Prestigious Awards in Psychology

Media Release

27 September, 2013

For immediate release

Attention:  Health and Social Issues Reporters

Prestigious Awards in Psychology

The New Zealand Psychological Society (NZPsS) -the largest membership association for psychologists in New Zealand, offers awards for excellence in practice and research related to psychology and social justice issues.

The following three prestigious awards were conferred on this year’s recipients at the recent New Zealand Psychological Society Conference held in Auckland.

Dame Marie Clay Award -awarded to Dr Jean Annan 

Dr Jean Annan is the 2013 recipient of the Dame Marie Clay Award.   This award is given in recognition of the contributions the recipient has made to educational and developmental psychology through original research and the dissemination of research or best practice.  Jean is recognised for her contributions in all three domains: First, as an exemplary practitioner of educational psychology in the Ministry of Education’s special education service; second as a leader for more than a decade in a university professional training programme for educational psychologists in which she developed particular expertise in mentoring and supervision; and third, for her scholarly publications on the practice of educational psychology in Aotearoa/New Zealand.  At the awards ceremony at the NZPsS conference in Auckland NZPsS President, Peter Coleman congratulated Jean on her excellent contribution to educational psychology over a long period.

This award is offered biennially and is jointly funded by the New Zealand Psychological Society and the Marie Clay Literacy Trust.

Early Career Goddard Award- Research and Scholarship- Jointly awarded to Dr Mary Breheny and Dr Taciano Milfont

Dr Mary Breheny  

Dr Mary Breheny   is a joint recipient of the 2013 Goddard Award in Research and Scholarship. This Award recognizes exceptional early career achievement and excellence in research and scholarship in basic psychological science. Mary Breheny is a graduate in psychology of Massey University whose research has skilfully explored the interface of social psychology and health psychology.  Her research into the social constructions that frame health practitioners’ views about young mothers who are welfare recipients has been published in prestigious journals and has been of value in the making of health and social policies in Aotearoa/New Zealand.  NZPsS  President, Peter Coleman congratulated Mary on her excellent research noting that she was a very worthy recipient of the award.

Dr  Taciano Milfont  

Dr  Taciano Milfont is a joint recipient of the 2013 Goddard Award in Research and Scholarship.  Taciano, a native of Brazil and a graduate in psychology of The University of Auckland, is a social psychologist whose work has focussed on the interface of social psychology, cross-cultural psychology, and environmental psychology. He is an exceptionally productive young researcher whose methodologically sophisticated research is already having an impact internationally.  NZPsS President, Peter Coleman noted the breadth of the excellent scholarship undertaken by Taciano and congratulated him on his achieving the award.

Karahipi Tumuaki- President’s Scholarship awarded to Dr Tai Riki Kake

Dr Tai Kake was awarded the Karahipi Tumuaki- President’s Scholarship for his excellent research on Māori mental health.  Tai’s research focused on cognitive impairment in Māori diagnosed with schizophrenia.  The research conveyed a strong Kaupapa Māori research approach and was informed by cognitive neuropsychological models of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. This important research topic was carried out in a methodologically sound manner and was supported by a through consultation process with Māori.  Tai’s involvement with his subjects’ was based upon Māori protocol. Tai’s research formed part of his PhD and he is looking to publish the results in the near future.  NZPsS, President Peter Coleman congratulated Tai and wished in well in his future career.

ENDS

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