Prestigious appointment recognises leadership role
Monash Developmental Cognitive Neuroscientist Professor Kim Cornish has been appointed Chair of the Heads of Departments and Schools of Psychology Association of Australia (HODSPA).
This influential appointment recognises the key leadership role played by Professor Cornish in academic psychology.
Professor Cornish, a world-leading expert in neurodevelopmental genetic disorders, recently inaugurated the Sub-Faculty of Biomedical and Psychological Sciences’ ‘Inspiring women in leadership forum’.
HODSPA represents departments of psychology to relevant external bodies where a concerted or unified representation is required. It provides a forum for exchange of information and liaison on matters of mutual interest and concern, and formulates action on behalf of the departments of psychology where the interests of all departments are involved.
HODSPA also liaises with other bodies representing or regulating psychology and psychologists.
Professor Cornish is looking forward to leading psychology into its next phase, in particular bridging the gap between research and professional practice. She said close collaboration along with a strong voice from all heads of psychology were needed.
“To meet the significant challenges facing the discipline of psychology, I want to promote a collaborative model of engagements between academia, the professional bodies, government and health services,” Professor Cornish said.
“In addition, I want to raise the profile of Monash and its role as a leader in psychology. This is the first time a Monash Head of Psychology has held this prestigious appointment.”
Professor Cornish said her success had grown from her desire to make a difference in the lives of people affected by psychological disorders and produce the next generation of highly skilled and internationally recognised researchers and professionals.
Such successes were the focus of a presentation Professor Cornish gave as a guest speaker at a recent Women in Psychology forum, hosted by the Students' Neuroscience and Psychology Society. More than 100 students listened to the stories of five professional women and their career beginnings and successes.
Professor Cornish said the key message from the evening was “to find courage and confidence within themselves, and how a single knock on a door can help turn a student’s dream into a reality".