Following concerns raised by academic psychiatrists within the College in 2021, the Board established the Advancing the Profile of Academic Psychiatry Steering Group (the Steering Group) to support the Board in providing oversight and direction for work to advance the profile of clinical academic psychiatry across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Academic psychiatrists play a pivotal role in the field of psychiatry by integrating clinical practice with academic research and teaching. Their contributions are crucial for the primary investigation, translation, and dissemination of new knowledge regarding the prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and evidence-based management of psychiatric conditions and other mental illnesses.

The Steering Group comprised of:

• Prof Neeraj Gill (Chair)
• Prof Dan Siskind 
• Prof Susanna Every-Palmer 
• Dr Korinne Northwood  
• Prof Shuichi Suetani     
• A/Prof Nicola Warren    
• Prof Michael Berk           
• Dr Katherine Eggleston 
• Prof Sam Harvey            
• Prof Megan Galbally     
• Dr Nick O’Connor

The Steering Group published three papers in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry outlining the concerns faced by academic psychiatrists, the need to revive academic psychiatry, the importance of gender equity within academic psychiatry and the findings of a preliminary survey. 

• Reviving academic psychiatry in Australia and New Zealand
• Renewal of academic psychiatry without addressing gender equity will render it Jurassic rather than endangered
• Research Letter: The state of academic psychiatry in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia: Data from a survey of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists membership

The Steering Group worked alongside Aspex Consulting to develop a report exploring the state of academic psychiatry in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

The work included:

• A literature review.
• A survey to the College membership.
• Targeted interviews with key stakeholders, including:
  
  
  • Academic Psychiatry Steering Group                                                  
  • Jurisdictional workforce representatives                                          
  • Heads of academic schools of psychiatry                                        
  • Nominated heads of hospital departments (hospital CEOs)                                    
  • Representatives from Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK)                                        
  • Representatives of the Canadian Psychiatric Association                       
  • Current trainees in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia                                          
  • Key College committees.

Workshops were held with interested stakeholders identified from the surveys and interviews to explore:

• Current models of undergraduate and specialist training offered in overseas jurisdictions. 
• Other options and models for specialist training that might be considered in an Australian context. 
• Issues and considerations for ongoing career pathways in academic psychiatry across Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia.    

Following the Board’s review in October 2024, the report has been forwarded to the Committee for Research to develop further resources, including case studies and benchmarking. 

College members will be updated as the work of the Committee for Research progresses.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact policy@ranzcp.org