Decolonising tertiary psychology education in Australia: Processes, challenges, and opportunities of curricula change

Belle Selkirk; Joanna Alexi; Chontel Gibson; Rachel Fishlock; Pat Dudgeon

doi:10.55146/ajie.v54i1.1067

Authors

Belle Selkirk School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9048-2282
Joanna Alexi School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia
Chontel Gibson School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia and Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9783-1489
Rachel Fishlock Gayaa Dhuwi Proud Spirit Australia
Pat Dudgeon School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2799-5709

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55146/ajie.v54i1.1067

Keywords:

decolonising psychology education, cultural responsiveness and cultural safety, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Indigenous mental health and social and emotional wellbeing

Abstract

Australian psychology higher education and training has historically excluded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ knowledge systems which has profoundly shaped the discipline, including its cultural responsiveness. Decolonising psychology education offers a systemic approach to improve education and practice, and, in turn, the cultural responsiveness of psychology. Decolonising psychology higher education has become a focal point to support transformational change. The present research investigated how higher education providers (HEPs) are decolonising psychology education in Australia. An Aboriginal Participatory Action Research approach was used to design, implement and evaluate the research. Eighteen representatives of psychology HEPs completed a short, open-ended survey. Findings were thematically analysed via qualitative content analysis. Results highlighted 11 interconnecting themes ranging from effective policies to adequate resourcing. The results demonstrated the need for ongoing Indigenous leadership, resourcing and systemic changes that value Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing to support efforts in decolonising psychology education.

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Author Biographies

Belle Selkirk, School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia

Belle Selkirk is a Noongar woman living and working on Wadandi Noongar Boodja, an experienced clinical psychologist with a strong focus on culturally informed care and decolonising practices, and a research fellow with the School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Western Australia focusing on Indigenous psychology and social and emotional wellbeing

Joanna Alexi, School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia

Dr Joanna Alexi has Cypriot heritage, was born and raised in Larrakia Country, and is now living and working on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja. Joanna is a research fellow at the University of Western Australia, where she has been working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in research over the past three years, with an emphasis on social and emotional wellbeing, education, and decolonising praxis.

Chontel Gibson, School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia and Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA)

Dr Chontel Gibson is a Gamilaraay woman who is a research fellow with the School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Western Australia and Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA). Chontel has over 20 years of experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, with expertise in working with older people and supporting culturally responsive service delivery. Chontel is an occupational therapist and has led initiatives in her profession to support the inclusion of Indigenous health curricula in occupational therapy programs.

Rachel Fishlock, Gayaa Dhuwi Proud Spirit Australia

Rachel Fishlock is a proud descendant of the Yuin Nation and is the Chief Executive Officer of Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia. Rachel has more than a decade of experience in the health sector and works to achieve the highest attainable standards of social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Pat Dudgeon, School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia

Professor Pat Dudgeon AM is from the Bardi people of the Kimberley. Pat specialises in Indigenous psychology, mental health and education, and is recognised as being among the leading world experts on social and emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention. Pat is a professor in the School of Indigenous Studies, chief investigator of the Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing research project, and the director of the national Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention at the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health at the University of Western Australia.

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