Keywords
Fields of Research (FoR)
Applied and developmental psychology, Organisational behaviour, Curriculum and pedagogySEO tags
Biography
Helen Parker is an education-focussed Senior Lecturer in the School of Management and Governance. For over 10 years as an educator, she has designed and delivered learning for a diverse array of audiences, including leadership programs for academic and professional staff at the University of Sydney, and executive education programs tailored for the Department of Defence. At the heart of Helen’s scholarly pursuits lies a profound fascination...view more
Helen Parker is an education-focussed Senior Lecturer in the School of Management and Governance. For over 10 years as an educator, she has designed and delivered learning for a diverse array of audiences, including leadership programs for academic and professional staff at the University of Sydney, and executive education programs tailored for the Department of Defence. At the heart of Helen’s scholarly pursuits lies a profound fascination with understanding how individuals mature their psychosocial capacities throughout their lifespan and handle complexity at work.
Before embarking on her current academic journey, Helen had 20-year history in senior marketing positions across the IT, publishing, and pharmaceutical sectors. Her global experience included working and living in Australia, Hong Kong, and the UK. This comprehensive industry experience provides her with a rare blend of academic rigor and practical wisdom, enriching her approach to teaching, research, and professional collaboration.
My Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) The University of Sydney. Title: An Exploration of Personality, Emotional Intelligence and Perspective Taking in Developmental Coaching.
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) Macquarie Business School
- Bachelor of Psychology (Hons. 1st Class) The University of Canberra
My Research Activities
Helen's scholarly pursuits are twofold:
Psychosocial Development in Higher Education Settings: Her work centres on student self-authorship – the developmental process by which people construct their own identities and narratives. As an educator, she champions the cultivation of the skills and capacities that enable students to achieve independent, self-authored identities.
Complexity Theory in Management Education: Helen’s mission is to equip the next generation of businesspeople with the tools to navigate complexity in organisations. Her current work involves developing practical approaches to teaching complexity theory in management education, to foster a more nuanced and realistic understanding of the world for business school students, at levels from undergraduate to postgraduate and executive education.