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Professor Monica Thielking

Department Chair, Psychological Sciences & Statistics
Doctor of Psychology (Counselling Psychology), Swinburne University of Technology, Australia; Bachelor of Psychology (Honours, 1st Class), Swinburne University of Technology, Australia; Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Swinburne University of Technology, Australia; Bachelor of Arts (Youth Affairs), RMIT, Australia

Biography

Professor Thielking is Chair of the Department of Psychological Sciences at Swinburne University.

Monica leads pioneering industry-connected research projects that have national and international implications for increasing awareness, shifting public policy and informing service delivery and interventions for improving school professionals' wellbeing using positive psychology approaches and improving outcomes for young people and adults who have a history of trauma and/or experience social disadvantage. Monica’s mixed-methods and qualitative research and evaluation reports have given voice to participants’ experiences and have served to deepen knowledge among researchers, policy makers and service providers about the individual and shared impacts of programs, services and interventions on participant outcomes. 

Prior to coming to Swinburne, Monica worked at the Australian Psychological Society as the Psychologists in Schools Advisor. Monica was the founder and inaugural Convenor of the APS Psychologists in Schools Interest Group and was Program Chair of the American Psychological Association Division for International Psychology, supporting the scientific program for researchers working on global mental health initiatives. Monica is a member of the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project and Research Affiliate of the National Centre for Reconcilation. Monica has been awared Fellowship of the Australian Psychological Society and the APS College of Counselling Psychologists.



Research interests

youth homelessness; school psychology; service integration; education equity; positive psychology; staff wellbeing

PhD candidate and honours supervision

Higher degrees by research

Accredited to supervise Masters & Doctoral students as Principal Supervisor.

PhD topics and outlines

Positive psychology and teacher / school psychologist staff wellbeing : Building on a body of work exploring the impact of positive psychology strategies and impact of staff wellbeing in school or academic contexts. This research can also be implemented in other occupational settings.

Youth homelessness, trauma, poverty and/or disadvantage and educational engagement : Building on a body of work that explores the educational trajectories and experiences of young people who face multiple forms of disadvantage.

Fields of Research

  • Educational Psychology - 520102
  • Health And Community Services - 420305
  • Mental Health Services - 420313

Awards

  • 2022, National, Fellow, APS College of Counselling Psychologists
  • 2021, National, Fellow, Australian Psychological Society
  • 2020, Swinburne, Deans Award for School Culture, Swinburne Uiniversity of Technology
  • 2015, Swinburne, FHAD Dean's Leadership Award, Swinburne University of Technology
  • 2002, Swinburne, SUPRA, Swinburne Uiniversity of Technology

Further information

  • http://apo.org.au/node/53027

Publications

Also published as: Thielking, Monica; Thielking, M.
This publication listing is provided by Swinburne Research Bank. If you are the owner of this profile, you can update your publications using our online form.

Recent research grants awarded

  • 2023: Student Wellbeing Project: Strengthening Teachers' Capacity to Support At Risk Students through the Application of Positive Psychology Strategies *; Catholic Education Office of Sandhurst
  • 2020: How Do School Costs Impact the Housing Stability of Low-Income Families and Their Children's School Experiences? *; Anchor Inc Youth and Community
  • 2019: Brimbank Young Researchers Project Evaluation *; Brimbank City Council
  • 2018: Supporting homeless individuals with a history of brain injury: Assessing knowledge and building skills among frontline workers *; Mercy Foundation
  • 2015: Journey to Social Inclusion (J2SI) Project Mark II *; Journey to Social Inclusion
  • 2015: Standardization and validation of a measure of sleep problems among youth internationally *; St. John's University
  • 2014: Social Inclusion Assessment Tool - Standpoint Project *; Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Programme
  • 2012: Student Wellbeing Project - Stage *; Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
  • 2012: TFY The Geelong Project *; Department of Human Services - Contracts
  • 2011: Homelessness and health services integration study *; University of New South Wales

* Chief Investigator


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