Relationships expert joins QCDFVR
CQUniversity’s Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence (QCDFVR) has welcomed relationships researcher and award-winning educator Dr Raquel Peel to its leadership team.
With extensive expertise in psychology and an advocate for healthy relationships, Dr Peel is well poised for her new role as Head of Course for the Domestic and Family Violence Practice education and training units.
“I have been working as an academic for 10 years now and I still feel the same passion and commitment as I did when I first started,” Dr Peel said.
“My journey as educator in academia started while still completing my honours research in psychology. I see my mission to deliver meaningful learning experiences with passion and enthusiasm and providing students with the quality teaching they deserve.”
Dr Peel also believes in coupling academia with applied industry experience, having previously worked with vulnerable groups at Lifeline and the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre in Townsville.
“I have experience assisting young people’s rehabilitation and reintegration into the community,” she said.
“In this role, I conducted suicide risk assessments and delivered behavioural therapeutic interventions and educational programs, focusing on children with a history of family violence, trauma, and alcohol and drug issues in a multicultural environment.”
Much of Dr Peel’s research is dedicated to addressing these complex societal issues which involves understanding and improving interpersonal relationships, mental health, and suicide prevention.
More recently, her research interests have taken a specific focus on education and upskilling of heathy relationship dynamics, targeting young people and adults.
“I believe dealing with relationship difficulties, including personal and interpersonal issues as well as prevention and crisis intervention for domestic and family violence, to be a public health issue. It is everyone's business,” Dr Peel said.
“My research is founded in the understanding that relationships are dynamic, and individuals need help building skills to be in a healthy relationship and navigating major life milestones.”
Current projects involve understanding how coercive control is presented in intimate relationships, the impact of sexual regret and withdrawal of consent in the dynamic of intimate partners, the influence of online intimate engagements on the lives of people searching for and wanting to establish meaningful relationships.
An avid science communicator, Dr Peel said she is passionate about promoting her academic research with the wider community, providing expert commentary on relationship matters at national and international outlets and regularly contributing to The Conversation.
In 2018 she delivered a TEDx talk on relationship sabotage, which was featured as one of the most popular talks in the TED series ‘How to Be a Better Human’ and TEDxShorts.
“I feel privileged to have been able to share such a powerful message. I receive countless messages each week from individuals wanting to share their stories with me and speak of the impact my talk, and media engagement more broadly, has had on their lives,” Dr Peel said.
“I believe there is strength in knowing we are not alone in our experiences. I have been able to express that and promote change at a personal and community level.
“Relationships are vital for our individual functioning, our potential to flourish, and how we position ourselves in the community.”
