Other Academic Papers

The following papers were written as part of my PhD research but did not find their way into the final thesis.  Some were published, some were presented at conferences – which sometimes included a Powerpoint presentation that can be downloaded here by clicking on the ppt icon .

Papers with a  icon can be downloaded in pdf format.  Note that some papers have no pdf download icon because they are part of the Exegesis so instead a link is given to the Exegesis page where you can view or download them.

2001

Suicide – Mental Illness or Spiritual Crisis?       [Abstract]

My first ever paper, presented at the  Exclusion and Embrace  conference in Melbourne.  It pre-dates my PhD research and is included here primarily for the historical/sentimental record.  In it I make the common mistake of the novice by trying to say too much in one paper.  So it’s over-long, and somewhat dated, but still surprisingly close to my thinking today, more than a decade later.

2002

The Many Languages of Suicide      [Abstract]

A sentimental favourite.  The first paper of my PhD, presented at the 2002 SPA (Suicide Prevention Australia) conference, and later published in the Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy (JCPCP, Vol 5, No 3, Autumn 2005, p145) in the UK.  It argues for the recognition of the first-person voice of suicidality – in our own words.

The Search for Self and Spirit in Suicidology        [Abstract]

A paper written for and presented at an in-house seminar at Victoria University on “Courageous Research: Exploring new Methodologies and Innovations in Presenting New Knowledge”.  An important academic paper for me as it focused my attention on different ways of knowing and the innovative research methods that are required.  It was also the beginning for me of realising and appreciating the important distinction between finding your voice and articulating or expressing your voice.

2003

The Exegesis as a Scholarly Voice of Subjective Experience    (no paper, just the ppt)

Presented at a symposium on Illuminating the Exegesis at Ballarat University that explored the role of the exegesis in a (so-called) ‘creative thesis’.  As a PhD student, it was a forum where I could explain – and justify and defend – how I was using the exegesis to help give academic credibility to the first-person (subjective) voice that I was using in the other volume of my thesis – yup, the book Thinking About Suicide.

Self, Soul  and Spirit – Suicidology’s Blind-Spots?  

The paper INTEGRAL SUICIDOLOGY in the Exegesis began life as a paper titled Self, Soul and Spirit – Suicidology’s Blind-Spots?, which was written for and presented at the 2003 conference of Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA).  This was later revised (only slightly) and given the title Integral Suicidology – Bringing self and soul to Suicidology when it was accepted for publication in AQAL, The Journal of Integral Theory and Practice (Winter 2005, Vol. 1, No. 4).  I’ve not included these other versions here, just the ppt of the presentation.

2004

Bridging the Spirituality Gap   

The paper BRIDGING THE SPIRITUALITY GAP in the Exegesis was first written for a VICSERV conference on Recovery – challenging the paradigm, and subsequently published in their journal New Paradigm.  The paper was also presented at the national conference of the Institute of Australasian Psychiatrists (IAP) with the theme Exploring the Options  Complementary Approaches to Psychiatry. It was also published  the Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy (JCPCP, Vol 5, No 4, Winter 2005, p 201).

A Sociology of Suicidology 

The paper AN ANTHROPOLOGY OF SUICIDOLOGY in the Exegesis was written for and presented (and won an award) at the annual conference of The Australian Sociological Association (TASA) on Revisioning Institutions – Change in the 21st Century.  It was originally titled A Sociology of Suicidology (didn’t want to antagonise the sociologists) but was re-titled An Anthropology as I felt this gave more emphasis on the cultural, as well as social, contexts of Suicidology.