Karina Tirsvad Rune

Biography

Dr Karina Rune is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology in the School of Health at UniSC and a Clinical Psychologist with a practice focus on trauma, chronic pain, and personality disorders. She holds a PhD and Master of Psychology (Clinical) from UniSC, where she also completed her Honours in Psychology. She also holds a Master of Arts in Arabic and Middle Eastern History from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Dr Rune’s research explores the intersection of clinical psychology and health, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for individuals experiencing complex trauma, PTSD, persistent pain, and cancer. Her current work examines the role of early maladaptive schemas in the experience of chronic pain, and sexual health and quality of life among cancer survivors. She is also engaged in investigating behavioural change mechanisms in public health contexts, and contributes to emerging research in environmental psychology, including eco-anxiety and psychological resilience in response to climate stressors.

She is a member of the UniSC Cancer Research Group, collaborating with cancer support organisations and the Adem Crosby Cancer Centre at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital to improve psycho-social outcomes for cancer patients and their carers.

Dr Rune’s research has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals, and she regularly presents at national and international conferences such as the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) and the European Health Psychology Society (EHPS).

A passionate educator, Dr Rune is committed to connecting psychological theory and research with real-world practice. She draws extensively on her clinical experiences to enhance student learning. Her contributions to teaching have been recognised with a UniSC Advancing Quality Teaching Award (2016) and multiple nominations for Advancing the Student Experience and Advancing Quality Teaching.

Potential research projects for HDR and Honours students

Dr Rune welcomes expressions of interest from prospective Honours and Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students with an interest in applied clinical psychology, psycho-oncology, health behaviour, and environmental psychology. Projects are grounded in theory-driven, real-world research with strong translational value, and many involve interdisciplinary or community health collaborations.

Clinical Psychology and Chronic Pain

• The role of early maladaptive schemas in the experience and management of chronic pain (e.g., endometriosis, fibromyalgia)
• Schema-informed interventions for psychological distress in chronic pain populations

2. Environmental Psychology

• Eco-anxiety and psychological adaptation in response to climate change
• The impact of youth-led or peer-to-peer advocacy on environmental attitudes and mental health
• Empowerment and sustainable behaviour: exploring the role of recycling and local action

3. Psycho-oncology

• Sexual quality of life and intimacy in cancer survivors and their partners
• Access to psycho-social support for rural and regional cancer patients
• The influence of health literacy on cancer treatment engagement and survivorship outcomes

Expert Media Commentary

Dr Karina Rune's specialist areas of knowledge include psycho-oncology, environmental psychology, and health psychology (e.g., vaccine hesitancy, panic buying).

Research Grants

• 2024: Financial toxicity in rural cancer survivors: Co-design of a holistic support strategy and implementation framework. Investigators: Katherina Merollini, Hattie Wright, Karina Rune, Grace Rose, Bloomhill Cancer Care, Cancer Council Queensland. AUD $30,000 – LAUNCH UniSC
• 2023: Enhancing the role of digital health literacy to ensure healthy lives and well-being for Australian cancer survivors. Investigators: Cindy Davis, Hattie Wright, Jacob Keech, Karina Rune. AUD $17,569 – CONNECT (UniSC Internal Funding Scheme)
• 2023: Improving self-management behaviours of prostate cancer survivors: building capacity in regional Queensland. Investigators: Dr Hattie Wright, Prof Cindy Davis, Dr Jacob Keech, A/Prof Suzanne Broadbent, Dr Karina Rune. UniSC DVC(R) Launch Scheme – $26,755. 2022-2023.
• 2021-2022: The effects of climate risk exposure on development and wellbeing among youth in the Pacific Small Island States: a narrative review and research agendation. Investigators: Ogunbode, C., Nunn, P., Bhuller, N., Tiko, L., Nunn, R., Maebuta, J., & Rune, K. British Academy: Humanities and Social Sciences Tackling Global Challenges, UK£35,545. 2019.
• 2019: Provide support for the embedding of a flipped classroom model into first year Introduction to Psychology A and B courses. Investigators: Rune, K., Eckley, D., & Miller, P. First Year Experience Grant UniSC, $4,000. 2019
• 2017-2019: Reducing pain-related attention biases and improving mental health and well-being in Defence personnel. Investigators: White, M. J.,Mulgrew, K.E.,Young, R., Douglas, C., Kannis-Dymand, L., & Rune, K. Awarded October 2015 by Defence Health Foundation, $49,331

Membership of Professional Societies and Organisations

• 2025–Present – Member, Psycho-oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG)
• 2025–Present – Member, International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST)
• 2022–Present – Member, Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA)
• 2020–Present – Member, Australasian Society of Behavioural Health and Medicine (ASBHM)
• 2019–Present – Member, Australian Psychological Society (MAPS)
• 2019–Present – Member, APS College of Clinical Psychologists (CCP)
• 2019–Present – Affiliate Member, APS College of Health Psychologists (CHP)
• 2019–Present – Registered Practitioner, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

Committees and Advisory Roles

• 2025–Present – Secretary, APS College of Clinical Psychologists (Queensland)
• 2023–2024 – Student Committee Member, APS College of Clinical Psychologists (Queensland)
• 2023–Present – Member, Psychology External Advisory Committee, UniSC
• 2022-2024 - Sunshine Beach State High School, School Committee
• 2021–2023 – Member, Learning and Teaching Committee, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, UniSC