Objectives
- To represent Departments of Psychology to relevant external bodies in those instances where a concerted or unified representation is required and/or desired.
- To provide a forum for exchange of information and liason on matters of mutual interest and concern.
- To formulate action on behalf of the Departments of Psychology where the interests of all departments are involved.
- To cooperate and liase with
other bodies representing or regulating psychology and psychologists.
History of HODSPA
1995: A Directory of Academic Psychologists was compiled by Assoc Prof Ken Heskin. It was sponsored by the newly-formed Heads of Departments and Schools of Psychology Association (HODSPA). The Minutes of the HODSPA meeting held on 26 May 1995 refer to an intention to update the directory at the end of 1995.
1996: The Minutes of the 7 June meeting of HODSPA refer to the updated directory.
1999: The Minutes of the 21 May meeting of HODSPA mention that there were no volunteers to develop a HODSPA website.
1999: The Minutes of the 1 October meeting of HODSPA mention that the Chair of HODSPA (Professor Gerry Fogarty) undertook to develop the HODSPA website to be hosted by the University of Southern Queensland. Dr Steve Provost (Newcastle Uni) to assist.
2000: Minutes of 26 May meeting record that the Chairperson (Prof Fogarty) advised members that the HODSPA homepage had been constructed and that he would continue to develop content for the site. The primary requirement mentioned by members was that the site facilitate communication among Fourth Year Coordinators. At this same meeting, the Chairperson commented on the fact that the Directory of Academic Psychologists was now four years old and needing an update.
2001: Minutes of the 25 May meeting report an announcement by Prof Fogarty that the website was now fully operational and that it contained an electronic form of an updated Directory of Academic Psychologists. Members could search the directory on the basis of teaching interests, research interests, or university affiliation. Coordinators were also listed.
2002: Minutes of the September (26?) meeting report that Prof Fogarty gave a brief presentation on the features of the HODSPA website. The main point was that the 2001 information had been updated.
2003: Minutes of the May (27?) meeting record that Prof Fogarty gave another presentation, this time introducing two new features: a) Schools could now update their own data at any time, instead of the annual update conducted by USQ; b) mailing lists could now be generated from the HODSPA website on the basis of position (e.g., Fourth Year Coordinators), interests (teaching or research), or any other feature already captured by the database.
2004: Chairperson of HODSPA (Prof Peter Lovibond) emailed members to alert them to the features of the HODSPA website and suggesting possible uses.