FEATURE
Dr Ken Rigby OAM National Centre Against Bullying
dedicated to reducing bullying and enhancing the wellbeing of young people”. In June 2020, Ken was awarded the Medal (OAM) in the General Division of The Order of Australia of the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List “for services to Education and to the wellbeing of young people”.
Dr Ken Rigby is “Australia’s foremost expert in effective prevention and intervention on bullying in the world”. He was born in Lancashire, England, and emigrated with his wife, Jean, in 1959 to Australia where he became naturalised. Since then he has helped to populate Australia to the tune of four children, 14 grandchildren and (to date) three great-grandchildren.
Ken spoke with us recently via an email interview. Vital Stats: Full name/Qualifications/ Accreditations Ken Rigby, BSc (Econ) Hons (London); Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Leicester University); PhD (Psychology (Adelaide University).
Ken is an Adjunct Professor (Research) in the School of Education and the Hawke Research Institute at the University of South Australia. He is a long term member of the National (Australian) Centre Against Bullying (NCAB – See www.ncab. org.au). After completing an Honours degree in Economics and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at the University of Leicester, England, he taught in high schools for 10 years, first in Essex, England; then in Tasmania and South Australia. He gained a PhD in Psychology at the University of Adelaide and was registered as a psychologist in South Australia. From 1969 to 1996, he was employed as a lecturer in psychology and research methods at the University of South Australia. His work has focused mainly on bullying in schools. He undertakes research, provides workshops for teachers and parents, speaks at conferences, periodically acts as a consultant for government bodies and produces books, questionnaires, DVDs and podcasts on bullying designed to assist teachers and parents. Since 1990 he has contributed more than 100 publications addressing different aspects of the study.
What did you study at university? Economics, Education, Psychology. What did you learn during your tertiary education – not just academically, but what ideas did you form and what perceptions? Did any of your views change significantly when you went to university? I learned to be more analytical and concerned with evidence – and less prone to believe what I wanted to believe. My basic views did not change much. What is your earliest memory of having an interest in your field? I observed and experienced some bullying in primary school. In 1990 I became aware of research being conducted into school bullying and heard the claim being made by the foremost researcher in the field, Professor Dan Olweus from Norway, that the prevalence of school bullying could be greatly reduced and a great deal of human misery thereby eliminated.
What has been your pathway since graduating? What was your first job after graduation and how did that job prepare you for your later Ken was presented with an award in June 2012 by positions? Any lessons learnt? the Australian National Centre Against Bullying My work before going to university was (NCAB) “in recognition of a lifetime’s work significant – two years of National Service in the www.graduatehouse.com.au
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