Assoc Prof Nikki Rickard - Researcher Profile

Nikki Rickard

Address

School of Psychology and Psychiatry
Building 13D, Level 5, Room 10

Contact Details

Tel: +61 3 990 32221

Email: Nikki.Rickard@monash.edu


Biography

Nikki works in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences at Monash University as an Associate Professor.

Associate Professor Rickard's research investigates how music provides a  powerful tool for manipulating affective states to achieve greater insight into the neurobiological foundations of emotion processes.  She evaluaties novel interventions (music and otherwise) aimed at promoting improvements in emotional competence, social-emotional learning, cognitive functioning, and well-being, particularly in young people and those at-risk.

Nikki's current research in affective neuroscience explores the plasticity of emotional processes which underlie mental health and well-being. The Emotion and Well-Being Unit, which she co-directs, investigates whether interventions that are claimed to enhance emotion regulation achieve persistent changes in affective state, as measured by a multi-level profile of subjective and objective measures.

One of the challenges in experimental work in this area has been to manipulate and induce strong affective states in an externally valid way. Music is widely recognized as a powerful source of a variety of intense emotions, and is increasingly being lauded for its role in this type of research. Associate Professor Rickard’s research has utilized music to modulate emotion processing and regulation in an effort to improve cognitive functioning and psychological well-being. She is internationally recognized for her research on the emotional and cognitive benefits of engaging in a range of music activities, from music training to active listening. She recently completed a large scale ARC-funded project investigating the psychosocial benefits of intensive music education for schoolchildren in rural regions.

Associate Professor Rickard has taught Psychology at a tertiary level for over 15 years, and currently coordinates undergraduate units on "Psychology of Music" and "Research Methods & Theory". Her continued aim is to use music as an externally valid means of inducing and manipulating affective states to achieve greater insight into the neurobiological foundations of emotion processes and well-being.

Rickard’s track record includes over 50 peer-reviewed publications in international journals and book chapters, 36 conference abstracts and over $426,000 in grant funding. She is currently the Secretary of the Australian Music & Psychology Society (AMPS), a member of the Society for Education, Music and Psychology Research (SEMPRE) and the Society for Music Perception & Cognition (SMPC). A/Prof Rickard is Co-Editor-in-Chief of the new Springer Open Access journal "Psychology of Well-Being: Theory, Research & Practice" to be launched in 2011. She is Co-Director of the Emotion and Well-Being Unit in the School of Psychology & Psychiatry at Monash University.

Related Links:

Research & Supervision Interests

    Affective Neuroscience

    Social Emotional Learning Interventions

    Music Psychology

Keywords

Emotional processes and well being, Music engagement, Neurobiological and behavioural measures

Qualifications

PHD (PSYCHOLOGY)
Institution: La Trobe University
Year awarded: 1995
BACHELOR OF BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES (HONOURS
Institution: La Trobe University
Year awarded: 1990

Publications

Book Chapters

Rickard, N.S., 2012, Music listening and emotional well-being, in Lifelong Engagement with Music, eds Nikki S Rickard and Katrina McFerran, de Sitter, USA, pp. 207-238.

Velik, L., Rickard, N.S., 2010, A novel approach to memory neuromodulation using music: A literature review, in Neuroscience Research Advances, eds Benito Figueredo and Fidel Melendez, Nova Publishers, New York, USA, pp. 89-107.

Carr, S., Rickard, N., 2010, Facilitatory effects of memory: A review of the potential role of emotional arousal, in Learning and Memory Developments and Intellectual Disabilities, eds Lucas C. Eklund and Aron. S. Nyman, Nova Publishers, Inc, New York, USA, pp. 173-187.

Journal Articles

Rickard, N.S., Bambrick, C.J., Gill, A., 2012, Absence of widespread psychosocial and cognitive effects of school-based music instruction in 10 - 13-year-old students, International Journal Of Music Education [P], vol 30, issue 1, Sage Publications Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 57-78.

Tesoriero, M.J., Rickard, N.S., 2012, Music-enhanced recall: an effect of mood congruence, emotion arousal or emotion function?, Musicae Scientiae [P], vol 16, issue 3, Sage Publications Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 340-356.

Rickard, N.S., Appelman, P., James, R., Murphy, F.P., Gill, A., Bambrick, C.J., 2012, Orchestrating life skills: the effect of increased school-based music classes on children's social competence and self-esteem, International Journal Of Music Education [P], Sage Publications Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 1-18.

