Kat Robertson
MSc Graduate
Contact
Kat Robertson
MSc Graduate
I am an MSc Graduate in Psychology, and my main career goal is to become a permanent lecturer and researcher in Psychology.
My undergraduate education included a double major in Psychology and Political Science, and my primary research interest is in the intersection of these two fields.
My honours research explored Pacific Health Psychology; an area that I am passionate about as I am of Kiribati heritage and also have strong ties to the Solomon Islands. I am very proud that this work resulted in my very first publication.
Humour Psychology is also an interest of mine. My Masters thesis explores perceptions of justification in regard to jokes and how this relates to censorship support.
I have previously been Course Facilitator and Teaching Assistant Co-ordinator for the 300-level Psychology Research Methods and Statistics course at UC, where I delivered my first three-part lecture series on the Philosophy of Science. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and my students also liked them enough to nominate me for lecturer of the year through the undergraduate Psychology Student Society.
I also held the role of head tutor liaison within my department, which I was instrumental in creating. In this role I provided a safe, supportive space for TAs and TACs to meet and discuss their experiences in the role, both positive and negative. I shared this role with another postgraduate student. We also worked with the department to help improve the TA and TAC recruitment and training processes to better prepare those who take on these roles to perform to the best of their abilities. This resulted in the production of a successful and productive training and induction program.
Additionally, I was also part of the Postgraduate Advisory Group and Pacific Advisory Group within the University of Canterbury Student's Association (UCSA).
I am also a founding member of the Postgraduate Society for Psychology, Auditory, Speech, and Therapies (PAST) at the University of Canterbury, where I previously held the positions of Communications Officer and President.
Since handing in my Masters thesis in March 2025 I have been taking a break from full-time academia to pursue other interests before committing to a PhD. The work I have taken on is flexible, and I am still open to part-time research assistant and teaching work.
My undergraduate education included a double major in Psychology and Political Science, and my primary research interest is in the intersection of these two fields.
My honours research explored Pacific Health Psychology; an area that I am passionate about as I am of Kiribati heritage and also have strong ties to the Solomon Islands. I am very proud that this work resulted in my very first publication.
Humour Psychology is also an interest of mine. My Masters thesis explores perceptions of justification in regard to jokes and how this relates to censorship support.
I have previously been Course Facilitator and Teaching Assistant Co-ordinator for the 300-level Psychology Research Methods and Statistics course at UC, where I delivered my first three-part lecture series on the Philosophy of Science. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and my students also liked them enough to nominate me for lecturer of the year through the undergraduate Psychology Student Society.
I also held the role of head tutor liaison within my department, which I was instrumental in creating. In this role I provided a safe, supportive space for TAs and TACs to meet and discuss their experiences in the role, both positive and negative. I shared this role with another postgraduate student. We also worked with the department to help improve the TA and TAC recruitment and training processes to better prepare those who take on these roles to perform to the best of their abilities. This resulted in the production of a successful and productive training and induction program.
Additionally, I was also part of the Postgraduate Advisory Group and Pacific Advisory Group within the University of Canterbury Student's Association (UCSA).
I am also a founding member of the Postgraduate Society for Psychology, Auditory, Speech, and Therapies (PAST) at the University of Canterbury, where I previously held the positions of Communications Officer and President.
Since handing in my Masters thesis in March 2025 I have been taking a break from full-time academia to pursue other interests before committing to a PhD. The work I have taken on is flexible, and I am still open to part-time research assistant and teaching work.