International Society of Critical Health Psychology

Our blog has been running since 2015 and had many people pitching in to keep it a blog for the Society by the Society. Our latest blog co-editors have just been announced at the latest ISCHP conference. As it happens, all three are kiwis studying health psychology at Massey University. You can read more about them in this post.

Franciska Neuhauser

Franciska is passionate about social justice and the creation of knowledge that disrupts power imbalances and influences structural, systemic, and policy-level change. In particular, she is interested in utilising phenomenological and arts-based research methods to better understand experiences of chronic and life-limiting illnesses and end-of-life.

With a foundation in business management, finance, human resources, marketing, web design, and copywriting, Franciska retrained later in life as a counsellor and wellness coach and brings close on two decades of experience in various editorial roles; sourcing, editing, writing, compiling, and publishing articles, book/product reviews, blog posts, and newsletters; from printed publications to websites and social media. She also holds many years of experience in governance roles – working on committees, executive boards, and leadership teams for various community and professional associations.

Born in Budapest, Hungary, Franciska came to Aotearoa New Zealand in 1983 as a political refugee; and after over three decades living in Auckland, now calls Christchurch home.

Franciska says:

“I believe that the aims of ISCHP align with my personal values and I am excited to be a part of a global Society committed to an international and multi-cultural spirit of collaboration and co-operation.”

Liz Wagenvoort

After 10 years working in Chartered Accountancy firms, Liz decided it was time to explore the world of science and psychology. While she loves all things psychology, her key passion is in chronic illness management. Her career aim is to help people who manage a chronic illness to experience a higher quality of life regardless of their health diagnosis. 

Liz first encountered ISCHP upon commencing studies at Massey University, and it was an exciting moment for her. She says,

I remember thinking that I had finally found my place in the professional world. The values of ISCHP resonate with my own preferences around social justice, and it is a privilege to contribute to the future of ISCHP through serving on the blog editorial team.

Liz loves writing, research, and editing, and looks forward to taking an active role in spreading the word about critical health psychology! 

Jessica Tappin

Jess used to work as a digital marketer and content writer, so she is excited to be combining that with psychology in this role as a blog co-editor. She says that her interest in critical health psychology, like many others, stems from searching for something that was missing in her studies in mainstream psychology. At the undergraduate level, Psychology resonated with her to an extent, but she felt she was learning too much about the individual and not about contextual, environmental, and social dimensions. She says,

The critical aspect of psychology was that missing piece and I found others who were talking about society, people and health in a way that spoke to me, and I could finally relate to.

An enormous welcome to the three new blog co-editors, we look forward to where they will take the blog with their combined passion and expertise!