I am Dr. Jimmy Mai, a teaching and research academic in Psychology at La Trobe University, Australia. Besides my academic pursuits, I’m also a music and technology enthusiast.
In 2021, I completed my PhD in Anthrozoology, the psychology of human-animal relationships. Growing up in a rural town, I was always surrounded by animals, which inspired my PhD research. During my childhood, my parents offered me opportunities to engage in a wide range of interests beyond spending time with my canine friends. These diverse interests and activities gave me a great childhood, preparing me well for my academic, personal, and professional life.
This made me curious about family dynamics and how they help an individual develop into a well-rounded and helpful person, both for themselves and for society. Moving to Australia as an international student opened my eyes to cultural differences. Learning about other cultures made me reflect on my own, the Vietnamese culture. I believe that family is the best place for a person to learn about their culture, and understanding their own culture provides a deeper understanding of their family. This is why I am so passionate about pursuing topics in Family and Culture.
Family in Context 