A psychology academic at Charles Sturt University (CSU) has been awarded a prestigious teaching award by the peak national professional association, the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

 

Ms Judith Gullifer, lecturer at the CSU School of Psychology in Bathurst, has been named as a co-recipient of the APS’s 2010 Early Career Teaching Award.

 

“I love my work and delight in passing to my students’ skills and insights that will equip them for careers assisting others,” Ms Gullifer said. “Receiving this award from the APS was recognition of the highest order from my professional body.”

 

The APS Early Career Teaching Award ‘encourages developing teachers in the early stages of their career in Australian universities who show potential for excellence and is intended to recognise candidates whose skill and commitment to teaching in psychology, and promotion of student learning, places them significantly ahead of their peers’.

 

Ms Gullifer has previously been awarded the CSU Faculty of Arts teaching award, and the CSU Vice-Chancellor’s 2010 Award for Teaching Excellence.

 

The Head of the CSU School of Psychology, Associate Professor Michael Kiernan, said, “Judith has made an outstanding contribution to teaching in the School of Psychology at Charles Sturt University where we have a particular focus on providing education for the professions in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia. The APS Early Career Teaching Award is recognition of Judith’s strong commitment to rural and regional Australia and the skill and care that she brings to her teaching, and in particular, the contribution that psychology can make to improving the lives of people living in rural areas.”

 

In 2006 the Australian Government introduced Medicare items for psychological treatment by registered psychologists to enable affordable access to psychological services for people living with mental health problems. Ms Gullifer says that consequently, the availability of a skilled workforce to meet the needs of people living with mental health problems is critical.

 

“The task of training future psychologists to meet the mental health needs of Australians, and in particular rural Australians, is not only essential but very rewarding. To be recognised by the APS for my teaching skill and commitment to training psychologists is very exciting,” she said.

 

Ms Gullifer was an industry-trained professional counsellor for six years before coming to CSU, and counselling is her speciality. She has taught at CSU for five years, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students, and supervises Honours and postgraduate diploma students. She is also studying for a PhD which explores ‘student perceptions of plagiarism’.