Psychology research seminar — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student wellbeing

Presented by Dr Bep Uink, Research Fellow at Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre, Murdoch University
Hosted by Dr Helen Davis

Friday 18 October, 12:30 pm – 1: 30 pm

Abstract

Consistent with national trends, Murdoch University is seeing increases in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enrolments, particularly among female students. Participation in higher education can be a transformative and empowering experience for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (Hill, Woods & Winmar, 2018). This presentation will outline the activities of the Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre which support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student success, present findings from research run by the Centre into student wellbeing and highlight opportunities for cross-discipline collaboration. The presentation will detail findings from a recent Student as Change Agents of Learning and Teaching (SCALT) project investigating approaches to ‘Indigenising’ the psychology curriculum. Several concrete recommendations came from this project including processes for engaging Aboriginal students in tutorial discussions, representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content in lecture materials, and tutor training. Findings also provide insight into the experiences of Aboriginal students on campus. Additionally, the presentation will provide an overview of findings from a recent project investigating enablers of Aboriginal women’s persistence at university, and from a project investigating health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ Western Australians. Findings offer ways forward for staff looking to ‘Indigenise’ their curriculum and insights into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing.

Biography

Dr Bep Uink (MAppPsy(Clinical), Ph.D) is Research Fellow at Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre, Murdoch University. Her research agenda focuses on articulating how socially determined disadvantage impacts the health and wellbeing of young people, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous and how social systems (e.g. higher education) can support peoples’ wellbeing. Her doctoral work investigated adolescents’ emotional dynamics in the context of daily stress. Following her doctoral studies, she co-led a national research survey on Australians’ smartphone use and the impact on family dynamics, and this led to the foundation of the ModernLife study, where she is currently a founding board member. She is currently an investigator on an NHMRC funded research grant examining the social and emotional wellbeing of Indigenous young people who are LGBTQA+. She also helps lead and implement the Kulbardi Aboriginal Centres’ research agenda, mentors students, and is involved in several projects evaluating the efficacy of the Centre in supporting Indigenous students’ persistence in higher education.

Registration

To register your attendance, please email l.vo@murdoch.edu.au.