Klaire Somoray

Dr Klaire Somoray (she/they) is a lecturer in the School of Psychology at the College of Healthcare Sciences. They completed their PhD in 2019 at Queensland University of Technology, within the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety Queensland (CARRS-Q; now called MAIC-QUT).

Since joining JCU, Dr Somoray has built an interdisciplinary program of research at the intersection of psychology, technology (including AI, big data, and social media), and digital wellbeing. Their program of research can also be described as belonging within the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) or Cyberpsychology.  Their work is guided by a strong equity lens, with particular attention to how digital systems shape (and are shaped by) broader social structures. Dr Somoray is especially interested in how technology impacts marginalised communities (including racialised and LGBTQ+ populations) and how digital tools can be leveraged for culturally responsive, community-driven interventions that maximise benefits and minimise harms.

Dr Somoray's work has attracted a growing media interest (e.g., ABC News) with an invitation for the 2024 World Science Festival. They also have engaged in cross-sector collaborations, including partnerships with various NGOs and community groups. Dr Somoray's publication records include 30+ research outputs and ~$70k+ of research funding. 

Their recent projects include:

• The role of deepfakes and synthetic media in public trust,
• Ethical and critical integration of GenAI in higher education, and
  
• Simulation tools to support clinical training.

Research Groups/Collaborations: Dr Somoray is a founding member of the JCU Digital Wellbeing Group, an interdisciplinary research consortium dedicated to bridging the gap between technological advancement and community health, wellbeing, safety, and connection. Dr Somoray also has ongoing collaborations with academics from CARRSQ/MAIC-QUT. 

Teaching and Coordination: Dr Somoray is currently the Thesis Coordinator for the Fourth Year Programs in the School of Psychology (Honours and Graduate Diploma). Their main areas of teaching include research methods, statistics, and pre-professional practice, with a focus on preparing students for advanced study and professional pathways. They also have a keen interest in digitally-enabled education and are an emerging expert in the use of GenAI in higher education. They won the inaugural DVCE GenAI in the Curriculum Awards in 2025. 

Prospective Research Students: Dr Somoray would like to work with motivated and self-driven students interested in topics relating to HCI, Cyberpsychology, and/or digital wellbeing. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of their research, students with backgrounds outside of psychology (e.g., computer science and engineering) are encouraged to reach out. However, more than technical ability, the ideal HDR candidate is someone who demonstrates a growth mindset, is open to learning and reflective. Dr Somoray work best with students who are intellectually curious, proactive in seeking feedback, and committed to developing as both a researcher and a socially responsible scholar. If interested, please email your CV, information about prior research experience (if available). A list of currently available projects is provided below the section titled Projects.