Connected Conversations | Elise Prior
From growing up in the country to settling into big city life, psychology student, Elise Prior’s journey through university has certainly not been ordinary. While many students stress about assignment deadlines and looming exams, Elise is also silently battling a chronic illness. This doesn’t stop her from getting involved in every aspect of campus culture though! Representing a number of university areas in mentorship positions means Elise is able to share her keen enthusiasm, bright personality, and infectious energy to inspire others.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Elise, and I am an Honours Degree of Bachelor of Psychological Science student. I completed my Bachelor of Psychological Science with electives in public health, Indigenous health, and rural health (among others!) at the University of Adelaide.
Since beginning university, I have been passionate about improving the student experience. I have assisted students to succeed through academic tutoring for Wirltu Yarlu, class facilitation for Peer Assisted Study Sessions, and peer mentoring for the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. Through leadership roles within the Psychology Students’ Association and the Student Health & Wellbeing Program, I have endeavoured to contribute to a positive student culture. I have also advocated for student interests as a student representative on academic committees.
What has been your journey to get where you are today?
I grew up on a country property between the Barossa Valley and Clare Valley. The long commute to university would have been unmanageable, so I moved to a tiny apartment in Rundle Mall — what a change! I went from enjoying a view of crops and sheep (and certainly no people!) to a view of hundreds of people shopping (and certainly no sheep!). I settled in surprisingly quickly though, and I like that my current apartment, which is also in the CBD, is within walking distance of campus and everything unique to city life, like events/festivals and small bars. Don’t tell anyone but, when I get homesick, I use Google Street View to digitally ‘return’ home and take a ‘walk’ down my dirt road!
The biggest challenge I have faced is combining study demands with the management of my chronic illness which affects my immune system, cognitive function, and muscles and joints, among other body systems. I completed my undergraduate degree three-quarter-time and I am currently studying my honours degree part-time. There have been several occasions where I have been so unwell that I have narrowly avoided having to withdraw from study. Additionally, I am at greater risk than the general population of being severely affected by COVID-19, which has added another unwelcome layer of difficulty to studying. Resilience and perseverance have been essential for me, along with the physical and emotional support of my mum and my partner.
What are you working on now?
My thesis focuses on mental health support for young people delivered via mobile devices, with the aim to identify factors related to user engagement. I am using a statistical technique known as meta-analysis, which involves combining the results of multiple studies to derive a more precise conclusion than that offered by an individual study.
Mental health support delivered via mobile devices is readily available, anonymous, low-cost, and accessible in almost any geographic location. Evidence indicates that it is effective, yet user engagement is low. My findings may suggest how the development, design, testing, or clinical implementation of mental health support delivered via mobile devices can be improved to increase user engagement and therefore increase the number of young people receiving the support that they require.
Why did you choose the University of Adelaide for your studies?
I chose the University of Adelaide because of its focus on producing world-leading research while teaching a wide array of sub-fields within psychology. After all, Adelaide is the only university in South Australia that is a member of the Group of Eight, a collection of research-intensive institutions, and the only university in South Australia to offer three different Master of Psychology degrees. I wanted my undergraduate degree to be a time where I could have a ‘taster’ of all aspects of psychology and become prepared for a diverse range of potential career paths, so Adelaide was the only logical choice!
What do you love most about studying at the University of Adelaide?
The best part about studying at the University of Adelaide is the vibrant campus culture – there’s always a student event to attend, a new extra-curricular program to participate in, or a fellow student to connect with! This creates the perfect environment in which to discover new disciplines, cultures, and philosophies, and as a result, open your world, challenge your perspectives, and further develop yourself.
How would you describe the student experience in your degree to a future student?
As a student, there are countless opportunities to broaden your professional skills and knowledge within your field and beyond. For me, the student experience is about getting out of it what you put into it. That’s why during my undergraduate degree, I participated in 16 extra-curricular activities (consisting of approximately 1,340 hours of volunteering and industry work experience) and I attended numerous workshops and conferences. In my experience, those students who really immerse themselves in campus life not only have the most fun, but they diversify their knowledge and skillset, which benefits them academically and professionally.
What inspired you to pursue a career in health?
I was attracted to studying psychology because I was seeking the opportunity to help people reach their full potential. Initially I aspired to achieve this on an individual level by directly working with clients as a clinical psychologist. However, during my studies and experiences as a research assistant, I became interested in achieving this on a population level by conducting research of public benefit.
Do you feel that now is a great time to be studying for a career in health?
The global pandemic has undoubtedly changed the context of studying and working within the health sector, both for better and worse. On the one hand, there is increased public and political respect for all aspects of health as society has placed greater emphasis on being physically and mentally healthy. On the other hand, there is increased public and political debate about the nature of health science (including questions about its assumptions, methods, and reliability), which has sometimes led to doubt and distrust. My hope is that such debate will raise awareness of the importance of critical consumption of health science (including accurate media reporting) and that evidence-based health advice will ultimately continue to prevail.
What opportunities do you see for the future?
The increased use of digital technologies in our daily lives due to the global pandemic has improved accessibility and inclusivity in leaps and bounds–way more rapidly than otherwise! Such technologies have existed for years, yet the low uptake has prevented many people from fully participating in society, simply due to systemic barriers outside of their control. In the past, I have been excluded from fully participating in education, work, social activities, and even my own healthcare due to my chronic illness, but the recent uptake of technologies has enabled me to successfully participate like never before. Moving forward, I see hybrid models (both face-to-face and remote options) of education, work, socialising, and healthcare as offering the best of both worlds for everyone.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In what little spare time I have, I like to return to my family home in the country for a dose of fresh air and furry friends. Given the distance from the CBD though, this trip is a rarer occurrence than I would like, so the Adelaide Hills often suffices as a supplementary country escape for me with wine and walking trails (although never both on the same day!).
What do you hope to achieve in the next 10 years?
I am excited by psychology’s capacity to continue enhancing psychological and physical wellbeing on both an individual and a population level within society. In that context, my overarching aspirations are to help as many people as possible through the application of psychology and to make a meaningful contribution towards achieving health equity, whatever my specific career title may be.