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Contact details +6449793624

Elle Brittain

Lecturer in Psychology

School of Psychology

Dr Eleanor Brittain (she/her/ia) is Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa and Ngāti Rakaipaaka. She is a Lecturer in Te Kura Hinengaro Tangata, School of Psychology, based on the Pukeahu, Wellington campus. She is also a clinical psychologist.

Her research focuses on issues pertinent to Māori, including research projects that have explored Māori psychology and wellbeing. With experience in implementing methodologies grounded in the values of Kaupapa Māori research theory, her research practice is predominantly qualitative. Ultimately she sees her work as in service of communities in order to facilitate change, especially for Māori and groups who have greater need.

Professional

Contact details

  • Location: 7C 54, Block 7
    Campus: Pukeahu - Wellington

Research Expertise

Research Interests

I am interested in Māori experiences as related broadly to psychology, including Māori wellbeing, wairua, spirituality, culturally tailored psychological interventions, equity in mental health, as well as racism and anti-racism. I am eager to understand sites of crisis as well as sites of resistance and strength for Māori, in order to contribute meaningfully to knowledge and to initiate action. As a colleague of the Centre for Indigenous Psychologies, I have an appreciation for Indigenous psychologies and an openness to research in this area. From a methodological perspective, I am enthusiastic about qualitative approaches that focus on meaning-making, namely narrative inquiry, narrative psychology, and discourse analysis. 

Thematics

Health and Well-being

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology (170106): Kaupapa Maori Psychology (170108): Psychology (170100): Psychology And Cognitive Sciences (170000)

Keywords

Māori; wellbeing; wairua; spirituality; Indigenous psychologies; racism. 

Research Outputs

Journal

Maydell, E., Tuffin, K., & Brittain, E. (2022). The effect of media populism on racist discourse in New Zealand. Critical Discourse Studies. 19(3), 309-325
[Journal article]Authored by: Brittain, E., Maydell, E.
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Tuffin, K., Brittain, E., & Maydell, E. (2018). Psychology, community, and the recovering racist. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology. 28(4), 272-283
[Journal article]Authored by: Brittain, E., Maydell, E.
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Brittain, E., & Tuffin, K. (2017). Ko tehea te ara tika? A discourse analysis of Maori experience in the criminal justice system. New Zealand Journal of Psychology. 46(2), 99-107
[Journal article]Authored by: Brittain, E.
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Consultancy and Languages

Languages

  • Te Reo Māori
    Last used: Today
    Spoken ability: Average
    Written ability: Average

Teaching and Supervision

Teaching Statement

I teach undergraduate courses in Indigenous psychologies and clinical psychology. I also have input to the postgraduate clinical psychology training programme on the Pukeahu, Wellington campus. 

Contact Supervisor

Graduate Supervision Statement

I value collaboration and I approach research supervision with a focus on relational and collaborative engagement. Integral to my background has been a passion for engaging with and working alongside people. As an early-career academic, I view supervision as an opportunity for mutual learning and development.  

I am happy to supervise projects that align with my research interests and expertise in topics related to Māori wellbeing, wairua, spirituality, Indigenous psychologies, culturally tailored psychological interventions, equity in mental health, as well as racism and anti-racism. I am primarily open to projects that use qualitative approaches, namely narrative inquiry, narrative psychology, and discourse analysis. 


Summary of Doctoral Supervision

Position Current Completed
Co-supervisor 1 0

Current Doctoral Supervision

Co-supervisor of:

  • Erani Motu - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Wairuatanga: Exploring the understanding and implementation of wairua-informed practice with rangatahi Māori in a youth forensic setting.

Media and Links