Dianna is a PhD candidate at ACACIA: The ACT Consumer and Carer Mental Health Research Unit. She studied at ANU and obtained an undergraduate Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in psychology and sociology. She also has three postgraduate degrees, A Master of Health Studies (addiction), from University of Queensland, a Masters of Adult Education from University of Technology, Sydney; and a Graduate Diploma of Counselling from the University of Canberra.

Prior to commencing her PhD, she worked in the ACT Community Mental Health Sector for nearly eight years including working as the Manager of the ACT Recovery College trial, which ran between 10 April 2019 and 30 June 2021 when funding ended. A Recovery College is a safe place to learn about mental health, recovery and wellbeing. It seeks to bring together the strengths and expertise of the community mental health sector, the adult education sector, and the government sector.  Dianna’s research will examine the effects of participation in Recovery Colleges can have on mental health recovery.