicated to raising awareness about social and emotional wellbeing among children and young people and translating research evidence into practical applications. Dr. Hazel has led several Commonwealth and State initiatives aimed at supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young Australians.

Before his current position, Dr. Hazel made significant contributions as the Everymind Program Manager, Mental Health and Research, where he focused on mental health projects and research initiatives. His academic journey is marked by a conjoint appointment with the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Newcastle, Research Academic in the Justice Policy Research Centre at the University of Newcastle, Senior Research Scientist in the Defence Science and Technology Organization, and Post Doctoral Research Fellow in the School of Psychological Sciences at Macquarie University, highlighting his commitment to multidisciplinary research.

Gavin's expertise includes managing multidisciplinary teams, developing ethics submissions, conducting complex analyses, and leading strategic project initiatives. He holds a PhD from the University of Newcastle and has contributed significantly to the fields of mental health and educational research, securing over $6.5 million in funding for various projects. His work emphasizes collaborative research, stakeholder engagement, and the translation of research into practice, aiming to improve mental health outcomes across diverse communities.

Dr. Hazel's primary research is on the intersections of sociology, psychology, and philosophy within education. His work explores meaningful knowledge sharing, understanding, and application, particularly through metacognitive skills in the humanities, mental health promotion, and the psycho-social aspects of stress in educational settings. His research interests span across children and young people, mental health and illness, interventions, and the influence of various settings such as workplaces, mental health services, education, and communities on mental health outcomes.

With a rich background as a lecturer, research academic, senior research scientist, and mental health projects manager, Dr. Hazel's expertise is invaluable in shaping the future of mental health and education in Australia and beyond.