QualificationsResearch Fellow at the Australian National University, Research School of Pacific Studies; and Lecturer in Psychology and Education at the University of Sydney, Department of Adult Education in Newcastle.Biography
Professor Daphne Keats (1925-2018) was a truly transformative and pioneering figure in Australian psychology, particularly in the field of cross-cultural psychology.
Joining the University of Newcastle as a lecturer in 1970, Daphne, alongside her husband, the late Professor John Keats, revolutionized the School of Psychology. Until her retirement in 1990, she was a driving force, revamping teaching and research through extensive international collaborations across Australia and Asia. Her passion directly led to the founding of The China-Australia Centre for Cross-Cultural Studies in Chengdu. Beyond cross-cultural work, she also published widely in developmental, social psychology, and professional practice.
A distinguished leader, Daphne served as President of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) from 1985-1986, marking her as only the second woman to hold this prestigious position.
Even after her retirement, Daphne's commitment to the field endured. She continued to supervise students and mentor colleagues, and in 2000, she and John generously established the John and Daphne Keats Endowment Research Fund. This fund continues to support vital cross-cultural research in the School of Psychology today, ensuring her profound legacy lives on.
The Daphne Keats Oration
The Daphne Keats Oration celebrates the role of psychological sciences in addressing global challenges. This year’s lecture, delivered by Professor Belinda Liddell, will explore one of the most pressing humanitarian crises of our time: the global refugee crisis. Drawing on her extensive research, Professor Liddell will examine the mental health challenges faced by displaced populations and the critical need for evidence-based, culturally responsive psychological support.
