Associate Professor David Newcombe | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Associate Professor David Newcombe

PhD(Psychopharm) Adelaide, GradCertEd(TerTeach) Flinders, BAPsych(Hons) Flinders, BA(Psych, Biol) Flinders

  • Associate Professor, Psychology
  • School of Health
Email
Telephone
+61 7 5456 5779
Office location
MB-MBA1-1-1.88
Campus
Moreton Bay

Dr David Newcombe joined the discipline of psychology at University of the Sunshine Coast after almost 19 years at the School of Population Health at the University of Auckland where he led teaching and research in addictions. He has had over twenty-five years’ experience working in the public health and addiction sector in New Zealand and Australia. Following his Nursing training David completed degrees in psychology and neuroscience at Flinders University and doctoral studies in psychopharmacology at Adelaide University in South Australia. 

The focus of David's research is at the nexus of psychology and public health and so consequently is multidisciplinary and has significant translational impact. His current projects ranging from evaluating the treatment effectiveness for methamphetamine dependence (NZ Health Research Council (HRC)), estimating the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in youth corrections (NZ HRC), to evaluating novel ways of detecting and managing hazardous alcohol use in older adults in primary care. His ongoing work establishing novel pharmacotherapies (drug treatments) for substance dependence stems from his PhD study evaluating the psychopharmacology of drug treatments for opioid dependence.  He is passionate about working with disadvantaged groups and reducing the stigma and inequity associated with substance use in society.

David has extensive experience in designing and delivering courses especially for clinicians. At the University of Auckland David was awarded a faculty award for Leadership in Teaching. He particularly enjoys teaching students the fundamentals of biological psychology and psychopharmacology, showing how they are related to clinical practice. At the UniSC David contributes to teaching undergraduate physiological psychology and post graduate psychopharmacology.  David is a passionate post graduate research supervisor having supervised over 45 honours, masters and PhD students to completion. 

Professional Memberships
  • Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol & other Drugs (APSAD) 
Awards/Fellowships
  • Member of the NZ Prime Ministers Chief Advisor Expert Panel on Cannabis [https://www.pmcsa.ac.nz/topics/cannabis/], 2023
  • Butland’s Teaching Award for Leadership in Teaching, Faculty Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 2019
  • Distinguished International Scientist Collaboration Award, US National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) International Program 2017
  • Australian Post graduate Award for doctoral studies, Adelaide University, 2007
  • Chancellors commendation for academic excellence in Honours Degree, Flinders University, 1995
  • University Medal, Flinders University 1995
Professional Social Media
Open Researcher and Contributor ID
Research Grants

Grant/project name

Investigators

Funding body and AUD$ value

Year(s)

Focus of research grant

Life with FASD: An effectiveness-Implementatiotn Trial

Chu, J, Gunesden, A.,  Gibbs, A., Brownie, R., McCormak, J., Jiang, Y., Newcombe, D., Wilson, H.

NZ Health Research Council (HRC# 25/1006): NZ $1.4 million

2026-2029

FASD

A community survey of ways to quit cannabis use in recreational cannabis users

Newcombe, D., Walker, N., Bullen, C., Ramalho, R., Laking, G., Parag, V., Nosa, V., Te Ao B

University of Auckland contestable funding round: NZ$49, 512

 

2024-2025

Recreational Cannabis Use

Low Risk Drinking Advice – Evaluation of International evidence and guidance

Towers. A. Esekielu, M., Lyons, A., Newcombe, D., Severinson, C., Ware, F

Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand: NZ$130,000

2023-2025

Alcohol

Evaluation of Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities (ROOC) funded methamphetamine harm initiatives in Hawke’s Bay, NZ.

Newcombe D, Lyons A, Bullen C, Humphrey G., Bullen, C

New Zealand Police – ROOC:

NZ$397,673

2023-2024

Community harm caused by methamphetamine

Te We me Ta Wai - Research into the health and wellbeing and impacts of adverse weather conditions

Laking, G., Caddie, M., Eggleton, K., Tukuitonga, C., McCool J., Paine SJ., Exeter, D., Jull, A., Muthiah, M., Newcombe, D., Sluyter, J., Langridge, F., Satele., Henare, H., Scott, N., Ruka, M

NZ Ministry of Health:

NZ$ 1,031,865

2022-2023

Impact of cyclone Gabriel

The need for FASD intervention: Prevalence and Knowledge in Youth Justice residence

Chu, J., & Newcombe D (Co-PI), Jones, H., Sinclair, G., McGinn, V., Dymus, J., Ngawati, M., McClachlan, A., Bullen, C., Mccormack, J., Parag, V.

