Biography
I specialise in research on creative interventions that have potential to support healing for survivors of refugee trauma. I work collaboratively with people from refugee backgrounds and colleagues to explore cultural and creative approaches that have this potential. I am committed to co-design and decolonial approaches in investigating what works in different communities of refugee background, and to using different art forms to engage...view more
I specialise in research on creative interventions that have potential to support healing for survivors of refugee trauma. I work collaboratively with people from refugee backgrounds and colleagues to explore cultural and creative approaches that have this potential. I am committed to co-design and decolonial approaches in investigating what works in different communities of refugee background, and to using different art forms to engage individuals and communities. I am a social scientist and counsellor by training. I have previously worked as a counsellor in Kenya, and as a trainer and trauma counsellor with NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS).
Research projects I am currently involved in include:
- Immersive Media Explorations of the Felt Experience of Emotions in the Body (HC200508)
- Exploring Creative Engagement for Psychosocial Support of Young People from Refugee Backgrounds (with possible collaboration between Anglicare Program form Mental Health and Community Living Supports for Refugees, STARTTS, and fEEL UNSW).
- Poetry and Mental Health: Young South Sudanese Community Members Exploring Ways to talk about Suicide
My Qualifications
B.Ed. (Literature, English), Kenyatta University
M.A. Counselling, International Leadership University, Kenya
High Dip. in Counselling Psychology, Tec Institute of Management
M.A International Relations, USIU-Africa
PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Sydney
My Awards
- Dorothy Marchus Senesh Fellowship, International Peace Research Association (IPRA) Foundation, 2014-2015
- Postgraduate Teaching Fellowship, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Sydney, 2014
My Research Supervision
Supervision keywords
Areas of supervision
Refugee trauma
Psychosocial support and mental health for refugees
Creative approaches to mental health support
Cultural and community approaches to mental health
Trauma interventions and peacebuilding in conflict settings
Decolonial research in mental health and wellbeing
Currently supervising
Emmanuel Mensah: Transitional Justice, Truth Commission and Community Psychology: What can Community Psychology offer in the trauma healing of victims of past atrocities towards peace and national reconciliation? (Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, PhD Research) - Associate supervisor
Publications
ORCID as entered in ROS
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3473-9367