Incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, culture and theory into the study of psychology is essential to counter the mono-cultural nature of the profession and to boost the number of Indigenous psychologists in Australia, according to early findings of a collaborative research project.
Associate Professor Dawn Darlaston-Jones, Coordinator of the Behavioural Science program at The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, is part of a collaborative research project which received a $350,000 grant from the Australian Government’s Office of Learning and Teaching in 2013.
The aim of the research is to investigate Indigenous participation levels in psychology and how this figure could grow through improved graduate outcomes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness.
The project team, led by Professor Pat Dudgeon (The University of Western Australia), includes Associate Professor Jacky Cranney (University of New South Wales); Associate Professor Judi Homewood (Macquarie University); Professor Jeannie Herbert and Dr Jill Harris (Charles Sturt University); and Professor Sabine Hammond from the Australian Psychological Society.
“Our priority is to have more Aboriginal psychologists, but we also need to train non-Indigenous students to work in a culturally safe, respectful and appropriate manner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, which isn’t happening at the moment from a psychology perspective,” Associate Professor Darlaston-Jones said.
“We want to identify barriers that prevent or hinder participation and then try to develop sustainable solutions to improve Indigenous outcomes in psychology. This includes teaching in a way that is culturally appropriate for students and engaging with Indigenous Elders and community leaders as partners in the learning journey.”
Psychology educators and professionals have supported the research, with many recognising the need to improve educational support and outcomes for students, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, studying psychology and other behavioural science disciplines.
Associate Professor Darlaston-Jones says fostering strong relationships between educators, students and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is the key to witnessing Indigenous success at university.
“I would like to see the development of a peer mentoring and leadership network to train and support non-Indigenous educators to understand the importance of this initiative and how to achieve these outcomes,” Associate Professor Darlaston-Jones said.
“I hope that through this research, non-Indigenous psychologists are more able to meet the needs of Aboriginal clients who will more fully understand the important role of culture in healing.
“Notre Dame’s Behavioural Science degree, founded on the principles of social justice, is a trans-disciplinary social science course that takes a deliberate approach to education. Our graduates know their role in the post-colonial space and how to work in meaningful partnerships with others to create a better society.”
The research is due for completion in 2017.