Record numbers of social psychologists from Australia, New
Zealand, and the rest of the world have submitted presentations to the Annual Meeting
of the Society of Australasian Social Psychologists, which will be hosted
by academics from the University of Newcastle in April this year. High profile
international researchers include keynote speaker Professor John Dixon from the
Open University in the UK.
Speaking about the unprecedented interest, conference
organiser Dr Stefania Paolini said, “Australia has always punched above its
weight in the area of social psychology, and it is great to see Newcastle
taking an active role in supporting this important area.”
Social psychology is currently enjoying a great deal of
success at Newcastle. Dr Paolini was recently awarded an Australian Research
Council Discovery Project to investigate the social psychological bases of people’s
interest in approaching versus avoiding social diversity. The University has also
strengthened its commitment to the field, with the School of Psychology
establishing a new Social
and Organisational Psychology Research Group and appointing new staff in
the area. The School is also currently recruiting high profile candidates for a
Chair
in Cross-Cultural Psychology.
