Justin Kenardy is a clinical psychologist and Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Queensland, Australia.  He is a leader in the understanding and response to psychosocial distress in children following trauma. He has repeatedly demonstrated the short and long-term psychosocial impact of trauma on children and has focused on understanding and developing interventions for children experiencing psychosocial distress. He has also pioneered risk assessment and early intervention strategies for children exposed to trauma through controlled trials in early intervention. 

Following the major bushfire and flood disasters in Victoria and Queensland Kenardy was commissioned to develop a program for teachers to acquire knowledge and skill in the management of trauma in schools. The resulting set of resources and training package was delivered post-disaster into multiple communities and schools across Australia initially under the auspices of the Queensland, Government and later on Red Cross Australia.  It has been revised and expanded as a phase-based program through the Emerging Mind Program.