Beginning his career in behavioural neuroscience Tom has since shifted his academic interests from the brain to the mind. He is particularly interested in a cluster of virtues which contribute to a cognitive architecture that is evolutionarily consistent and socially relevant.

Tom has published in high impact factor journals and spoken at a number of international conferences. With collaborators his initial academic work revealed unanticipated mechanisms through which a key brain signalling molecule, nitric oxide, acts. In time this may have benefit for those suffering with dementia. More recently, Tom and a colleague had the unique distinction of having their virtue-focused work favourably mentioned in the Commonwealth Parliament.

With his third book is in press Tom has also published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles. Being interested in how virtue shapes people’s lives Tom publishes at the intersection of multiple disciplines but anchors his scholarly work in biology. He has also published in the professional counselling literature and on pedagogy (i.e., Transformative Learning).

One of Tom’s passions is high quality teaching. By imparting knowledge, skills, and a little wisdom, a teacher can influence lives well beyond the classroom. His teaching breadth covers key aspects of the psychological curriculum, includes research methods and statistics, and extends into counselling. His teaching has also received peer recognition and resulted in an excellence award.

Interestingly, Tom has also been a panel guest on ABC RN’s God Forbid discussing the virtue of forgiveness.

As to professional and community engagement Tom sees a limited number of clients, supervises counsellors and PhD students, reviews manuscripts for international journals, consults with industry on using virtues to enhance organisational goals, and is the Board Chair of the Christian Research Association.

University Appointments

Director of Counselling Programs (Australian Lutheran College)
HDR Supervisor (Whitley College)

External Affiliations

• Christian Research Association (Board Chair)
• Australian Counselling Association (Member (level 4))
• Australian Counselling Association College of Supervisors (Member)
• ISCAST (Member)