A key focus this year was engaging with the wider Australian community to increase understanding of psychology and the role it can play in their lives. This was carried out through a range of activities.

The public profile of the APS continued to build in 2020, with psychologists being heard by the public through a range of media outlets. APS President Ros Knight and former CEO Frances Mirabelli made appearances and spoke with Sky News, ABC national TV and radio news, SBS News, Channel 9, Channel 10, The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian Financial Review, podcasts and vodcasts, and more. APS members also made contributions through the writing and sharing of news articles.

Engagement by members and the public also increased, with regular news announcements and the sharing of resources made through our Facebook, LindedIn and Twitter channels. Our resources were shared widely, both nationally and internationally.

Loneliness public event

In April, the APS hosted an online event Loneliness and social isolation in the time of COVID-19 for over 2,000 members of the public around the country. This was set up following media reports, feedback from members and new research which revealed that many people across Australia were struggling with the social impacts of the lockdowns introduced to help stave off the spread of COVID-19. APS President Ros Knight, Dr Michelle Lim MAPS and Professor Jo Badcock MAPS spoke about previous research into the effects of loneliness and covered a broad range of advice and tips for older people, those with children, those living alone, and more. Participants engaged in conversations with one another through the chat function and asked questions of the presenters. This was a hugely successful format and will be used for future events.

Psychology Week

The 2019 Psychology Week research topic was on young people’s voices in the climate crisis, titled Psychology and social justice issues: What can we learn from young people?

A review of the literature in this area was undertaken which indicated that 95% of Australian youth believe that climate change is a serious problem. A second aspect of the project was the formation of a Social Justice Youth Advisory Group of 60 young people aged 16 to 25 who shared their views and concerns about the climate crisis through face-to-face workshops and via a closed Facebook group. Short videos were produced of the young people speaking about what was of most concern to them, with the climate crisis featuring heavily.

The project led to recommendations for education providers, community and media, psychology research, teaching and practice, and Governments, to address climate change.