Dr Michelle Nicolls
BSSc(Psych) (Hons), PhD
Research Associate
Email: mochenas@usc.edu.au
Location: Sunshine Coast, Room D1.15
Michelle has previously explored the impact of social media content on driving behaviours, with her current research examining road safety rule compliance and behaviour change. Michelle has recently completed her PhD focussing on social norms and how they impact younger drivers' engagement in hand-held phone use while driving.
Research
Publications
Recent Publications
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Nicolls, M., Truelove, V. & Stefanidis, K. (2025). Investigating perspectives towards online content that promotes road safety: A qualitative study across three age groups. Journal of Safety Research, 92, 133-141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2024.11.018
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Truelove, V., Nicolls, M., Oviedo-Trespalacios, O. (2025). “I probably feel slightly more invincible”: The impact of technology that discloses enforcement locations on drivers’ behaviours. Safety Science, 181, 106707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2024.106707
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Nicolls, M., Truelove, V., Mulgrew, K., & Stefanidis, K. (2024). Does exposure to online content encouraging illegal driving influence behaviour? Exploring perspectives of different age groups. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 205, 154-162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2024.07.004
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Nicolls, M., Truelove, V., & Stefanidis, K. (2024). How do perceptions of others’ approval of, and engagement in, hand-held phone use influence young drivers? A mixed-method study. Safety Science, 176, 106546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2024.106546
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Watson-Brown, N., Nicolls, M., Mardani, A., Fernandes, I., & Truelove, V. (2024). A qualitative study of the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns: The impact on alcohol consumption and driving behaviours. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 104, 449-460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2024.06.016
Professional
Awards and memberships
Awards
- MAIC/UniSC Road Safety Research Collaboration PhD Scholarship