NZ Health Research Council (HRC# 22/682);

NZ$ 1.4 million

2023-current

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Consultation for a National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) registry

Chu, J., Newcombe, D., Jaquemard, R., Bullen, C

NZ Health Research Council (HRC# 22/891);

NZ$30,000

 

2023

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

The evaluation of treatment outcomes for methamphetamine dependence in Aotearoa New Zealand

Newcombe D, Armstrong, P., Sheridan, J., Walker, N., Te Ao, B, Ramalho, R., Parag, V., Nosa, V

NZ Health Research Council (HRC# 22/237):

NZ$1.2 million

2023-current

Methamphetamine Treatment

Investigation of services and programmes available in Aotearoa for FASD.

McCormack, J., Chu, J., Henderson, L., Gundersen, A, Newcombe, D., Gibbs, A.

NZ Health Research Council (HRC# 21/1075): NZ$30,000

 

2021

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Establishing strategic research priorities for FASD in Aotearoa through workshops and hui

Chu., J, Dymus., J, McCormack, S, March., D, Newcombe

NZ Health Research Council (HRC# 20/1174): NZ$30,000

 

2020

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

An enhanced screening protocol and training package for at-risk older adult drinkers attending primary care

Newcombe D, McMenamin J, Towers A, White G, Sheridan J.

The New Zealand Health Promotion Agency - Research Investment for Priorities in Alcohol:

NZ$212,000

2018

Older adults drinking

Smart phone delivered CBT for gambling related harm: An RCT

Humphrey G, Rodda S, Chu J, Merkouris S, Dowling N, Bullen C,  Nosa N, Ho E, Parag V, Whittaker R, Newcombe D

NZ HRC  (HRC# 18/237):

NZ$1.2 million

2018

Gambling

Feasibility of a smartphone-based support system for hazardous drinkers- Feasibility study

Walker N, Parag V, Newcombe D, Galea S, Jones R, Dulin P.

Health Research Council of NZ (HRC#17/538):

NZ$187, 416.

 

2017

Alcohol

Scoping a NZ Drug early Warning System

Newcombe, D., Humphrey, G., Sheridan, S

NZ Ministry of Health- medsafe: $NZ35,000

2017

Novel psychoactive substances

A smart-phone based gambling evaluation and technology testing initiative (SPGeTTI): Study 2

Bullen C, Rossen F, Newcombe D, Whittaker R

NZ Ministry of Health:

NZ$388,000

2016

Gambling

No smoker left behind: A trial of adaptive smoking cessation treatment

Bullen C, Galea S, Laking G, Newcombe D, Walker N

Health Research Council of NZ (HRC#16/066):

NZ$1.2 million.

 

2016

Tobacco and mental health

Establishment of an early warning system for psychoactive substances.

Newcombe D, Sheridan J, Walker W

University of Auckland Strategic Research Initiatives Fund: NZ$49,965

2016

Novel psychoactive substances

Alcohol use across the lifespan. Health Promotion Agency: Research Investment for Priorities Alcohol

Newcombe D, Sheridan J, Towers A

The New Zealand Health Promotion Agency - Research Investment for Priorities in Alcohol:

NZ$120,000

2015

Older adults drinking

High-dose, personalised, long term nicotine substitution for alcohol and other drug dependent smokers.

Knight-West O, Newcombe D, (Co-PI) Walker N, Galea S, Bullen C

Project funded by Tobacco Turanga HRC programme: NZ$106, 962

2015

Smoking

Cytisine pharmacokinetics and dose response

Sheridan J, Tingle M, Newcombe D, Walker W

Auckland Medical Research Fund: Grant reference 1115011: $NZ 134, 270

2015

Cytisine

Formal Validation of the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test in Pacific People in New Zealand

Newcombe D, Nosa V

University of Auckland; FMHS Faculty Development Research Fund: NZ$100,000

2010

Substance use screening tool validation 

International coordination of ASSIST Phase III project..

