In this month’s newsletter, we would like to introduce PhD graduate, Michelle Watson from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Michelle’s recently submitted thesis, “The lived experience of food insecurity in Adelaide, South Australia: Stories of adversity, oppression, and the orthodox and unorthodox food acquisition strategies used to cope” received outstanding results from the examiners.
We asked Michelle to share what led her to a PhD and why it is important, the most enjoyable and hardest parts of a PhD journey and what the future holds.
What was your research about?
The lived experience of food insecurity and the orthodox and unorthodox coping strategies used.
Tell us about your research
My research identified three main themes – ‘Life’s not gone according to plan’, ‘Down the well without a ladder’, and Self-managing the situation and identified that food insecurity is not from a lack of food, rather it is a lack of money; this was demonstrated during COVID-19 when people on social assistance payments received an increase and therefore were able to shop at regular supermarkets, pay their bills, rent, car registration and afford petrol.
What was the topic of your PhD and why was it important to you?
My topic was on the lived experience of food insecurity and it identified life events as a major driver for poverty. I wanted to give them a voice and recognition that they are not ‘dole-bludgers’ who made poor life choices, rather it was extrinsic life events that led to them becoming food insecure and impoverished in the first place. My study was important to me because the current way of dealing with food insecurity is via the food banking/emergency food relief agencies which is not helping food insecure and impoverished people change their circumstances, rather it is keeping them in an oppressive cycle of dependence that they cannot escape.
Tell us about yourself
On a professional level, I’m a person with a very diverse skill set – I’ve had many career changes and this has helped me get where I am today. Personally, I love travelling, scrapbooking, watching movies, supporting Sturt football club (SANFL), and spending time with family.
What led you to undertake a PhD? What inspired or motivated you?
I have always had an interest in the ‘why’ of things and research provides the best way of me finding this out. I guess you could say it satisfies my continual curiosity of the world! I really enjoyed my honours research and the natural progression was to undertake a PhD.
What was been one of the most enjoyable parts of the journey?
The most enjoyable part of my PhD was interviewing all these incredible people and hearing their stories; I love that I can give them a voice. Also, another enjoyable aspect of a PhD was watching all this work come together at the end, into a thesis that I’m really proud of.
What was been one of the hardest parts of the journey?
COVID. My Confirmation of Candidature was in April 2020 and then everything stopped. I had to delay data collection and so I focused on writing my Introduction, Methodology, and parts of my Methods chapter. I was also diagnosed with a chronic pain condition in late 2020 so had to manage that along with competing a PhD.
What was highlight of your student life at Flinders?
I have been a student at Flinders University since 2013 and have loved being part of the university community. My first day was daunting – I was a mature aged student, hadn’t studied at a university before and sitting in this huge lecture theatre in Biological Sciences. This wonderful girl sitting next to me turned around and introduced herself and started chatting with me. I felt welcomed and realised this was the right place for me. My whole journey at Flinders Uni has been like this – warmth, inclusion, and acceptance.
How did your supervisors support you during your candidature?
My supervisors were wonderfully understanding during COVID and supported my decision to delay my data collection. They were also very supportive with my health issues and didn’t push me too hard on the days I was feeling fragile. They let me take charge of my research project and offered very helpful advice when needed. They are all experts in the field of food insecurity and I was very privileged to have them supervise my PhD journey.
How did you overcome any challenges of doing a PhD?
COVID was a huge challenge so I shifted perspective and wrote chapters instead. I made sure I utilised my time wisely so when we were able to commence data collection I had everything in place. Having a chronic health condition and completing a PhD has enabled me to be more reflective on how I’m feeling and taking breaks when needed. I also used my Acknowledgements section of my thesis as a powerful motivator to keep me going. Looking over who I was thanking helped me stay on track – I had a promise to my wonderful participants and I had to keep going.
What advice would you give to those who are about to undertake a PhD?
Do it! You will gain so many skills that are transferable. Also, try and publish during your candidature as it sets you up as a researcher once you’ve finished. On the days you’re feeling unsure if this is the right path for you, sit back and ask yourself why you’re passionate about the topic and what motivated you to apply in the first place. Good luck!
How has your PhD helped you in the role you are in now?
I am about to start a 6-month Research Assistant contract so I’m hopeful it has prepared me for this!
How has your PhD influenced your future career? Where do you see your career heading in the future?
My PhD has cemented my love of research. I really enjoy the challenge of starting with a question or two, collecting and analysing the data, and forming a story. I get an immense sense of satisfaction from this process.
What have you been doing since you completed?
I’ve been busy looking for a job that utilises all the skills I’ve gained. I have just recently been offered a casual contract with the College of Medicine and Public Health with their Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander Public Health research team. I’m also presenting my thesis research to the organisations that helped me recruit participants and later in the year I’ll also present to people who experience food insecurity and poverty. I am in the process of developing two manuscripts from my research too.
Have you published anything?
Watson, M, Booth, S, Velardo, S and Coveney, J. 2023. The “who” and “why” of dumpster diving for food in wealthy industrialised countries – an international scoping review. British Food Journal. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-01-2023-0014
Watson, M, Booth, S, Velardo, S and Coveney, J. 2022. The orthodox and unorthodox food acquisition practices and coping strategies used by food insecure adults: A scoping review. Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/19320248.2021.2021121
Watson, M, Velardo, S, & Drummond, M. 2020. Perspectives of the key stakeholders of the KickStart for Kids school breakfast program. Children and Youth Services Review, 112. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/1.childyouth.2020.104895
Health and Education Interdependence – Thriving from Birth to Adulthood (Springer). Editors – R. Midford, G. Nutton, B. Hyndman, S. Silburn. Available at: https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9789811539589#aboutBook