Dr Brock Bastian
PhD Graduate '07
Brock completed his PostGraduate Diploma in Psychology at Melbourne University in 1999, took two years out to travel to enrich his life experiences before starting on his masters and then PhD studies at the Department. Brock's research thesis is: The Qualities of Peacemakers: Personal Cognition and Group Processes. Brock has joined the Department as a research fellow upon his graduation.
"I chose to study Psychology, being interested in the ideas that the discipline had to offer as a social science subject, and how it provided direct avenues to put these ideas into practice. I have always enjoyed working with people so gaining a better understanding of how people operate and function appeared to be a good way to further these interests.
Psychology has provided a lot of opportunities that I was barely aware of when I first started. I have found that a degree and further qualifications in psychology are highly valued in a number of areas relating to welfare and organisational or business contexts. Psychology graduates are often valued for their writing ability, applied statistical knowledge, and their understanding of how people and teams operate effectively."