Introduction

Abstract

The introductory chapter begins by describing how this book came together and continues with definitions of peace psychology based on the work of Christie (J Soc Issues 62:1–17, 2006). These definitions delineate peace psychology as a distinct area of research and practice, diverging from the parent discipline recognising the importance of geohistorical context. This provides a rationale for considering the development of peace psychology within a specific context such as Australia. The chapter then describes the process and some of the challenges of writing this book, as well as the book structure. The first section provides a historical context which begins with the situation in Australia prior to European ‘settlement’, the second section details the work of a number of peace psychologists in contemporary Australia, while the final section looks to the future of peace psychology in an Australia that has shifted its place in the world and is like other nations challenged to find solutions to global problems such as climate change. The need to ground peace in our connection to land echoes the original Indigenous concept of peace, in some sense bringing the book full circle.