Dr Renu Narchal
- Biography
- Areas of Research / Teaching Expertise
- Grants / Current Projects
- Awards and Recognition
- Publications
- Engagement at UWS
- Professional Memberships
- Professional Activities
- Contact Details
Biography
After an academic career lasting over 15 years at Lady Sri Ram College (11 years as a Reader & Senior Lecturer in Psychology; including 2 years as Head, Department of Psychology) and Daulat Ram College (5 years as Lecturer in Psychology), University of Delhi, Delhi, India, I migrated to Australia in 2000. Prior to joining University of Western Sydney in 2002, I worked at the Department of Community Services (Child protection) and Department of Ageing Disabilities and Home Care (Psychologist). These Public Service positions provided first hand experience with multi cultural families in Australia.
At UWS, I am involved in Postgraduate and Undergraduate teaching. I also supervise research at the Masters, Hons and Post Graduate Diploma levels.
My current research interests and publications are in the area of health and wellbeing. As a developmental psychologist, I am keen on understanding the impact of life events on development, more so from the point of view of migration and settlement issues like loneliness, general ethnic discrimination, psychological distress, help seeking, language barriers, job-seeking challenges to mention a few. I am one of the few researchers to apply the Attachment Framework in understanding migratory experiences.
Presently I am conducting research in a much neglected area in migrant settlement, the contribution of children in migrant settlement. The research revolves around adults who remember their childhood experiences of assisting their parents by interpreting and translating information as ‘language brokers’.
Areas of Research / Teaching Expertise
Research Interests:
Health and wellbeing
Attachment, psychological distress and wellbeing
Social cognition ( e.g. general ethnic discrimination) from a migrants perspective
Stress coping and immune system
Teaching:
Developmental Psychology (101682)
Developmental Psychopathology (100530)
Grants / Current Projects
Research Grants
External
External research contract: Successful external research contract from MRC Baulkham Hills, Holryod, Parramatta (2008) for project entitled: Apply, Apply Negative Reply: Understanding Job-Seeking Experiences of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Job-Seekers in Australia.
External research contract: Successful external research contract from MRC Baulkham Hills, Holryod, Parramatta. (2006-07). Project report submitted to industry partner for the project: Attachment, Trust, Distress and Help seeking in Refugees and Humanitarian Entrants.
External research contract from MRC Baulkham Hills, Holroyd Parramatta (2004-2005) for project entitled: Loneliness Narratives: A Somali Experience
Internal
Seed Grant for project entitled Attachment Styles and loneliness narratives of migrant students at University of Western Sydney
PsyHealth Grant for project entitled Trust in migrant settlement
PsyHealth Grant for project entitled Attachment Trust and Help seeking in refugees.
Awards and Recognition
I was awarded a fellowship from the Department of Psychology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India, to do my PhD in the area of experimental psychology (mental imagery and perception).
Publications
Selected Publications in Refereed Journals
Narchal, R., Cowin, L., Wilson, I. & Harding, D. (2011). First of the first: Medical students’ reflections of personal growth. The International Journal of Learning. (In Press).
Shinnaoui, D. & Narchal, R. (2010). Brain gain to brain waste: Individual biases, prejudice, and discounting of migrant skills. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 11(4), 423-437, DOI: 10.1007/s12134-010-0151-7
Narchal, R. (2007). Migration: destruction and reconstruction of the self. e-Journal of Applied Psychology, 3(1) 55-64.
Narchal, R. & Handa, M. (1998), Role of sex, Imageability, Vivid-unvivid print advertising in consumer involvement. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 24, 1-2, 87-91.
Narchal, R. & Broota, K. D. (1988), Sex differences in Vividness of Visual Imagery under eyes open and eyes closed conditions. Journal of Mental Imagery. 12(3&4), 81-88.
Narchal, R. & Juneja, M. (1987), Children's drawings as measures of intellectual maturity. A comparative study of orphan and normal children. Journal of Personality and Clinical Studies. 3(1), 39-41.
Narchal, R. & Shukla, J. D. (1986), Family size and its effect on Personality and adjustment. Journal of Personality and Clinical Studies. 2(1), 35-40.
