Committee Information
APS Interest Groups support members with special interests, assist communication between members interested in similar fields and advise the APS on issues related to their area of interest. Interest Group membership is open to all APS members and Interest group committee members are volunteer roles.
Below are details of the current committee and vacancies. If you are interested in joining the committee, click here to complete an expression of interest/nomination form to be considered. Please feel free to contact Interest Group committee members or APS Member Groups ([email protected]) with any queries or suggestions about the engagement for members of this Interest Group around Australia.
Convener
Dr Tanya Machin
Tanya is an Associate Professor in Psychology and Counselling at the University of Southern Queensland. Her research interests lie in social media and technology across the lifespan. She is also the Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching) for the Academic Affairs Portfolio at UniSQ.
Secretary
Dr Karen Marangio
Karen Marangio is a Lecturer at School of Curriculum, Teaching, and Inclusive Education, Monash University, with specialisations in psychology education and teacher professional learning. Karen aims to raise the profile of teachers and teaching of psychology in schools. Her research interests include: psychology curriculum; teaching psychological science in integrated ways to explore its value, complexity and relevance within our society, and ultimately, support a more equitable and sustainable future.
Karen has extensive experience coordinating units including psychology education in Initial Teacher Education programs; teaching psychology in schools across a range of Australian and international settings; chairing curriculum and examination panels for curriculum authorities; and has co-authored a wide range of materials for psychology teachers and students.
Treasurer
Prof Tony Machin
Professor Emeritus Tony Machin’s contribution to psychology education in Australia is extensive and includes developing psychology education programs, assisting with accreditation and quality assurance of psychology education programs, and advancing the status of psychology education in Australia.
He is a former Head of the USQ School of Psychology and Counselling (2008-2018), Treasurer of the Heads of Departments and Schools of Psychology Association (HODSPA Inc) (2008-2018), and he also served on the APS Division of Psychological Research, Education and Training Forum from 2014-2019.
Tony is also the recipient of the 2021 APS Major Award for Distinguished Contribution to Psychological Education. The APS Awards make up the most prestigious group of awards recognising achievement in the field of Psychology in Australia, and this award was presented in recognition of Tony’s outstanding contribution to the education of psychologists over an extended period in Australia.
Committee Member
Assoc Prof Jacquelyn Cranney
Committee Member
Dr Melissa Davis
Melissa has worked as an academic in psychology for more than 20 years, teaching primarily into postgraduate training programs in Clinical and Professional psychology, as well as at Honours and undergraduate level, and supervising Honours, Masters and HDR research.
Committee Member
Dr Elissa Pearson-Reed
Elissa Pearson is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at UniSA and the Program Director for the Bachelor of Psychology offered through UniSA Online. She has >10 years experience teaching psychology and has coordinated courses across the breadth of the undergraduate curriculum, as well as supporting curriculum renewal projects and leading new course and program development. Elissa was the recipient of the 2016 APS Early Career Teaching Award.
Having previously served as the Associate Dean: Online Education, she has a particular interest in high-quality and engaging online teaching and learning and making psychology education more accessible. Other areas of interest include enhancing the professional identity and employability of psychology undergraduates; and drawing on her background in conservation psychology, exploring how psychological literacy can be applied to contemporary environmental challenges; and how student well-being can be supported through connecting and working with nature
Student Representative
Dr Susan Abel
Phone: 0424861264
Susan's research interests lie in digital technology use and impact across the lifespan. She has more recently focused on early career researchers through interdisciplinary research collaborations. In addition to her academic work, Susan is a board member for the Massim Cultural Foundation in PNG and supports the Massim Musem.