Dr Jack Brett
Award for Excellent PhD Thesis in Psychology

Dr Jack Brett completed his PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Western Australia in 2024, driven by a question that challenged a long-standing stereotype: Autistic individuals lack empathy? His thesis explored this question and created practical tools for clinicians. Jack developed the Perth Empathy Scale—the first measure to capture empathy across positive and negative emotions—and uncovered a nuanced understanding of empathy in autism, shifting how researchers and practitioners understand social connection.

His research has contributed to a clearer understanding of empathy and emotional processes in autism, with findings published in leading international journals and informing clinical practice worldwide. The Perth Empathy Scale has been widely accessed and translated into multiple languages, supporting its use in both research and applied settings. These developments have helped move the field toward more accurate assessment and a strengths-based perspective on neurodiversity.

Jack now works as a Clinical Neuropsychology Registrar while continuing research that bridges science and practice. His current projects focus on improving assessment and intervention for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, ensuring that families receive timely, tailored support. Jack’s goal is simple yet ambitious: to prevent chronic mental health difficulties by understanding and supporting children’s emotional development.