Department of Psychology, University of Otago

16/09/2026

Ka pai tō mahi Dr Bruce!

What if you could slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like dementia with something as simple as a flu shot? 💉

With the help of a Neurological Foundation of New Zealand project grant of $299,321, Department of Neuroscience Senior Research Fellow Dr Bruce Mockett hopes to enable a protective protein to work its magic on brain health and slow the progression of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

“If the research is successful, it will bring hope to people that there is a new effective therapeutic for treating dementia. This could provide resilience against the progression of the disease,” Bruce says.

Ka pai tō mahi! ✨
Read more about this important research here ⬇️
https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/new-approach-in-dementia-treatment-gets-funding

16/09/2026

Kā rawe Dr Ashlee!
Ashlee is now recruiting for her next study - if you are interested in participating in this research please contact ashlee.berryman(at)otago.ac.nz

16/09/2026

Āe - that is a 3D brain printed by our tech's all the way over in Paris!

07/09/2026

The 23rd Annual Otago Peace Lecture is next week. This year it’s being given by the founder of Peace and Conflict studies, Prof. Kevin Clements. This lecture is brought to you by Campus Chaplins and the Dunedin Abrahamic Interfaith Group. For further information contact the Dunedin Abrahamic Interfaith Group (email on the flyer).

See www.dunedininterfaith.net.nz for all previous 22 Annual Peace Lectures

07/09/2026

Career Next Steps – where will I take my Psychology Degree?
For 300 and 400 level psychology majors who are looking for career direction outside of registered psychology pathways.

Clarify your strengths and skills, career interests and motivations
Figure out what you need from your next career step
Learn how to research career opportunities that will suit you.

Places are strictly limited and bookings are essential - register using the Otago Careers Hub (https://unihub.otago.ac.nz/students/login)

06/09/2026

Curious about what's next for you in Psychology?
Come along to hear about what a career in psychology could look like for you 😊

When: Wednesday 9th September 5pm
Where: WJB room 1.03 Psychology Dept

03/09/2026

Dr Fereidoun Malaei, a recent Neuroscience PhD graduate from the University of Otago, has published three connected papers arising from his PhD research, tracing a single idea: our ancestors didn’t solve problems from the neck up — they solved them with their whole bodies.

His theoretical paper bridges Darwinian theory with modern approaches to cognition, arguing that cognitive enhancement strategies should engage mechanisms shaped by the recurrent challenges faced by our hunter-gatherer ancestors. His empirical studies then show that executive control differs depending on which limb is used, with standing-leg responses demonstrating greater adaptive capacity for learning than finger responses.

If you are interested in these papers please see the comments for links 😊

03/09/2026

What do a purple telly-tubby, 80’s inspired aerobics, and 4 x Associate Professor Mei Peng have in common? The 2026 Psychology Department Quiz Night - obviously!

Thanks to all who attended - you brought a great energy to the event! There was a big range of scores, but the team that ultimately took the spoils was the staff and students from the top floor, a.k.a. Team Supervision Required.

Major awards:
1st place – Supervision Required (Clinic staff and students)
2nd place – Elaine’s angels + 1 (Elaine Reese lab)
3rd place – Fellow Kids (Teaching Fellows)
Lowest score – Let’s get Quizical (Jamin Halberstadt lab)
Best dressed – Mini Meis (Mei Peng lab)

03/09/2026

Kia ora koutou! Lot's on in September 😊
If you are thinking about next steps - make sure you attend the Psychology Career Stories and Q&A event organised by the NZ Psychological Society!

03/09/2026

Ka rawe! Congratulations to our students for their success in the 3MT finals!
⭐️ PhD winner – Jim Davies, Sciences, Psychology: Of Mice and Men: Modelling Alzheimer’s
⭐️ Peoples’ choice – Jenna Gawn, Sciences (Christchurch), Psychology: Every health behaviour counts: lifestyle behaviours and youth mental well-being