Dr Sharon McCarthy, MAPS

Senior Lecturer, Internship Coordinator
BA(Psych)Hons, MPsych(Community) PhD, Registered Psychologist

Email: sharon.mccarthy@nd.edu.au
Phone: 9433 0125

  • Biography

    Sharon completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology graduating with 1st Class honours. She has also completed a combined Masters/ PhD at Edith Cowan University in Community Psychology, focusing on the Social Construction of Terrorism in Western Australia. Her research specifically explored the discourse used to understand the issue of Terrorism and the implication this has had for identity construction and cultural relations. Sharon also has considerable experience as the Research Manager for a private community consultancy company prior to moving to Notre Dame in 2008. During this time she was involved in and responsible for a variety of different programs and projects including but not limited to strategic planning, community development, and consultation and engagement projects undertaken locally and in the North and Central West of the State. Since beginning with Notre Dame Sharon has been nominated for Unijobs Lecturer of the Year award in 2010, twice nominated for a Vice Chancellors award and more recently was nationally recognised with an Australian Learning and Teaching Council citation in 2011 for outstanding contributions to student learning.

  • Teaching areas

    • RM100 – Introduction to Research Methods
    • PS221 – Social Psychology
    • PS394 – Behavioural Science Internship
    • PS333 - Abnormal Psychology

  • Research expertise and supervision

    Critical Community Psychology, Qualitative Research Methods, Discursive Psychology and Discourse Analysis, and Critical Pedagogy

  • Publications and conferences

    McCarthy, S, (2011, October). Developing Capstone units as a means of linking theory and practice in psychology education. Paper presented as part of the symposium From theory, through evidence to practice in psychology education. 46th Annual APS Conference, Canberra 3rd – 8th October 2011

    McCarthy, S. (2011, October). Applying theory to achieve 'best practice' in psychology education. Paper presented as part of the symposium From theory, through evidence to practice in psychology education. 46th Annual APS Conference, Canberra 3rd – 8th October 2011

    McCarthy, S. (2013, July). If that’s David and that’s Goliath, who am I: How the discourses of terrorism silence the majority. Paper presented as part of the symposium Voices from the margins: (Re)conceptualising diversity, inclusivity, and social justice in Community Psychology at 14th SCRA Biennial Conference, Miami Florida, USA 26th – 29th July 2013.

    McCarthy, S. (2013, July). Creating meaningful opportunities for undergraduate psychology students to link theory and practice. Paper presented as part of symposium Different Lenses – A common goal: Faculty and students share service learning experiences at 14th SCRA Biennial Conference, Miami Florida, USA 26th – 29th July 2013.

    McCarthy, S., Darlaston-Jones, D., & Breen, L. (2013, July). Feeding the neoliberal beast: How Community Psychologists stay in the ‘game’ while maintaining their values. Paper presented at 14th SCRA Biennial Conference, Miami Florida, USA 26th – 29th July 2013.

    Darlaston-Jones, D., McCarthy, S., & Busch, R. (2012, September). Re-sourcing values and informed citizenship in psychology education: Integrating personal, professional and organisational values into graduate outcomes for undergraduate students. Professional Practice Forum presented at 47th Annual APS Conference, Perth 27th – 30th September 2012.

    McCarthy, S, (2011, October). Developing Capstone units as a means of linking theory and practice in psychology education. Paper presented as part of the symposium From theory, through evidence to practice in psychology education. 46th Annual APS Conference, Canberra 3rd – 8th October 2011.

    McCarthy, S. (2011, October). Applying theory to achieve ‘best practice’ in psychology education. Paper presented as part of the symposium From theory, through evidence to practice in psychology education. 46th Annual APS Conference, Canberra 3rd – 8th October 2011.

    McCarthy, S., & Darlaston-Jones, D. (2011). Editorial: Special section on innovation in undergraduate curriculum. The Australian Community Psychologist, 23(1), 34-35.

  • Professional associations

    • Australian Psychological Society – Member
    • Co-Editor, Australian Community Psychologist
    • Australian College of Community Psychologists
    • Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA)
    • Psychologists for Social Responsibility

  • Community engagement

    2011 – Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians
    Responsible for conceptualisation and coordination of student delivered consultation and the preparation and presentation of student submission to expert panel.

    2009 – Inaugural Behavioural Science Conference
    Responsible for conceptualisation and coordination of student developed and delivered conference addressing the Global Financial Crisis – "Living the Recession - (Re)Conceptualising Poverty". Participants included students and staff from School of Arts & Sciences and external organisations such as the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, City of Mandurah, and Department of Sport & Recreation.

    2009 – Australian Journal of Community Psychology
    Guest Editor for Special Section promoting student papers from the Inaugural Behavioural Science Conference. Four student papers were reviewed and published in volume 23 (1) April 2011. The papers were recently acknowledged and published on the American Community Psychology home page – Society for Community Research and Action.