Rickard, N.S., Wong, W.W.Y., Velik, L.S., 2012, Relaxing music counters heightened consolidtion of emotional memory, Neurobiology Of Learning And Memory [P], vol 97, issue 2, Academic Press, United States, pp. 220-228.

Chin, T.C., Rickard, N.S., 2012, The music use (MUSE) questionnaire: An instrument to measure engagement in music, Music Perception [P], vol 29, issue 4, University of California Press * Journals Division, United States, pp. 429-446.

Vella-Brodrick, D., Rickard, N., 2011, Editorial, Psychology of Well-Being: Theory, Research and Practice [E], vol 1, SpringerOpen, Germany, pp. 1-3.

Murphy, F., Rickard, N., Gill, A., Grimmett, H., 2011, Informing new string programmes: lessons learned from an Australian experience, British Journal of Music Education [P], vol 28, issue 3, Cambridge University Press, UK, pp. 285-300.

Baker, K., Edwards, T., Rickard, N., 2011, Pharmacobehavioural evidence for nitric oxide and noradrenaline interactions with ryanodine receptors during memory formation in the young chick, Behavioral Neuroscience [P], vol 125, issue 2, American Psychological Association, USA, pp. 175-183.

Baker, K.D., Edwards, T.M., Rickard, N.S., 2010, A ryanodine receptor agonist promotes the consolidation of long-term memory in young chicks, Behavioural Brain Research [P], vol 206, issue 1, Elsevier BV, Netherlands, pp. 143-146.

Rickard, N., Vasquez, J., Murphy, F., Gill, A., Toukhsati, S., 2010, Benefits of a classroom based instrumental music program on verbal memory of primary school children: A longitudinal study, Australian Journal of Music Education [P], vol 2010, issue 1, Australian Society for Music Education, Australia, pp. 36-47.

Baker, K., Edwards, T., Rickard, N.S., 2010, Blocking SK channels impairs long-term memory formation in young chicks, Behavioural Brain Research [P], vol 216, issue 1, Elsevier BV, Netherlands, pp. 458-462.

Chin, T., Rickard, N., 2010, Nonperformance, as well as performance, based music engagement predicts verbal recall, Music Perception [P], vol 27, issue 3, University of California Press, USA, pp. 197-208.

Judde, S., Rickard, N., 2010, The effect of post-learning presentation of music on long-term word-list retention, Neurobiology Of Learning And Memory [P], vol 94, issue 1, Academic Press, USA, pp. 13-20.

Grimmett, H.L., Rickard, N.S., Gill, A., Murphy, F.P., 2010, The perilous path from proposal to practice: A qualitative program evaluation of a regional music program, Australian Journal of Music Education [P], vol 2010(2), Australian Society for Music Education, Australia, pp. 52-65.

Grimmett, H., Rickard, N., Gillard, A., Murphy, F., 2010, The perilous path from proposal to practice: A qualitative program evaluation of a regional music program, Australian Journal of Music Education [P], vol 2, Australian Society for Music Education, Australia, pp. 52-65.

Rickard, N.S., 2009, Defining the rhythmicity of memory-enhancing acoustic stimuli in the young domestic chick (Gallus gallus), Journal of Comparative Psychology [P], vol 123, issue 2, American Psychological Association, USA, pp. 217-221.

Baker, K.D., Edwards, T.M., Rickard, N.S., 2008, Inhibition of mGluR1 and IP3Rs impairs long-term memory formation in young chicks, Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, vol 90, issue 1, Academic Press, USA, pp. 269-274.

Anderson, H.K., Rickard, N.S., 2007, A preliminary examination of short-term effects of an active class-based music program on young adolescents' self-esteem and anger expression, Australian Journal of Music Education, vol 2007, issue 1, Australian Society for Music Education, Australia, pp. 4-16.

Field, S., Rickard, N.S., Toukhsati, S.R., Gibbs, M.E., 2007, Maternal hen calls modulate memory formation in the day-old chick: The role of noradrenaline, Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, vol 88, Academic Press Inc Elsevier Science, USA, pp. 321-330.

Edwards, T.M., Rickard, N.S., 2007, New perspectives on the mechanisms through which nitric oxide may affect learning and memory processes, Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, vol 31, issue 3, Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd, Oxford England, pp. 413-425.

