Sue Ferguson

I am a Registered Psychologist, with specialist endorsement in Health Psychology, and I also have a Masters in Clinical Psychology. Geropsychology (the psychology of older adulthood) is my main interest, in particular, the concept of positive ageing and how it can be achieved. I am also interested in adult development more broadly and in adjustment during both older adulthood and midlife, and how development and wellbeing are influenced by chronic illness, chronic pain, and stress. Positive psychology is also a key interest of mine, particularly predictors of health and wellbeing.

I'm also keen to make psychological knowledge available to the general public, and to older adults in particular.

My research interests include: predictors of wellbeing in older adults, particularly applying positive psychology concepts to predicting well-being in midlife and older adults (such as optimism, social support, self-compassion, acceptance, hope and proactive coping). I am also interested in: adjustment of older adults to life events and uncontrollable circumstances (such as fires, floods and cyclones), chronic disease and chronic pain (such as arthritis pain); and in adapting therapy for older adults.

I am a monthly columnist for the Council on the Ageing (COTA) NSW and for the Sydney Observer magazine. I write mostly about positive ageing and wellbeing more broadly, but also about other issues faced by older adults including caregiving and bereavement, chronic illness and pain, and mental health issues such as depression (all areas which I have researched and/or taught).

I am a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) College of Health Psychologists, and a member of the APS Psychology and Ageing Interest group, and the APS Positive Psychology Interest Group. I am also a full member of the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA), and the Emerging Researchers in Ageing (ERA).

My students, colleagues and I work with community organisations usually those focussed on older adults, for example Uniting, and National Seniors.

I also review papers for a variety of journals including: Journal of Happiness Studies; Aging & Mental Health; Australasian Journal on Ageing; & Personal Relationships.

In the University I have most recently been a member of the Faculty of Human Sciences Human Ethics Committee, of the Psychology Department's Teaching & Learning Committee & Fourth Year Committee.

I teach undergraduate developmental psychology, particularly adult development and ageing. I have also taught health psychology at both second and fourth year levels, and to Masters of Clinical Psychology students. I have previously also taught Masters level students how to adapt therapy for older adults. I also taught other undergraduate units including Adult Development and Ageing, Social Psychology, Psychopathology, and Introductory Psychology.

I have won several awards for my teaching. and teach with commitment and enthusiasm.

I have supervised Honours students in topics realated to positive psychology and also in wellbeing in older adults. I have also supervised a Clinical Psychology Masters student who is looking at proactive coping in older adults.