BSc (Hons) (Stirling), PhD (Charles Sturt)
Brona graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Honours) in 2008 from the University of Stirling in Scotland and moved to Australia in 2009 to complete a PhD with Charles Sturt University. Brona has taught in a range of areas within psychology and counselling undergraduate and honours programs. Brona joined the psychology team as a lecturer at the Port Macquarie campus in 2016 and in 2021 became an Adjunct Lecturer.
Brona is interested in the areas of community, health and social psychology and is a member of the APS College of Community Psychologists (academic). A central theme of Brona's work is engaging with social identities, processes of marginalisation, socio-cultural factors and wellbeing. Brona is interested in building partnerships and working with community groups in these areas (kindly see research section for more about projects Brona is involved with). Brona serves as the Associate Editor of the Australian Community Psychologist. Brona is also a member of the APS Women & Psychology and the APS Psychology of Diverse Bodies, Genders and Sexualities Interest Group Committees.
Brona has contributed to the following subjects:
Supervision of Honours, Masters and PhD research projects
My research is located in the fields of community psychology and applied social psychology in examining topics such as gender, sexuality, wellbeing, healthcare access and digital identities. Below are projects I am currently involved with:
Our students learn about qualitative methods through working with real-world research. In this project Dr Rachael Fox and I explore the question "What does Psychology offer Community?" with key stakeholders, both from community and from psychology, across the globe. Students have the opportunity to; learn about psychology in community from key global experts, reflect on their future practice, and to understand the impact of culture and global issues on professional practice.
Currently undertaking a project with Headspace Wagga Wagga and Dr Rachael Fox, CSU which aims to work with young people to better understand their experiences and inform efforts to address the challenges negotiated.
Humphrey, R., Nic Giolla Easpaig, B. & Fox, R. (2018). Creating contexts for ethical research engagement: Reflecting on the challenges and opportunities for research with trans individuals. In D.L. Steinberg, L., Moon & R. Pearce (Eds.) The Emergence of Trans. London: Routledge. (Email me for copy)
Nic Giolla Easpaig, B., & Fox, R. (2016, May). Encounters with critical methodologies in multi-stakeholder community practice: Collaborating to promote wellbeing and address challenges negotiated by young people residing in rural communities in relation to issues of sexuality and gender. Paper session presented at the 6th International Conference on Community Psychology, Durban, South Africa.
Worked with Headspace Wagga Wagga and Dr Rachael Fox, CSU on Headspace project which sought to inform and improve health care service provision to young people who identify as LGBTIQ.
See CSU news article.
Nic Giolla Easpaig, B. & Fox, R. (2017). Young people's experiences of negotiating healthcare services in relation to sexual and gender identities: A community-based approach to service improvement [Special Issue]. Psychology of Sexualities Review, 8, 39-52. (Email me for copy)
Nic Giolla Easpaig, B. (2015). Communicating inclusive practice: Considering the role of language in service access. The Professional Therapist , 1, 35-38
I am involved in a series of ongoing studies which examine the inclusion and participating of women in online gaming communities. This work has included a focus on gender-based harassment, online culture and identities and women’s digital citizenship. I am currently collaborating with Dr Paola Castillo (CSU) and Danielle Kelly (University of Stirling) to examine the factors which influence gaming participation.
Nic Giolla Easpaig, B. & Humphrey, R. (2016). 'Pitching a virtual woo': Analysing discussion of sexism in online gaming. Feminism & Psychology [Advance online publication]. doi:10.1177/0959353516667400