Gill, A., Murphy, F.P., Rickard, N.S., 2006, A preliminary examination of the roles of perceived control, cortisol and perceptions of anxiety in music performance, Australian Journal of Music Education, vol 0, issue 1, The Australian Society for Music Education, Parkville Vic Australia, pp. 32-47.

Edwards, T.M., Rickard, N.S., 2006, Pharmaco-behavioural evidence indicating a complex role for ryanodine receptor calcium release channels in memory processing for a passive avoidance task, Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, vol 86, issue 1, Academic Press Inc Elsevier Science, San Diego USA, pp. 1-8.

Rickard, N.S., Toukhsati, S.R., Field, S.E., 2005, The effect of music on cognitive performance: insight from neurobiological and animal studies, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Reviews, vol 4, issue 4, Sage Publications, Inc., USA, pp. 235-261.

Toukhsati, S.R., Field, S., Rickard, N.S., 2005, The memory-enhancing effects of exposure to rhythmic maternal hen calls following passive avoidance training in the day-old chick (Gallus gallus domesticus), Australian Journal of Psychology, vol 57, Australian Psychological Soc, Carlton Vic Australia, p. 75.

Edwards, T.M., Rickard, N.S., 2004, A scavenger of peroxynitrite prevents long-term memory formation using a single trial passive avoidance task for the day-old chick, Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, vol 83, issue 2, Elsevier, San Diego USA, pp. 163-167.

Jakupi, J.R., Rickard, N.S., 2004, Evidence of a time-dependent long-term stage of memory for a spatial learning task in the chick (Gallus gallus), Behavioral Neuroscience, vol 118, issue 3, American Psychological Association, Washington USA, pp. 569-574.

Rickard, N.S., 2004, Intense emotional responses to music: A test of the physiological arousal hypothesis, Psychology of Music, vol 32, issue 4, SAGE Publications Ltd, UK, pp. 371-388.

Toukhsati, S.R., Rickard, N.S., Perini, E., Ng, K.T., Gibbs, M.E., 2004, Noradrenaline involvement in the memory-enhancing effects of exposure to a complex rhythm stimulus following discriminated passive avoidance training in the young chick, Behavioural Brain Research, vol 159, issue 1, Elsevier, Amsterdam The Netherlands, pp. 105-111.

Smith, A.J., Rickard, N.S., 2004, Prediction of music performance anxiety via personality and trait anxiety in young musicians, Australian Journal of Music Education, vol 1, Australian Society for Music Education Incorporated, Australia, pp. 3-12.

Ritossa, D.A., Rickard, N.S., 2004, The relative utility of 'pleasantness' and 'liking' dimensions in predicting the emotions expressed by music, Psychology of Music, vol 32, issue 1, SAGE Publications, UK, pp. 5-22.

Toukhsati, S.R., Rickard, N.S., 2004, Variations in intensity and frequency moderate the facilitative effects of a complex rhythm stimulus on long-term memory consolidation in the day-old chick (Gallus gallus), Journal of Comparative Psychology, vol 18, issue 1, American Psychological Association, Washington USA, pp. 65-70.

Rickard, N.S., Gibbs, M.E., 2003, Effects of nitric oxide inhibition on avoidance learning in the chick are lateralized and localized, Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, vol 79, issue 3, Academic Press Inc Elsevier Science, San Diego USA, pp. 252-256.

Rickard, N.S., Gibbs, M.E., 2003, Effects of nitric oxide inhibition on avoidance learning in the chick are lateralized and localized, Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, vol 79, issue 3, Academic Press Inc., Elsevier Science, San Diego USA, pp. 252-256.

Rickard, N.S., Gibbs, M.E., 2003, Hemispheric dissociation of the involvement of NOS isoforms in memory for discriminated avoidance in the chick, Learning and Memory, vol 10, issue 5, Cold Spring Harbour Lab Press, Woodbury USA, pp. 314-318.

Edwards, T.M., Rickard, N.S., Ng, K.T., 2002, Inhibition of guanylate cyclase and protein kinase G impairs retention for the passive avoidance task in the day-old chick, Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, vol 77, issue 3, Elsevier, USA, pp. 313-326.

Edwards, T.M., Rickard, N.S., 2002, Inhibition of mono-adPribosylation prevents long-tem memory consolidation of a single-trial passive avoidance task in the day-old chick, Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, vol 78, Elsevier Science, USA, pp. 192-198.

