After gaining her PhD in Organisational Psychology, Emeritus Professor Tharenou assessed applicants for entry into the RAAF and undertook high-level consulting projects for corporate companies, before forging an academic career.
Driven by her passion for psychology, Emeritus Professor Tharenou has chosen to leave a generous donation in her Will, through the sale of her estate, to the Psychology teaching and research program at Flinders University.
“I know that Colleges within Australian universities are tight for money and these days don’t control their own budgets, so I want the Psychology program to decide where and when to spend the bequest, as the academics are best placed to recognise the need,” says Emeritus Professor Tharenou.
“I hope the impact of this support will be that psychology students benefit from new education and research opportunities.” Emeritus Professor Tharenou
Professor Lydia Woodyatt, head of the Psychology teaching program at Flinders, says the financial support is much needed and that Emeritus Professor Tharenou’s bequest will make a huge impact on the program and its students.
“With an investment like this, Flinders can continue to produce world-leading research and nation-leading education in Psychology and Psychological Science,” says Professor Woodyatt, noting that Flinders is ranked number one in Australia for Undergraduate Teaching Quality in Psychology by the 2024 Good Universities Guide.
“These funds could help new discoveries in areas such as workplace and community mental health and wellbeing, learning in neurotypical and neurodivergent people, and how humans are shaped by their interactions with technology and AI.
“It will enable us to enhance our students’ learning experiences and research impact. For example, creating opportunities for students to travel for research collaboration and conferences or take on remote placement opportunities, scholarships to enhance equity and access, or start-up funds to support early career researchers or collaborative projects with industry.”
Emeritus Professor Tharenou says she experienced many of these opportunities during her psychology studies and her long and successful academic career – from Queensland University of Technology and University of Queensland, where she attained associate professor status, to 11 years at Flinders University that culminated as a College Vice-President and Executive Dean.
Beginning her time at Flinders University in 2010 in the role of Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Emeritus Professor Tharenou then concurrently held the role of interim Dean of the Flinders Business School from 2014. In July 2017 she was elevated to Vice-President and Executive Dean, College of Business Government and Law, until she retired in January 2021.
Reflecting on her academic career success, Emeritus Professor Tharenou says:
“I learned a lot about leading academic staff and found that I cared greatly about students and ensuring their growth and success.” Emeritus Professor Tharenou
As her professional roles evolved, Emeritus Professor Tharenou says she never lost her passion for psychology, especially organisational psychology – though admits her executive roles were equally rewarding and challenging.
In addition to being a successful academic and administrator, Emeritus Professor Tharenou is recognised as a leader in research and was invited to chair the ARC’s College of Social, Behavioural and Economic Sciences. She is currently listed in the top two percent of researchers worldwide in her field of business and management.
On leaving her bequest, Emeritus Professor Tharenou says, “Flinders has been very good to me, so this bequest combines my love of psychology and my gratitude to the University for supporting me during my career.”
