Science of mind and behaviour or allied health profession? Changes in the organisational location of psychology in Australian universities

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to characterise the past and current organisational location of psychology in Australian universities. Method: Contemporary and archived websites of 38 universities were examined to determine whether, in 2005 and 2022, psychology was located within a health-focused organisational structure and functioned as a stand-alone administrative entity. Results: Most psychology units are currently stand-alone and located within a health-focused structure. Since 2005 they have gravitated into health-focused structures (36.8% to 68.4%) and become less autonomous (84.2% to 63.2%). These trends diverge from the typical arrangement in top North American and UK psychology units. Conclusions: Australian psychology academics increasingly work in health-focused structures where their discipline is not administratively autonomous. This trend brings opportunities and risks.