Free Webinars (6 Sessions in 2025)
Australasian Mission Assessment Project - Webinar Series
Online (Live-Only)
Are you involved in preparing, assessing, or caring for cross-cultural mission workers? This free webinar series is designed for missionary organisations and psychologists, offering practical strategies to improve assessments, align with legal and ethical standards, and enhance worker care. Based on four years of research, these sessions will provide valuable insights to strengthen professional practice and staff support in mission settings.
Webinar Details
Platform: Zoom
Time: Wednesdays, 3:30–5:00 PM (AEDT / AEST)
Cost: Free – register to attend
Dates & Topics
- 12 March – How do we apply the Privacy Law to mission assessments?
- 26 March – What psychometric tests can we use and why?
- 7 May – What is a psychosexual assessment and how might we do it?
- 21 May – Why are personality disorders relevant to missionary teams?
- 30 July – How do we support and include people with autism and ADHD in mission?
- 13 August – Networking event for psychological assessors: Lessons from the New Zealand model
Important Information
- Accessing the Webinar: You will receive the Zoom links once you have registered. Please join each session at the scheduled time.
- Live Event Only: This is a live-only event. No recordings will be made available, so please ensure you attend the sessions in real time.
About the Project
In 2020, Dr Katherine Thompson, together with a team of academics, launched The Australasian Mission Assessment Project, aiming to improve the psychological screening process for cross-cultural mission workers. The goal of this research was to enhance the support systems for those volunteering in mission work, ensuring they thrive in their roles.
The project began with a survey of current assessment practices across Australia and New Zealand, engaging mission CEOs, member care specialists, and professional assessors. In-depth interviews followed, covering topics such as consent and privacy, psychometric testing, mental health screening, and the role of assessment reports in the selection process. The findings have been published in the Journal of Psychology and Theology and presented at Missions Interlink conferences.
Phase I of the study gave rise to further research questions, and Phase II interviews were conducted specifically to go more in depth with topics such as: which psychometric tests are used and why, how can we screen for personality disorders and psychosexual development, and investigating New Zealand’s national standardised assessment process.
These findings have been translated into a practical webinar series designed to apply research insights to real-world mission assessment.
About the Speaker
Dr Katherine Thompson is a Senior Lecturer in Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing and Senior Research Fellow at Melbourne School of Theology and Eastern College Australia. With over 20 years of experience as a researcher, academic, and therapist in youth mental health, she integrates mental health, wellbeing, and Christian faith in her teaching. Her research interests include cross-cultural mission, and she has authored several publications, such as Christ-Centred Mindfulness and The Discipline of Suffering. In addition to her academic role, Katherine maintains a private practice, providing mental health treatment to young people aged 12–25 years. She also offers training to Christian organisations upon invitation. She is most content when sitting in quiet contemplation in nature.