The Daphne Keats Oration | National Science Week

The College of Engineering Science and Environment and the University of Newcastle is proud to present the inaugural Daphne Keats Oration, a public lecture honouring the legacy of Professor Daphne Keats, a pioneer in cross-cultural psychology.

Join us on Thursday 14 August 2025, from 5:30 – 7:00 PM in X101 at NUSpace as Professor Belinda Liddell, the Daphne Keats Chair in Cross-Cultural Psychology, delivers the first oration. 

The event will be hosted by Professor Craig Simmons, Pro Vice-Chancellor.

The Daphne Keats Oration celebrates the role of psychological sciences in addressing global challenges. 

This year’s lecture, delivered by Professor Belinda Liddell, will explore one of the most pressing humanitarian crises of our time: the global refugee crisis. Drawing on her extensive research, Professor Liddell will examine the mental health challenges faced by displaced populations and the critical need for evidence-based, culturally responsive psychological support.

Central to this discussion is Professor Daphne Keats’ belief that ‘psychology needed to open its windows to the world’—a sentiment that remains as relevant today as ever. This lecture will explore:

• The global scale of the refugee crisis and its implications for mental health.

• Why traditional mental health treatments are often less effective for refugees and how psychology must adapt.

• The crucial role of community, family, and social environments in post-migration adjustment.

• Cutting-edge neuroscience studies and community research that provide deeper insight into refugee experiences and inform more targeted, effective interventions.
  

Through case studies and research findings, Professor Liddell will highlight the urgent need for a more inclusive, evidence-based approach to psychological support for displaced populations. The talk will challenge us to consider the role we can play - whether as researchers, practitioners, policymakers, or community members - in creating a more supportive and effective system for those affected by forced migration.

As part of the University of Newcastle’s 60th anniversary, we celebrate six decades of groundbreaking research, equity, and engagement with our communities. We invite students, staff, psychologists, and the wider public to be part of this inspiring event.