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Ms Philippa Specker
Psychologist

Ms Philippa Specker

Science
School of Psychology

Philippa Specker is a PhD candidate at the Refugee Trauma and Recovery Program (RTRP), in the School of Psychology at the University of New South Wales. Philippa's research focuses on understanding the psychological mechanisms that underpin trauma-related psychopathology among survivors of persecution and displacement. Philippa is also a Psychologist (Clinical Registrar) and specialises in providing evidence-based culturally sensitive therapies to refugees and asylum-seekers suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
E-mail
p.specker@psy.unsw.edu.au
  • Journal articles | 2022
    Specker P; Nickerson A, 2022, 'An Experimental Investigation of Spontaneous Emotion Regulation Variability, Negative Affect, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Traumatized Refugees', Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/tra0001217
    Journal articles | 2020
    Byrow Y; Pajak R; Specker P; Nickerson A, 2020, 'Perceptions of mental health and perceived barriers to mental health help-seeking amongst refugees: A systematic review', Clinical Psychology Review, vol. 75, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2019.101812
    Journal articles | 2019
    Specker P; Nickerson A, 2019, 'Investigating the relationship between distinctive patterns of emotion regulation, trauma exposure and psychopathology among refugees resettled in Australia: a latent class analysis', European Journal of Psychotraumatology, vol. 10, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2019.1661814
    Journal articles | 2018
    Specker P; Liddell BJ; Byrow Y; Bryant RA; Nickerson A, 2018, 'A factor analytic investigation of DSM-5 PTSD symptoms in a culturally diverse sample of refugees resettled in Australia', Conflict and Health, vol. 12, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13031-018-0155-z

2020 UNSW Science Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Award; The Royal Society of New South Wales (RSNSW) Scholarship; International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) Outstanding Student Achievement Award; Society of Mental Health Research (SMHR) Team Award for Impactful Mental Health Research, Joint-First Place

2019 Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ASTSS) Student Research Award, Second Place

2018 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) Student Poster Award, Honorable Mention; Australian Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AACBT) Travel Award; UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship

2017 Sydney University Alumni Award, Convocation Medal for Undergraduate Achievement and Community Contribution 

2016 Sydney University Honours Scholarship

2014 Sydney University Dean’s Merit List; Sydney University Helen Beh Award for Citizenship

Refereed Journal Articles 

Byrow, Y., Pajak, R., Specker, P., & Nickerson, A. (2020). Perceptions of mental health and perceived barriers to mental health help-seeking amongst refugees: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 75, 101812.  

Specker, P., & Nickerson, A. (2019). Investigating the relationship between distinctive patterns of emotion regulation, trauma exposure and psychopathology among refugees resettled in Australia: A latent class analysis. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 10(1), 1661814.  

Specker, P., Liddell, B. J., Byrow, Y., Bryant R.A., & Nickerson, A. (2018). A factor analytic investigation of DSM-5 PTSD symptoms in a culturally diverse sample of refugees resettled in Australia. Conflict and Health, 12(26), 1-12.  

Specker, P. (2016). Human Warehouse for Marginalised Peoples: The Mundane Terror of Imprisonment in the Indigenous Australian Context. Philament Journal of Literature, Arts and Culture, 21, 45-59.  

Other Publications 

Specker, P., Nickerson, A & Liddell, B. (2021). For refugees in Australia, life during COVID lockdowns recalls the trauma of war and persecution. The Conversation, 18 August, https://theconversation.com/for-refugees-in-australia-life-during-covid-lockdowns-recalls-the-trauma-of-war-and-persecution-165884