Dr Katherine Hurrell
Centre Director, Office of the Dean
BSc Psychology (Macquarie University) PgDip Forensic Psychology, with Distinction (University of Western Sydney) Master of Clinical Psychology, with Distinction (University of Wollongong) PhD (Macquarie University)
Dr Katherine Hurrell joined the Sydney College of Divinity in February 2023. She is the Director of a new centre of excellence that will foster interdisciplinary scholarship, research and professional development among students, faculty and working professionals. Katherine brings experience from her tenure in previous higher education leadership, including her former role as a Director of Graduate Studies (Alphacrucis University-College), and where she guided the establishment of a student wellbeing centre and counselling awards. Katherine was also the recipient of the 2022 award for Excellence in Teaching, recognising her broad and deep contributions to the quality of learning and teaching.
Katherine obtained her PhD on a full scholarship from Macquarie University (Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarship), which examined the role of parenting factors and emotion regulation in children diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Her thesis was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Commendation for Academic Excellence and she had the privilege of presenting her findings at the World Congress of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies conference (WCBCT) in Peru.
As a registered Clinical Psychologist, Katherine enjoys the blend of her academic and professional roles. In her private practice, she provides therapeutic and assessment services, specialised wellbeing sessions to pastors and leaders, and engages in speaking events. Katherine is especially passionate about the intersection of psychology, ministry and human flourishing, and finds this a rewarding and energising sphere of work.