Narchal, R. & Broota, K.D. (1984) Imageability of words and recognition threshold. Journal of Psychological Researches. 28(1), 29-33
Narchal, R., Kishore, R. & Alagh, H. (1984). Job Satisfaction: Some correlates. Productivity. XXV, 3,367-370.
Publications in Conference Proceedings:
Narchal, R. (2006,September.) At Home and lonely? Paper presented at the joint conference of the Austrialian Psychological Society and The New Zealand Psychological Society, Auckland, New Zealand.
Narchal, R. (2005, October). Impact of Gender Imageability and Advertising styles on Consumer Involvement. Conference Proceedings CAESS Research Conference, University of Western Sydney, Bankstown Campus
Refereed Abstracts Published (Since 2003):Narchal, R. (2008). Role of Attachment in the perception of general ethnic discrimination and stress. Abstract published in the proceedings of the XXIX International Congress of Psychology 21-25 July, Berlin, Germany.
Narchal, R. (2007). The meaning of loneliness in the life of an immigrant: A Somali experience. Abstract published in the proceedings of the Xth European Congress of Psychology, 3-6 July, Prague, Czech Republic.
Narchal, R. (2007). Vividness of visual imagery and creativity: A developmental perspective in adult males. Abstract published in the proceedings of the13th European Conference on Developmental Psychology, 21-25 August, Jena, Germany.
Narchal, R. (2006). Do cognitive styles imaging and thinking instructions influence consumer involvement? Abstract published in the proceedings of the 26th International Conference of Applied Psychology, 16 -21 July, Athens, Greece
Narchal, R. (2005). Gender Cognitive styles, brand names and consumer involvement. Abstract published in the proceedings of the 9th European Congress of psychology, 3-8 July, Granada, Spain.
Narchal, R. (2005). Attachment styles, emotional intelligence and perceived loneliness. Abstract published in the proceedings of the XII European Conference on Developmental Psychology, 24-2 August, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Narchal, R. (2004). Loneliness induced stress coping strategies and immunity. Australian Journal of Psychology, 56,211.
Narchal, R. (2004). Peer relations and their impact on adolescent development. Abstract published in the proceedings of the 28th International Congress of Psychology, 8-13 Aug, Beijing, China
Narchal, R. (2003). Imagery evoking ability of words and recognition threshold. Australian Journal of Psychology, 55, 67.
Engagement at UWS
Developed a partnership between Baulkham Hills Holroyd Parramatta Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) & UWS. The MRC was awarded Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Award under the category ‘UWS Partnership Award’ for two successive years, 2007 and 2008
Completed two research projects related to migrant issues (loneliness and barriers to help seeking)
Started a new project entitled ‘Apply apply negative reply: Understanding job-seeking experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse job-seekers in Australia’
A novel community engagement project ‘Each-One-Assist-One: Newly Arrived Migrant Support Group’ was developed to assist newly arrived migrants in their job-seeking endeavours and to provide UWS students a first hand interaction opportunity. This project truly reflects a mutual benefit for the community, MRC, UWS and participating students.
Inernational Engagement
Four years experience in directing, managing and co-coordinating National Social Service (NSS) projects at Lady Shriram College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.
Professional Memberships
Registered Psychologist with NSW Psychologists Registration Board
Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
Member of the APS College of Developmental and Educational Psychologists
Member of PsyHealth Research group at University of Western Sydney
Life Member of the Delhi Association of Clinical Psychologists (DACP), India
Member of APS Child and Family Interest Group (CAFIG)
Board Member of Baulkham Hills Holroyd Parramatta Migrant Resource Centre
Professional Activities
Project Reports submitted to Industry Partners:
Narchal, R. (2006). Research report entitled ‘Loneliness narratives: A Somali experience, presented to the Migrant Resource Centre Baulkham Hills, Holroyd, Parramatta. The report was launched in the form of a CD on the world refugee day in 2006.
Narchal, R. (2008). Research report entitled ‘Attachment trust distress and help seeking in refugees and humanitarian entrants’ submitted to the industry partner, The Migrant Resource Centre Baulkham Hills, Holroyd, Parramatta.
