14 August 2014
Psychology Professor recognised for
outstanding contributions
Professor Michael
O’Driscoll from the School of Psychology at Waikato
University has been recognised for his sustained outstanding
contribution in the field of industrial-organisational
psychology and the excellence of his body of academic
research.
He was recently awarded the prestigious Jamieson
Award from the New Zealand Psychological Society (NZPsS), an
award that was established in 2006 and is only offered every
four years to outstanding contributions to the field of
industrial and organisational psychology.
Professor
O’Driscoll says he is privileged to have received this
recognition for contributions to his field.
“Much of my
research work has been conducted in collaboration with
research colleagues, both in New Zealand and
internationally, and it has been a wonderful experience
working with these colleagues, sharing our knowledge and
expertise. “
Professor O’Driscoll is a leading New
Zealand international and figure in
industrial-organisational psychology. He came to New Zealand
with a PhD from Flinders University in 1981, after a short
period at the University of Papua New Guinea. On arrival he
initiated the teaching of industrial organisational
psychology at Waikato, and his efforts culminated in the
establishment of a graduate-level programme that was
inaugurated in 2003.
At the same time he established and
developed a broad-based research programme focusing on
stress management and work-life balance, which has achieved
world-wide recognition for excellence and awareness of
social responsibility.
“These experiences have had a
marked effect on my own learning and skill development. I am
also very grateful to the university and my colleagues in
Psychology, for the support and encouragement which I have
received during my time at Waikato,” says Professor
O’Driscoll.
As an illustration of his commitment to
investigate important social issues relating to work in this
country, in the past 12 months he has published some nine
papers on aspects of family life and work, and on the issue
of work-place bullying.
He will be presented with his
award at the NZPsS conference dinner which takes place at
7.30pm at Trailways Restaurant in Nelson Sunday 31 August
2014.
ENDS