[Commpsych] FW: defining what makes community psychology special

Thu Mar 20 08:42:57 WST 2008

Dear Julie Ann,

Thank you for your timely reminder! Those of us with a long involvement in the trials and tribulations of community psychology in Australia could be forgiven for allowing emotion to rule for a while!  However... your comments regarding the values, principles and practices of community psychology are well made. We must walk the talk even in the hurly burly (with apologies to Ken Gergen for nicking this lovely phrase from one of his most enjoyable papers) of change in the structure and function of our much loved discipline.

You may be aware that I will be filling the extra large shoes (metaphorically speaking Grace of course!!) of the incumbent Chair of the National Committee of the College of Community Psychologists for the next few months.  During that time there will be crucial negotiations with the Board of the APS regarding the future of the College. Clearly, you and your colleagues at ECU have a stake in the outcome of those negotiations.  For my part I am sure that my negotiating position on behalf of the College would be immeasureably stengthened by a clear and accurate understanding of the current situation at ECU. 

So.. I extend to you and your colleagues an invitation to join the National Committee during the next scheduled teleconference to discuss not only the current situation regarding postgraduate training at ECU but your thoughts on the future of community psychology in Australia. If possible and if you agree I would also like to host a morning / afternoon / evening tea (read wine!) with College members in Western Australia for the same purpose.

Thanks again for your thoughts.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Hope this finds you well.

Cheers,

Neil

Professor Neil Drew PhD
Dean
School of Arts and Sciences
The Univerity of Notre Dame
19 Mouat St (PO Box 1225)
FREMANTLE WA 6160

Tel:     + 61 8 9433 0103
Fax:    + 61 8 9433 6073
Email:  ndrew1 at nd.edu.au 

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-----Original Message-----
From: commpsych-bounces at lists.curtin.edu.au [mailto:commpsych-bounces at lists.curtin.edu.au] On Behalf Of Julie Ann POOLEY
Sent: Wednesday, 19 March 2008 7:51 PM
To: Heather Gridley; commpsych
Subject: Re: [Commpsych] FW: defining what makes community psychology special

I feel I must reply to this letter.  I must say I am intrigued that the way in which change is being constructed.  I would have thought that a field like community psychology is aware of the process of social change and the political nature of the processes that surround it.  

The construction of change as one of closure is interesting and yet I am so aware of so many conversations about change in ECU's course structures and processes and yet very few people have actually talked about it with us at ECU.  

Is everything that changes automatically negative? I would have thought that community psychologists more than anyone  would understand the value of observation, political action and thought, looking at strengths and competence, adaptation, and resilience. It is not the first time we have been challenged ( and it will not be the last). Our challenge is about how we react and how we construct our future.  I can honestly say that I am looking forward to the training of our future community psychologists at ECU.  There will be an evolution, as we have been from our forefathers and foremothers. Does this make them worse, I think not. It makes them different. However those in the position of training them are in a privileged role as they have the ability to bring 40 years of research, knowledge and passion to a great sub discipline.

The other part of all of this is that while we are lamenting these internal changes, we as psychologists are losing ground.  We are losing out to other disciplines and we are not keeping our political eye on the ball.  So what, some might say? So what indeed. If we are truly interested in the values we espouse then we should be across the changes in the mental health field generally. We should be adapting and embracing and defining our new future and future students.

Julie Ann Pooley PhD

Senior Lecturer

Coordinator for Community Psychology Stream

School of Psychology and Social Science

Edith Cowan University (CRICOS code: 00279B)

100 Joondalup Dve

Joondalup

WA 6027

Tel: +61 8 6304 5591

Fax: +61 8 6304 5834

Email: j.pooley at ecu.edu.au <mailto:j.pooley at ecu.edu.au> 

http://www.psychology.ecu.edu.au/people/pooley_j.php <https://staffmail.ecu.edu.au/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.psychology.ecu.edu.au/people/pooley_j.php> 

________________________________

From: commpsych-bounces at lists.curtin.edu.au on behalf of Heather Gridley
Sent: Tue 18/03/2008 3:48 PM
To: commpsych
Subject: [Commpsych] FW: defining what makes community psychology special

From: Helen Sowey
Sent: Tuesday, 18 March 2008 1:29 PM
To: commpsych at lists.curtin.edu.au
Subject: defining what makes community psychology special

Dear all,

Greetings from Sydney... where heads turn westwards towards Melbourne and Perth, where community psychology is booming.... or so it used to seem.  

I have just been reflecting upon the news of the closure of the WA community psychology course, and more generally about the challenges the College of Community Psychology currently appears to be facing (the December issue of Links described these in some detail).

I am psychologist working in community-based health promotion, while doing my masters in public health.  I feel a strong affinity for community psychology, and it saddens me to see it struggle.  I do feel it has something unique to offer.... but I have been grappling with the task of articulating exactly what this "something" is.  I would like to be able to define not only what unique contributions community psychologists can make in relation to other psychologists, but also what unique contributions community psychologists can make in relation to other community workers.

I feel that if we could articulate what makes community psychology special, then we could definitely strengthen the case for preserving it!  

While I have not maintained strong links with the APS, I have become more involved in the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA).  As those in the health promotion field are now placing more and more emphasis on the social determinants of health, communities are coming more and more into the spotlight.   Perhaps AHPA might be able to assist in resourcing community psychology in some way?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts,

With kind regards,

Helen

Helen Sowey

Senior Project Officer

Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre (DAMEC)

tel (02) 9699 3552

mob 0431 701 225

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