Prestigious Awards in Psychology

Media Release

2 September, 2009

For immediate release

Attention: Health and Education Reporters

Prestigious Awards in Psychology

The New Zealand Psychological Society (NZPsS) -the premier membership association for psychologists in New Zealand), offers awards for excellence in practice and research related to psychology and social justice issues.

Three prestigious awards have been conferred on this year’s recipients at the New Zealand Psychological Society Conference held in Palmerston North 27-30 August.

Public Interest Award

This award recognises valuable contributions to psychology in the service of the public interest. Recipients of the Award are able to have $500 donated by the New Zealand Psychological Society to the charity of their choice.

This award was jointly conferred on Green Party MP Sue Bradford and Professor Philippa Howden -Chapman from the University of Otago, Wellington School of Medicine. In conferring the awards president Jack Austin said that both recipients had made a huge contribution to New Zealand.

“Sue Bradford has worked tirelessly over the years on behalf of a range of social justice issues. Her determination to proceed with her private member’s bill to repeal Section 59 of the Crimes Act was based on her belief that children should have the same protection from assault as adults. Her commitment to this view remained despite receiving continued personal attacks. Psychology benefits enormously when societal pressures such as poverty and violence that impact on wellness are brought to the publics’ attention and legislation initiated to alleviate those pressures. The work undertaken by Sue in the past 40 years has shown a resolve and dedication to social justice that is truly inspirational and fully deserving Public Service Award”.

Mr Austin said “the Society is also delighted to recognise and honour the work of Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman. She has made a major contribution to the public interest by bringing data-based rigour into serious housing problems in New Zealand, and thus raising awareness of the need for warmer, drier and healthier homes. In doing so she has drawn attention to health and other inequalities. Philippa’s training in psychology and scientific methodology, her skills in meta-analysis, her experience in public health and her work in social contexts have all enabled her to recognise what is important for policy makers. In short, Philippa Howden-Chapman has made an outstanding solution-focussed psychologically-based contribution to a major social problem and thus fully meets the criteria for receipt of the Public Interest Award”.

Sue Bradford has asked as part of the Award that the Society donate $500 to the Child Poverty Action Group Inc and Professor Howden-Chapman has asked that $500 be donated to the Wellington Night Shelter.

Dame Marie Clay Award

The Dame Marie Clay Award was established in 2008 to honour Dame Marie Clay in recognition of her contribution to education and developmental psychology. Marie Clay had a distinguished career spanning 60 years and is known as one of the most distinguished researchers in educational literacy in the world.
The Award recognises valuable contributions to educational and developmental psychology in NZPsS members through original research (researcher) the dissemination of research (teacher) or best practice (exemplary practitioner).

The recipient of the Dame Marie Clay award receives $1000. The Award is jointly funded by the New Zealand Psychological Society and the Marie Clay Literacy Trust.

The award was conferred on Dr Don Brown. Jack Austin President of the NZPsS in presenting the Award said “Dr Don Brown has had a long and distinguished career in educational and developmental psychology as both a practitioner and a university teacher. In addition to academic appointments at Victoria University of Wellington, he has held the positions of Chief Psychologist and then Director of Special Education in the New Zealand Department of Education. Don is especially notable for the way in which he has truly blended theory and research into his own professional practice and teaching. For over 40 years, he has been an inspirational mentor, leader and teacher of educational and developmental psychologists and other special education personnel. He has also been a strong advocate for children’s rights and parental involvement in education”.

Karahipi Tumuaki –President’s Scholarship

The President’s scholarship (of $2000) is awarded to Māori postgraduate students who are active in the Māori community and who are enrolled for a degree requiring a piece of research to fulfil the research requirements of either a Masters or higher level post-graduate degree in psychology. The research must be Maori-centred and related to the betterment of the Māori community.

The Award was jointly made to Melissa Stewart and Pikihuia Pomare.

Jack Austin said “it was a real pleasure to present the President’s Award to two students who are clearly focussing their research on practical approaches to assisting Māori.

Melissa Stewart is studying towards an MA in industrial and organisational psychology. The focus of her research is to develop an occupational stress and wellbeing measure for Māori working in the health sector, based on a Te Whare Tapa Whā Māori model of health and wellbeing.

Pikihuia Pomare is enrolled for a PhD in clinical psychology. Her research aims to investigate Māori perceptions of engaging whānau in a child and adolescent mental health services and to recommend a framework for guiding culturally responsive provision for Māori whānau in these services.

Background to the New Zealand Psychological Society
The New Zealand Psychological Society is the largest professional association for psychologists in New Zealand. It has over 1000 members and subscribers and aims to improve individual and community wellbeing by representing, promoting and advancing the scientific discipline and practice of psychology.

ENDS

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