Professor David Fryer
Professor of Community Critical Psychology
David Fryer
Bio
I was born and brought up in Birmingham, England, went to London University to take a first degree in psychology with subsidiary philosophy, then took a Master of Arts in Philosophy, then moved to Edinburgh, Scotland to do a PhD in Psychology. I worked as a Medical Research Council Post Doctoral Fellow at the Social and Applied Psychology Unit at Sheffield University and then moved to the Psychology Department of Stirling University, Scotland. I learned over many years from Professor Marie Jahoda about real social psychology and I learned what real community critical psychology is from Scottish community activists, Cathy McCormack, members of Reachout expressive arts mental health project and community members and students with whom I have had the pleasure of working.
In March 2009 I took up the position of Professor of Community Critical Psychology at Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. During 2009 I have the honour of being Visiting Professor in Community Critical Psychology at the University of Puerto Rico and President of the European Community Psychology Association (the latter from October 2009-2011).
I am married to Christina Fryer and have a younger daughter, Bernadette, who are in Bathurst and have an older daughter, Bridget and a cat called Nigel who are still in Scotland.
Teaching
My particular interests are in community psychology, critical psychology and critical methodology.
I am currently supervising Bróna Nic Giolla Easpaig's PhD on critical psychological approaches to sexual violence at Charles Sturt University and Emma Scott Smith's PhD on Community Artivism at Stirling University, Scotland.
Former successful PhD supervisees include Dr Adele Laing (disability); Dr Rachael Fox (school exclusion), Dr Kesi Mahendran (unemployment), Dr Paul Duckett (unemployment and disability), Sr Dr Mary Ross (school to labour market transition).
Recent publications
- Fryer, D. (in press). Critical differences: the development of a community critical psychological perspective on the psychological costs of unemployment. In Kieselbach, Thomas & Mannila, Simo (Ed.). Persistent Unemployment and Precarious Work - Research and Policy Issues. Psychology of Social Inequality, Wiesbaden: VS - Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften (expected late 2009).
- David Fryer (2009). Guest Editor: Special Issue of the Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy on International Community Critical Psychology, Volume 9, Number 2, 59-118.
- Fryer, D. & Laing, A. (2008). Community Psychologies: What are they? What could they be? Why does it matter? A Critical Community Psychology Approach. Australian Community Psychologist, 20, 2, 7-15.
http://www.groups.psychology.org.au/Assets/Files/20(2)-Fryer-Laing.pdf - Giolla Easpaig, B.N. & Fryer, D. (2008) Textbook Answers? Australian Community Psychologist, 20, 2, 87-93.
http://www.groups.psychology.org.au/Assets/Files/20(2)-Easpaig-Fryer.pdf - Fryer, D. (2008). Some questions about the history of community psychology. Journal of Community Psychology, 36, 5
- Fryer, D. (2008). Power from the people? Critical reflection on a conceptualization of power. Journal of Community Psychology, 36, 2, 238-245
Membership of professional associations and groups
- British Psychological Society Chartered Psychologist ( C.Psychol )
- Fellow of the British Psychological Society ( F.B.Psy.S )
- Former Chairperson of the College of Fellows of the British Psychological Society.
- Fellow of the Society for Community Research and Action (Division 27 of the American Psychological Association) (FSCRA)
- Editorial Board Member: Journal of Primary Prevention
- Editorial Board Member: Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management
- Former Editor of The Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology
