The aim of this presentation is to outline the core principles of Community Psychology as a sub-discipline of psychology. Community psychology practitioners work in partnership with people to achieve the goals and aspirations of their community or social groups. The development of Community Psychology in Australia and its current status in relation to the recent demise of the last remaining Community Psychology course will be discussed in terms of its future and the potential impact on diversity within psychology more broadly.
Community Psychology recognises the role that social determinants of health play in the lives of individuals, uses the socioecological model of health and values equity and social justice. Community psychologists are active in tackling some of the most pressing contemporary social issues such as climate change, disaster responses, social cohesion, community justice, family violence, and mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention. The presentation will provide examples of the ways that Community Psychologists work in communities and the broader role of Community Psychology in service design, delivery, research and evaluation.
The goal of the presentation is to raise awareness about the opportunity that Community Psychology presents in promoting diversity within psychology and its work in breaking down social barriers, emphasising empowerment and collaboration and using qualitative and quantitative approaches to research.

Between 2006 and 2011, Dr Birgden established and managed the Compulsory Drug Treatment Correctional Centre in Sydney. Between 2022 and 2023 she was appointed for 18 months as the Warden/Assistant Sheriff at the Orleans Justice Center, a 1200-bed pre-trial or remand centre in New Orleans. In both cases it was agreed that she would manage the institution as a psychologist, not a correctional officer. What unique perspective does a psychologist offer? In developing or redeveloping services, a service delivery model was developed that articulated a theory, a set of principles, and operational procedures to ensure program integrity. A program logic model assists to define the goals, and provide inputs, outputs, and short/ medium/long-term outcome measures to determine whether the goals are being met. The presentation will summarise the learnings from these two endeavours in attempting to establish a human rights approach to detainees in a secure setting.

Aim: To provide information and engage in a further exploration of what it means to retire from professional practice.

Content: will provide the outcome of an on line qualitative survey of psychologists interested in retirement as well as a content analysis of a on-pine discussion involving 130 psychologists close to, or having actually, retired. Content will include reviewing issues around professional and personal identity, technology traps for psychologists considering retirement, legal, insurance, financial and ethical responsibilities facing the potential retiree.

Goals: To raise awareness and increase discussion around the significant implications both professional and personal, of retirement. The goal is allow psychologist to take time to prepare for retirement, to ensure they have appropriate insurance cover, and understand AHPRA's approach to what is considered post retirement professional activity.