Dr Anita Mak

Biography

Anita has authored or co-authored over 90 peer-reviewed publications and professional manuals, mainly in the areas of acculturation, stress and coping, psychosocial adjustment in challenging life transitions, and adolescent problem behaviours. She is the leader of a national priority project funded by the Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching, titled “Internationalisation at Home: Enhancing intercultural capabilities of Business and Health teachers, students and curricula”. 

She is the co-developer of the EXCELL (Excellence in Cultural Experiential Learning and Leadership) Intercultural Skills Program, an evidence-based behavioural program for developing sociocultural competencies. The Program has been introduced to over 100 educational institutions in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK, and the Netherlands.

Teaching Areas

  • Health psychology
  • Psychological measurement
  • Intercultural communication and social competence
  • Personality

Research Interests

  • Acculturation and intercultural contact
  • Internationalisation of the curriculum
  • Stress, coping, and health
  • Evaluation of social skills training
  • Adolescent problem behaviours

Current and Recent University Service

  • Chair, University Student Appeals Committee
  • Member, University International Education Committee
  • Faculty of Health Research Leaders’ Group
  • Head, Discipline of Psychology (2010 – 2011)

Selected Refereed Publications

Mak, A. S. (in press). Embedding Intercultural competence development in the health psychology curriculum. Psychology Learning and Teaching.

Mak, A. S., & Kennedy, M. (2012). Internationalising the student experience: Preparing instructors to embed intercultural skills in the curriculum. Innovative Higher Education. DOI 10.1007/s10755-02-9213-4

Mak, A. S., & Kim, I. (2011). Korean international students’ coping resources and psychological adjustment in Australia. OMNES: The Journal of Multicultural Society, 2 (1), 56-84.

Mak, A. S. (June, 2011). Facilitating intercultural interactions to enhance international students’ psychosocial adjustment. InPsych: The Bulletin of the Australian Psychological Society Ltd., 16-17.

Mak, A. S. (2010). Enhancing academics’ capability to engage multicultural classes and internationalize at home. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 22 (3), 365-373.

Kalek, S., Mak, A. S., & Khawaja, N. G. (2010). Intergroup relations and Muslims’ mental health in Western societies: An Australian case study. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 5, 160-193.

Mak, A. S. (2010). Sociocultural competence for career success and social integration: The case of Asians in Australia. In Leong, C. H. (Ed.), Intercultural Relations in Asia: Migration and work effectiveness (pp. 127-150). Singapore: World Scientific Publishing.

Cole, K., Daly, A., & Mak, A. S. (2009). Good for the soul: The relationship between work, wellbeing and psychological capital. Journal of Socio-Economics, 38, 464-474.

Mak, A. S., & Buckingham, K. (2007). Beyond communication courses: Are there benefits in adding skills-based EXCELLTM Sociocultural Training? International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 31, 277-291.

Vearing, A., & Mak, A. S. (2007). Big five personality and effort-reward imbalance factors in employees’ depressive symptoms. Personality and Individual Differences, 43, 1744-1755.

Mak, A. S., Blewett, K., & Heaven, P. C. L. (2004). Gender and personality influences in adolescent threat and challenge appraisals and depressive symptoms. Personality and Individual Differences, 36, 1483-1496.

Mak, A. S., Heaven, P. C. L., & Rummery, A. (2003). The role of group identity and personality domains as indicators of self-reported delinquency. Psychology, Crime, and Law, 9, 9-18.

Nesdale, D., & Mak, A. S. (2003). Ethnic identification, self-esteem and immigrant psychological health. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 27, 23-40.

Mak, A. S. (2001). Relocating careers: Hong Kong professionals and managers in Australia. Hong Kong: Centre of Asian Studies Press, University of Hong Kong.

Mak, A. S., & Nesdale, D. (2001). Migrant distress: The role of perceived racial discrimination and coping resources. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 31 (12), 2632-2647.

Mak, A. S., & Mueller, J. (2001). Negative affectivity, perceived occupational stress, and health during organisational restructuring: A follow up study. Psychology and Health, 16, 125-137.

Mak, A. S., Westwood, M. J., Ishiyama, F. I., & Barker, M. C. (1999). Optimising conditions for learning sociocultural competencies for success. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 23 (1), 77-90.

Fan, C., & Mak, A. S. (1998). Measuring social self-efficacy in a culturally diverse student population. Social Behaviour and Personality, 26 (2), 131-144.

Mak, A. S. (1993). A self-report delinquency scale for Australian adolescents. Australian Journal of Psychology, 45 (2), 75-79.

For a more complete list, email Anita Mak. 

Selected Awards and Grants

  • 2010 Australian Learning and Teaching Council Grants Scheme Priority Project (PP10-1080) Internationalisation at home: Enhancing intercultural capabilities of business and health teachers, students and curricula
  • 2007 Carrick Award for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning, for leadership in developing students cross-cultural awareness and social skills for transition to university life, professional preparation and lifelong learning
  • 2007 University of Canberra (UC) Teaching Grant on Internationalising the Student Experience
  • 2007 UC Harmony Day Individual Award for ongoing service in equity and diversity
  • 2005 UC Vice-Chancellors Certificate of Commendation for Enhancing and Contributing to the University & Regional Community 
  • Competitive Grants from various sources (totalling over $1.1 million)

Selected Other Activities and Achievements

  • Anita has completed consultancies in staff training and diversity research for various ACT, national and international organisations, including IDP Education Australia, Melbourne University Dunlop Asia Leadership Program, Griffith University, James Cook University, the Australian National University, University of Canberra, University of New South Wales, University of South Australia, University of Southern Queensland, University of British Columbia (Canada), the Netherlands Organisation for International Cooperation in Higher Education, Victoria University of Wellington (NZ), and Australian Volunteers International.

Professional Qualifications and Memberships

  • Registered Psychologist 
  • Member, Australian Psychological Society (APS)
  • Member, APS College of Health Psychologists 
  • Member, Society for Personality and Social Psychology
  • Member, Society of Australasian Social Psychologists