Efforts to decolonise psychology education: Reflections from the AIPEP Community of Practice

This symposium was held at the Ausplat conference in September 2023. The symposium comprised four presentations that outlined work undertaken by AIPEP Community of Practice members.

First, a research study on what registered psychologists perceive as gaps in their tertiary education regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing and being was presented (Darnett). This was followed by a case study on effecting cultural change at the disciplinary and institutional levels (Nicholson Perry).

The third presentation described a co-design process for decolonising curricula in a 4th-year psychology course (Mackelprang, Orr, et al.). Lastly, members of the APAC Cultural Responsiveness Working Group described its process of developing the recently published Annexure to Standard 3.8 (cultural responsiveness in curriculum), and how educators can use the Annexure to guide their teaching/program design (Ohan et al.).

This symposium will be useful for educators who are keen to engage in decolonising and Indigenising work at their higher education providers. 

Co-facilitators of the symposium:

• Dr Joanna Alexi, on behalf of AIPEP (PhD), Research Fellow, School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia
• Dr Catherine Orr (MPsych (Clinical Neuropsychology)/PhD), Lecturer, Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology

Presenters (in order):

• Ms Emily Darnett, BA(PsychSci), GDip(PsychSci), MPsych (Clinical) and PhD Candidate, Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology "Psychologist Perspectives: Decolonising Psychological Practice and Curriculum"
• Professor Kathryn Nicholson Perry, (MSc (Clinical Psychology), PhD), Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching), Australian College Of Applied Psychology, now working as Dean, ISN Psychology "Changing disciplinary and institutional cultures: A case study"
• Dr Jessica L. Mackelprang (PhD Clinical Psychology), Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology Dr Catherine Orr (MPsych (Clinical Neuropsychology)/PhD), Lecturer, Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology "An initiative to codesign decolonised content in a 4th-year psychology course"
• Associate Professor Jeneva Ohan (PhD Clinical Psychology), Associate Professor, Director of Clinical Psychology Programs, School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia Dr Joanna Alexi, on behalf of AIPEP (PhD), Research Fellow, School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia "Cultural Responsiveness: Annexure to the APAC Evidence Guide on Standard 3, Criterion 3.8"

The session was sponsored by APAC, which acknowledges the cooperation of the APS Psychology Education Interest Group in making this edited recording available.

Dr Mackelprang's presentation is here.