Theme Sessions Chaired at Conferences (Since 2003):
Narchal R. (2008). XXIX International Congress of Psychology 21-25 July, Berlin, Germany. Theme Session: Culture and Human development.
Narchal, R. (2006). Joint Conference of the APS and The New Zealand Psychological society, 26 -30 Sept, Auckland, New Zealand. Theme Session: Culture
Narchal, R. (2004). 28th International Congress of Psychology, 8th- 13th Aug, Beijing, China Theme session: Human Development.
Narchal, R. (2003). 30th Australasian Experimental Psychology Conference, UWS, Sydney, Australia. Theme session: Cognitive Development.
Conference Presentations (Since 2003):
Narchal, R. (2011). Language brokering, role reversal, attachment, self-efficacy and psychological wellbeing in culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Abstract accepted for an oral paper presentation at the 15th European Conference on Developmental Psychology, Bergen Norway, 23-27 August 2011.
Narchal, R. (2011). Attach me if you can: Migration, loneliness, attachment and close relationships. Abstract accepted for an oral paper presentation at the 5th International Attachment Conference, Oslo Norway, 19-21 August 2011.
Narchal, R., Cowin, L., Wilson, I. & Harding, D. (2011). First of the first: Medical students’ reflections of personal growth. The International Journal of Learning. Abstract accepted for a virtual paper presentation at The 18th International Conference on Learning at Mauritius 5-8 July.
Narchal, R. (2008). Role of Attachment in the perception of general ethnic discrimination and stress. Paper presented at the XXIX International Congress of Psychology 21-25 July, Berlin, Germany.
Narchal, R. (2007). The meaning of loneliness in the life of an immigrant: A Somali experience'. Paper presented at the Xth European Congress of Psychology, 3 - 6 July, Prague, Czech Republic
Narchal, R. (2006). Do cognitive styles imaging and thinking instructions influence consumer involvement? Paper presented at the 26th International Conference of Applied Psychology, 16 -21 July, Athens, Greece.
Narchal, R. (2005). Gender Cognitive styles, brand names and consumer involvement. Paper presented at the 9th European Congress of psychology, 3-8 July, Granada, Spain.
Narchal, R. (2005). Impact of Gender Imageability and Advertising styles on Consumer Involvement. Paper presented at the College of Arts Education and social Sciences (CAESS) Research Conference 2005, 7 - 9 October, Bankstown Campus.
Narchal, R. (2004). Loneliness induced stress coping strategies and immunity. Paper presented at 37th APS Annual Conference-Psychological Science in Action, 29 Sept – 3 Oct, Convention Centre, Sydney.
Narchal, R. (2004). Peer relations and their impact on adolescent development. Paper presented at the 28th International Congress of Psychology, 8- 13 Aug, Beijing, China.
Narchal, R. (2003). Imagery evoking ability of words and recognition threshold. Paper presented at the 30th Australasian Experimental Psychology Conference, 25-27 April, UWS, NSW. Australia.
Training:
Fulfilled requirements for becoming a ‘Circle of Security Parenting’ Educator in June 2010. Attended 4-day training course with Dr Kent Hoffman at New Haven Connecticut, USA to become a Certified Circle of Security Parenting Educator.
Completed a 10-day training program (18 -27 July, 2007) on the Adult Attachment Projective Picture System (AAP; designed to assess attachment representation in adults) at Mills College Oakland, California, USA. Training was conducted by world authorities and originators of the test, Prof. Carol George and Dr Malcolm West.
Completed a 10-day intensive training on Circle of Security (16-26 June 2008; an early intervention program designed to alter developmental pathways) at Spokane, Washington, USA. Training was conducted by Glen Cooper, Kent Hoffman and Bert Powell (innovators and leading authorities).
Administrative Positions at UWS:
Member of the College of Arts Engagement Committee
Member of the College of Arts Internalization Committee
Member of the School Research Committee
Course advisor for Post Graduate Diploma/4thYear (Specialist Year).