Rickard, N.S., Kowadlo, N., Gibbs, M.E., 2001, Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract, EGb 761, on memory formation in day-old chicks, Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, vol 69, issue 3-4, Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd, Oxford England, pp. 351-358.

Toukhsati, S., Rickard, N.S., 2001, Exposure to a rhythmic auditory stimulus facilitates memory formation for the passive avoidance task in the day-old chick, Journal of Comparative Psychology, vol 115, issue 2, American Psychological Association, USA, pp. 132-139.

Knight, W.E., Rickard, N.S., 2001, Relaxing music prevents stress-induced increases in subjective anxiety, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate in healthy males and females, Journal of Music Therapy, vol 38, issue 4, National Association of Music Therapy, USA, pp. 254-272.

Rickard, N.S., Gibbs, M.E., Ng, K.T., 1999, Inhibition of the endothelial isoform of nitric oxide synthase impairs long-term memory formation in the chick, Learning & Memory, vol 6, Cold Spring Harbor Lab Press, Plainview NY USA, pp. 458-466.

Rickard, N.S., Ng, K.T., Gibbs, M.E., 1998, Further support for nitric oxide-dependent memory processing in the day-old chick, Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, vol 69, Academic Press, San Diego USA, pp. 79-86.

Conference Proceedings

Chin, T., Rickard, N., 2010, The Music USE (MUSE) Questionnaire: An instrument to measure engagement in music, Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Music Perception and Cognition, 23/08/2010-27/08/2010, ICMPC11, Washington, USA, pp. 1-4.

Carr, S., Rickard, N., 2010, The influence of music on memory for images, Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Music Perception and Cognition, 23/08/2010-27/08/2010, ICMPC11, Washington, USA, pp. 1-4.

Judde, S., Rickard, N., 2010, The influence of music-induced emotion on long-term word list retention, Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Music Perception and Cognition, 23/08/2010-27/08/2010, ICMPC11, Washington, USA, p. 200.

Williams, S., Toukhsati, S.R., Rickard, N.S., 2006, A comparison of the effects of music and physical exercise on spatial-temporal performance in adolescent males, 9th International Conference on Music Perception and Cognition 6th Triennial Conference of the European Society for the Cognitive Sciences of Music, 22 August 2006 - 26 August 2006, Bononia University Press, Bologna, p. 135.

Toukhsati, S.R., Field, S., Rickard, N.S., 2005, The memory-enhancing effects of exposure to rhythmic maternal hen calls following passive avoidance training in the day-old chick (Gallua gallus domesticus), Australian Journal of Psychology: Combined Abstracts of 2005 Australian Psychology Conferences, 1 April 2005 - 4 April 2005, Taylor & Francis Ltd, UK, p. 75.

Rickard, N.S., Gibbs, M.E., Ng, K.T., 1999, Inhibition of endothelial nitric oxide synthase prevents long-term memory formation, Proceedings of the Australian Neuroscience Society, Hobart TAS 31 January - 3 February 1999, Australian Neuroscience Society, Canberra ACT Australia, p. 93.

Edwards, T.M., Rickard, N.S., Ng, K.T., 1999, monoADP-ribosyl transferase inhibition prevents maintenance of long-term memory in the day-old chick, Proceedings of the Australian Neuroscience Society, Hobart TAS 31 January - 3 February 1999, Australian Neuroscience Society, Canberra ACT Australia, p. 202.

Edwards, T.M., Rickard, N.S., Ng, K.T., 1998, Guanylyl cyclase inhibition prevents maintenance of long-term memory in the day-old chick, Proceedings of the Australian Neuroscience Society, Canberra ACT 27-30 January 1998, Australian Neuroscience Society, Canberra ACT Australia, p. 196.

Edwards, T.M., Rickard, N.S., Ng, K.T., 1998, Two distinct roles for nitric oxide in memory formation in the day-old chick, Nitric Oxide Biology and Chemistry: Official Journal of the Nitric Oxide Society, Los Angeles USA 11-15 July 1998, Academic Press, Orlando FL USA, p. 80.

