Professor Adrian Fisher

Adrian Fisher is now an Emeritus Professor at Victoria University. He previously was the Head of Psychology, working in the area of community psychology and has established successful postgraduate programs in this area.

Adrian has an international reputation for his work in Psychological Sense of Community, an area of research and application for himself and his students – particularly with a focus on social inclusion and exclusion mechanisms.

He also leads a group research aspects of the social and emotional support needs of parents of academically gifted children.

More recently, he has been applying research knowledge and skills to attitudinal and behavioural responses to alternative sources of drinking water.

Adrian has contributed to significant academic and applied developments both within and outside Victoria University. These include:

• Head of School
• Head of Psychology Discipline
• Foundation Head of the Postgraduate Office
• Chair of the Health Interprofessional Education Advisory Committee – with external contributions including membership of the Central Region Executive Clinical Placement Network
• Chair of the Board of Community Psychologists.

Publications

A selection of Professor Adrian Fisher's work is presented below.

Books

Fisher, A. T., Sonn, C. C., & Bishop, B. J. (Eds.). (2002). Psychological sense of community: Research, applications, and implications. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.

Chapters in books

Van den Eynde, A., & Fisher, A. (2014). The Social Construction of Travelling for Wellbeing in Australia. In M. Smith & L. Puczko (Eds.), Health,Tourism and Hospitality Wellness, Spas and Medical Travel (2nd Ed.), Routledge.

Sonn, C. C., & Fisher, A. T. (2010). Immigration and adaptation: Confronting the challenges of cultural diversity. In Nelson, G., & Prilleltensky, I. Critical Community psychology: In pursuit of wellness and liberation, 2nd Edition. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Morsillo, J., & Fisher, A. T. (2009). Appreciative inquiry with migrant youth for meaningful community participation. In M. F. Hindsworth and T. B. Lang (Eds). Community participation and empowerment. Hauppauge, NY: Nova.

Articles in refereed journals

Iebra Aizpurua, R. & Fisher, A. T. (2008). Together but separated: The acculturation experience of Latin Americans in Australia. Australian Community Psychologist, 20(2), 30-43.

O’Grady, L., & Fisher, A. T. (2008). Psychological sense of community as a framework to explore adolescence and neighbourhoods. Australian Community Psychologist,20(2), 44-57.

Fisher, A. T., Thomas, D., Bishop, B., & Gridley, H. (2008). Community psychology in Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand. Journal of Community Psychology (Special issue on history and development of community psychology), 36(5), 649-660.

Fisher, A. T., & Sonn, C. C. (2008). Psychopolitical validity: Power, culture and wellness. Journal of Community Psychology, 36(2), 261-268.

Fisher, A. T. & Sonn, C. C. (2007). Sense of community and dynamics of inclusion-exclusion by receiving communities. Australian Community Psychologist, 19(2), 26-34.

Postgraduate research students and fellows 

Professor Adrian Fisher has completed supervision for:

• 9 PhD
• 3 DPsych
• 1 Masters by research (associate supervisor)
• 6 Masters minor thesis
• 40+ 4th year.

He is currently supervising:

• 1 Postdoctoral Fellow
• 6 PhDs
• 1 Masters minor thesis.

Research grants

Professor Adrian Fisher has been successful in gaining the following grants:

• Australian Antarctic Division grant in 2012-14 totalling $119,250. 
• Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence grant in 2012-14 totalling $270,000.
• National Centre for Excellent in Desalination grant in 2010-12 totalling $193,000.
• Ian Potter Foundation grant in 2007 totalling $10,000.
• ARC Linkage grant totalling $68,000.
• ARC Linkage grant (with Good Shepherd Family Services) in 2003-04 totalling $68,000.