
Claudette Pretorius
she/her
Assistant Professor
claudette.pretorius1@ucd.ie
Research Areas
Digital Mental Health
Large Language Models in relation to online help-seeking
research inspiration
My inspiration for pursuing research in digital mental health stems from my experiences working with young people in various settings. Witnessing their resilience and resourcefulness in navigating mental health challenges, often within constrained systems, has driven me to explore how technology can better support their needs. I am particularly motivated by the potential of technology to bridge gaps in access, foster meaningful connections, and provide tailored support in ways traditional approaches may not. Through my work, I aim to create tools and systems that are not only effective but also genuinely supportive, trustworthy, and engaging. My goal is to ensure these technologies align with young people’s lived experiences, respecting their autonomy, privacy, and diverse needs. Ultimately, I hope to contribute to a more inclusive and accessible digital mental health landscape that empowers young people to seek and receive the help they need.
I am an Assistant Professor in the School of Computer Science, specialising in digital mental health. With a background in Psychology and Counselling Psychology, I have worked extensively with young people across diverse settings, including higher education institutions and non-profit organisations. Their resilience and tenacity have been an important source of inspiration for my research into online help-seeking. Adopting a qualitative approach, my work emphasises understanding the human needs that drive the design of technology to support mental health.
featured publications
KEY HIGHLIGHT
Spunout
Design guidelines informed the design of Spunout reader journeys as well as the design of their new online signposting tool.