Psychology and Ageing
About Us
The APS Psychology and Ageing Interest Group is one of many specialty interest groups to which psychologists who are members of the Australian Psychological Society belong. The Psychology of Ageing Interest group is currently the seventh largest of these interest groups.
Nationally, the Psychology and Ageing Interest Group is dedicated to furthering clinical knowledge, research agendas, teaching and learning initiatives and public policy relating to older adults in Australia. It acts as a mechanism for psychologists all over Australia to stay linked with colleagues who share similar clinical, teaching and research interests. In addition, the group is committed to increasing the quality and availability of training opportunities in geropsychology, for students as well as established practitioners and researchers.
The Psychology and Ageing Interest Group also operates at State level here in Australia, seeking to bring together psychologists with an interest in ageing and endeavouring to serve as a source of information on ageing issues for local professionals and the wider community within each State. Contact your local State groups for information regarding regular meetings, guest speakers and any special local events of interest (see Member Resources, State Information for details of your local group).
Terms of Reference
1. To develop a network of psychologists throughout Australia who are interested in research, teaching and learning, and professional practice in the field of gerontology, and to provide professional support to this network by:
- Exchanging information about relevant conferences, seminars and workshops
- Exchanging information about developments in research, teaching and learning and professional practice in the field of ageing
- Offering professional development opportunities
These networking activities are met by production of a newsletter for members, at least two meetings per year in each state; and a symposium at the national APS conference. Members can also join a nationwide e-list and be kept updated on national and international events, conferences, scientific information and clinical issues relating to older adults.
2. To be active in expanding psychologists' roles in the field of ageing in Australia by:
- Publishing psychologists' work in relevant professional meetings (e.g., of Australian Association of Gerontology, Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Society etc.)
- Campaigning to increase employment prospects for Psychologists interested in working with older adults
- Campaigning to increase relevant course content in undergraduate and postgraduate courses
- Encouraging research in the psychology of ageing in Australia.
Major Activities
Throughout the year, the Ageing Interest Group is involved in a number of activities. These include the Annual National APS Conference, our own biennial National Psychology and Ageing Interest Group Conference, and sponsorship of the Elsie Harwood Prize for best 4th-year or coursework Master's student research project on ageing. We also help support a student member to attend an ageing conference nationally and internationally though the Ed Helmes Student Travel Award. Active also at the regional level, State Ageing Groups hold regular meetings where group members can gather to discuss relevant issues, both formally at seminars, workshops and forums, or informally at more relaxed dinner engagements.
Regular meetings are held in Sydney (NSW), Brisbane (QLD), Perth (WA), Adelaide (SA), Melbourne (VIC) and Canberra (ACT). On occasion these forums are held jointly with groups whose interests extend into the Ageing arena. For those unable to attend these events, a regular newsletter is circulated to keep all members updated on upcoming events and developments in the area.
National E-mail Listserve
I would like to join the electronic mailing list, to be notified of upcoming meetings and other items of interest. How do I do this?
Send an e-mail with your preferred contact details to Nancy Pachana (National Convener of the APS Psychology and Ageing Interest Group).
Membership and contact details
Nancy A. Pachana, Ph.D. , FAPS
School of Psychology
University of Queensland
Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
Phone: +61 7 3365 6832
Fax: +61 7 3365 4466
Email: npachana@psy.uq.edu.au
You must be a member of the APS to be eligible to join the Interest Group, but membership is open to all categories of APS members, including students. Subscription for the Interest Group is only $23 (plus GST) in addition to APS membership fees. For information on APS fees, see APS membership information
