Dr Sandhya Ramrakha

Sandhya is Research Manager for the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Unit, where she manages the assessment phases of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study. Led by Professor Richie Poulton, this world-renowned study focuses on the health, development and wellbeing of a sample of more than 1000 New Zealanders, who have been studied at regular intervals since their birth in 1972-73.

Sandhya joined the Dunedin Study as the lead mental health interviewer during the age-26 assessment phase, providing clinical support for the study members. Her previous career was as Senior Clinical Psychologist in the NSW (Australia) Department of Corrections.

Sandhya used data from the Dunedin Study for her PhD, which focused on the links between mental and sexual health, with specific reference to risky sexual behaviour.

In her keynote to Communities in Control, Sandhya will describe how the Dunedin Study is conducted and present some research highlights, including insights on the impact self-control in early childhood has on later adult life, how to identify vulnerability early in life, and how tackling the effects of childhood disadvantage through early-years support for families and children could benefit all members of a society.