Ali R, Humeniuk R, Newcombe D

World Health Organization: US$32000

1999-2003

Substance use screening tool development

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of LAAM

White J, Newcombe D, Somogyi A

National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (grant number 990586): Aus$112.331

1999

Pharmacology

Research areas

  • substance use/addiction
  • behavioural interventions for substance use
  • pharmacotherapeutic interventions for substance use
  • older adults and substance use

Teaching areas

  • PSY202 Physiological Psychology
  • PSY754 Clinical Health Psychology and Psychopharmacology

Associate Professor David Newcombe's specialist areas of knowledge include substance use, alcohol , illicit drugs

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Nanine Stewart walking down an undercover walkway with her students at Coolum High
Nanine Stewart's journey back to high school is a full circle
3 Sep 2025

In a full circle moment, Nanine Stewart has found herself teaching at the high school she went to – and she's loving every minute of it!

Fuelling dreams: Moreton Bay City backs UniSC students with $1.1 million towards their futures
2 Sep 2025

City of Moreton Bay will continue its Scholarship and Bursaries Program with the University of the Sunshine Coast, taking its investment in supporting UniSC’s Moreton Bay students to $1.1 million since the program was introduced six years ago

Bonnie Mclean
When life unexpectedly changed course, Bonnie found her true calling
2 Sep 2025

Bonnie McLean has just graduated with a UniSC Communication Degree when a cancer diagnosis derailed her life – and ultimately became the catalyst for a new career path

Calissa, with long blonde hair and black button-up top is pictured through a bookshelf
Calissa’s romantic affair with creative writing
9 Sep 2025

UniSC student and emerging author Calissa Baylow is turning her passion for romance and fantasy into a career through creative writing, publishing studies, and building her own online book community

dingo walking across beach, sand dunes in distance
Uniting knowledge and culture to protect K’gari’s future
27 Aug 2025

A UniSC symposium will share insights and strengthen partnerships to help shape the future of K’gari, one of Australia’s most iconic World Heritage-listed landscapes. 

Shelly on stage between two presenters accepting her award at the Queensland Law Society Awards
UniSC Law alum Shelly Brown named Queensland’s top graduate lawyer
27 Aug 2025

Queensland Law Society has honoured UniSC Law alum Shelly Brown as Graduate Lawyer of the Year, highlighting her legal achievements and published research on coercive control reforms in Australia

Scale-up dream: $1 million ‘Ultimate HQ’ prize for visionary business
26 Aug 2025

A bold new initiative is offering one innovative business the chance to secure their very own Ultimate HQ, rent free for five years, in booming South East Queensland

Beyond technology: why people hold the key to productivity
26 Aug 2025

While technology drives innovation, true productivity gains depend on people says UniSC's Professor Mark Loon

Image of UniSC campus building with logo
UniSC welcomes national code, prepares gender-based violence prevention taskforce
26 Aug 2025

UniSC today welcomes the introduction of a new national code to further empower safety across Australian campus communities

Dr Lochlan Fennell, Senior Lecturer and Cancer Researcher at SCHI
Queensland cancer research: UniSC’s collaborative approach to a growing health crisis
25 Aug 2025

By the time they reach age 85, one in every two people in Queensland will be diagnosed with some form of cancer, and that’s why UniSC has formed a Cancer Researcher Cluster to bring together leading researchers dedicated to advancing our understanding of cancer

Taylah Jensen in the studio holding a microphone stand, wearing headphones
Walking to her own beat – how Taylah J is carving out a name for herself in hip hop
10 Sep 2025

Up-and-coming rapper Taylah J is pouring her personal struggles into music, becoming the first in her family to attend university in the process as she builds her career in hip hop

Eating disorder symptoms in teens can be traced back to family hardship, new study shows
27 Aug 2025

Children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds are at greater risk of developing eating disorder symptoms, challenging the myth that these conditions only affect the affluent

Matthew Hill with Paramedicine students in a simulation setting
From saving lives to shaping them: Matt’s Paramedicine journey comes full circle
25 Aug 2025

Matt Hill always knew he wanted to help people.

aged care nurse providing care to elderly man
New funding for UniSC to deliver 550 aged care specialist nurses
22 Aug 2025

The University of the Sunshine Coast has received $2.2 million from the Australian Government to deliver 550 more specialist aged care nurses to rural and regional areas by 2027.