Teaching Commitment

Coodinator for the following units:

PSY3062 Research Methods and Theory

PSY3240 Psychology of Music

Activities

Editorships of academic journals

Co-Editor-in-Chief
2011 - current
Psychology of Well-Being: Theory, Research and Practice

Professional engagement

Secretary
2011 - current
Australian Music & Psychology Society

Grants

Title:
1) International Behavioural Neuroscience Soceity Conference, San Diego, Usa 2) Research Visit in Usa.
Investigators:
Rickard, N
Funding:
(1997 - 1997). Monash University.
Title:
Biochemical characterization of nitric oxide activity during memory processing in the day-old chick.
Investigators:
Rickard, N
Funding:
(1997 - 2001). Australian Research Council (ARC).
Title:
Can engaging in music activities promote psychological functioning?.
Investigators:
Rickard, N
Funding:
(2008 - 2012). Monash University.
Title:
Ethovision video tracking software.
Investigators:
Broadbear, J, Redman, J, Rickard, N, Edwards, T
Funding:
(2007 - 2011). Collier Charitable Fund.
Title:
Evaluation of musical, academic and psychosocial benefits of implementing a high quality music education program in schools.
Investigators:
Rickard, N
Funding:
(2005 - 2009). CASS Foundation Limited.
Title:
Implementation and Evaluation of an Intensive Music Education Program for Schoolchildren.
Investigators:
Rickard, N, Murphy, F, Moore, D
Funding:
(2006 - 2010). Australian Research Council (ARC).
(2006 - 2010). Castlemaine Secondary College.
(2008 - 2012). Australian Research Council (ARC).
Title:
Lateralization and Identification of Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity Following Passive Avoidance Learning In the Neonate Chick.
Investigators:
Rickard, N
Funding:
(2000 - 2004). Australian Research Council (ARC).
Title:
Multilevel evaluation of youth-led well-being programs for young people.
Investigators:
Vella-Brodrick, D, Rickard, N
Funding:
(2011 - 2015). Reach Foundation.
Title:
Nexus-10.
Investigators:
Rickard, N, Vella-Brodrick, D
Funding:
(2009 - 2013). Collier Charitable Fund.

Postgraduate Research Supervisions

Current Supervision

Program of Study:
(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).
Thesis Title:
Cross-cultural differences in the use of emotion regulation strategies and their relationships with depression in children and adolescents..
Supervisors:
Gullone, E (Joint), Rickard, N (Joint-co).
Program of Study:
(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).
Thesis Title:
Emotion regulation through personal music listening in adolescence and young adulthood..
Supervisors:
Rickard, N (Main), Vella-Brodrick, D (Associate).
Program of Study:
(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).
Thesis Title:
How music helps tertiary students to manage their stress.
Supervisors:
Rickard, N (Joint), Southcott, J (Joint-co).
Program of Study:
(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).
Thesis Title:
Music-based rehabilitative programs for TBI/ABI populations.
Supervisors:
Rickard, N (Main).
Program of Study:
(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).
Thesis Title:
Temporally sensitive assessment of responsiveness in emotion experience.
Supervisors:
Rickard, N (Main), Vella-Brodrick, D (Associate).
Program of Study:
(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).
Thesis Title:
The Effect of Sustained Group Singing on Individual Preparedness for Moments of Insight.
Supervisors:
Rickard, N (Main), Vella-Brodrick, D (Associate).
Program of Study:
(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).
Thesis Title:
What Influences Parents' Intentions to Seek Help for Young Children's Mental Health Problems..
Supervisors:
Rickard, N (Main).

Completed Supervision

Student:
Baker, K.
Program of Study:
Distinct roles for the ryanodine and IP3 receptor intracelullar calcium release channels in memory formation using a single-trial discrimination avoidance task for young chicks. (PHD) 2011.
Supervisors:
Edwards, T (Joint-Co), Rickard, N (Joint).
Student:
Edwards, T.
Program of Study:
NITRIC OXIDE-ACTIVATED MECHANISM UNDERLYING MEMORY FORMATION USING A PASSIVE AVOIDANCE TASK FOR THE DAY-OLD CHICK. (PHD) 2002.
Supervisors:
Rickard, N (Main), Ng, K (Associate).
Student:
Toukhsati, S.
Program of Study:
THE LONG-TERM MEMORY-ENHANCING EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO A COMPLEX RHYTHM STIMULUS IN THE YOUNG CHICK FOLLOWING PASSIVE AVOIDANCE TRAINING. (PHD) 2003.
Supervisors:
Rickard, N (Main), Ng, K (Joint).