Dear colleagues,
It is with great delight that we welcome you to the revamped newsletter from the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project (AIPEP). We continue to advocate for increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation in psychology education and practice. We do this through Indigenous-led research, resources, knowledge dissemination, stakeholder engagement, and system reform. It has been a busy time in the AIPEP team, and we are proud of the impact AIPEP is having in psychology. Over the last year AIPEP has:
- Published the first ever Australian psychology university textbook to embed Indigenous knowledges and lived experiences throughout every chapter
- Published Learning Guides to build the cultural safety capacity of psychologists
- Presented to thousands of psychology educators and psychologists in Indigenous psychology, Social and Emotional Wellbeing, and cultural safety in psychology
- Collaborated with peak bodies in psychology to enact system wide reform
The work of AIPEP would not be possible without the leadership of Prof. Pat Dudgeon AM and the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association (AIPA), with the support of the School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia (UWA).
Please check out the AIPEP website for a vast array of Indigenous-led resources and publications: https://indigenouspsyched.org.au
The AIPEP Team
Updates
Research Forum
In November 2025, Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing and the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention hosted a Research Forum at UWA to celebrate the groundbreaking work produced over the years and share our new identity as Kwop Boorn Djenara – a place of good tree roots. AIPEP is proud to be part of this important work. You can read about the work of AIPEP in Standing on Strong Foundations.
Cultural Safety Project
AIPEP has joined the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) in a unique project to support cultural safety in psychology education and practice through 1) updating the landmark 2016 AIPEP Frameworks, 2) strengthening the AIPEP Community of Practice of Psychology Educators, 3) supporting APAC in cultural safety transformations. AIPEP welcomes Senior Project Officers Associate Professor Dianne Wepa (Ngāti Kahungunu) and Ms Katrina Newnham to the Cultural Safety Project team. We look forward to seeing the project progress in 2026.
AIPEP team members Prof. Pat Dudgeon AM, Belle Selkirk and Jody Kamminga, along with Kwop Boorn Djenara team members Rama Agung-Igusti, Joan Chan, Melissa Koh and Ee Pin Chang, attended the annual conference of the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association (AIPA), held on Kaurna Country, March 24-25 2026.
Prof. Pat Dudgeon AM presented a powerful opening Keynote on Indigenous suicide prevention and Social and Emotional Wellbeing. Attendees heard from international keynote speaker and Indigenous Psychologist Dr Gayle Skawen:nio Morse on Indigenous wisdoms and community care in psychology. Belle Selkirk, Rama Agung-Igusti and Jody Kamminga led a thought-provoking closing panel on Honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing through reflexivity.
Read more about the AIPA conference below:
Cultural Safety Project
See also:
New Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) Accreditation Standards
AIPEP welcomes the updated accreditation standards for psychology higher education programs brought by APAC from the 1st of December 2025.
The new Domain 6 relates to Cultural Safety “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have a right to work, learn, engage and receive services in culturally safe environments free from racism”
UWA Award for Excellence in Teaching Programs that Enhance Learning
AIPEP was recognised by UWA in the 2025 Excellence in Teaching Awards for leadership in advancing cultural safety, improving Indigenous mental health education, and driving system change within psychology education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 🏆
Vice-Chancellor’s Research Award
Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing won the UWA Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Indigenous-led Research in 2025. AIPEP is pleased to be a joint recipient in this award.
Publications and Resources
Publication Spotlight
Psychology: from inquiry to understanding
Professor Pat Dudgeon AM, Executive Editor
Belle Selkirk & Dr Joanna Alexi, Associate Editors
Empowers students to apply scientific and critical thinking to the psychology of their everyday lives. Each chapter brings Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lived experiences, perspectives and knowledges into the study of psychology.
AIPEP Publications
2025 was a huge year for AIPEP publications. Catch up on these important reads!
Decolonising Tertiary Psychology Programs in Australia: Privileging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Voices, Australian Journal of Psychology
Untying settler-colonial knots in Australian Psychology, New Zealand Journal of Psychology, New Zealand Journal of Psychology
Decolonising tertiary psychology student support in Australia: empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychology students, The Australian Journal of Psychology
AIPEP Learning Resource: Psychology Board of Australia Professional Competencies for Psychology – Competency 8 Resource Map, The University of Western Australia
New Series in the Koori Mail
Professor Pat Dudgeon AM (Bardi), Belle Selkirk (Noongar), and Tegan Schefe (Bidjara and Kamilaroi) published a series of articles on racism and wellbeing in the Koori Mail (released as part of the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention’s fortnightly column). Check them out below!
by Belle Selkirk
Nourishing ourselves and prioritising rest is more important than ever. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being, and doing say wellbeing is interconnected with our body, mind, community, family, culture, ancestors and Country. And just as wellbeing has many layers, so too does rest.
by Tegan Schefe
In the face of such racism, we can make sure we are equipped with the appropriate tools and strategies to deal with bigotry on a day-to-day basis, thereby helping us thrive and live prosperous lives, despite any racism we may encounter
by Professor Pat Dudgeon AM
January 26 can bring up painful and traumatic feelings for some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, which is why it is important to look after yourself and your community after the controversial public holiday.
Important Reads
Landmark Study
The Australian Human Rights Commission has conducted a study into racism at universities, finding it is widespread and systemic. An independent study like this has never been done before at such scale.
The final report was delivered to the Australian Government in December 2025.
Upcoming Events
AIATSIS Summit
June 1-5, 2026
Yugambeh and Kombumberri Country, Gold Coast
World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference (WISPC)
September 17-19, 2026
Kirikiriroa, Aotearoa, NZ
IAHA National Conference
November 30 – December 2, 2026
Noongar Country, Boorloo (Perth)
Have your say!
The Psychology Board of Australia Higher Degree Redesign Project public consultation.
The Psychology Board of Australia invites practitioners, students, members of the community, employers and other stakeholders to give feedback on a new proposed psychology training model. The Board has proposed a single, shorter and more practical course of study to qualify as a registered psychologist in Australia.
AIPEP is advocating for greater access and equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychology students through this redesign project.
Have your say by June 10th 2026. Please refer to the Boards higher education redesign webpage for information.
Get In Touch
Bilya Marlee
School of Indigenous Studies
University of Western Australia M303,
35 Stirling Highway, Crawley
Perth WA 6009