Erin Simister is from the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work and is one of the 12 winners of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Doctoral Thesis Excellence for 2024. Erin was supervised by Professor Melanie Takarangi (primary), Associate Professor Ryan Balzan (secondary) and Dr Victoria Bridgland (secondary). Erin’s thesis was titled “Beyond the blur: The empirical basis of Instagram’s sensitive-content screens”

We invited Erin to share insights into the PhD journey and what winning this award means.

 

What is your research about?

My research investigates the effectiveness of sensitive-content screens on social media platforms such as Instagram and demonstrates that, in their current format, they neither deter users from viewing sensitive content nor support users’ emotional preparation. However, my research shows that adapting these screens—by including brief content information and emotion regulation strategies—can enhance their effectiveness as a harm minimisation

What does winning the Vice-Chancellors Award for Doctoral Thesis Excellence mean to you?

Winning the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Doctoral Thesis Excellence is an incredible honour. It is recognition of the hard work and persistence that went into my research and broader academic endeavours at Flinders University. This award also acknowledges the invaluable guidance and support of my supervisors and fellow members of the Takarangi Lab, as well as the unwavering encouragement from my family.

What has been one of the most enjoyable parts of the journey?

One of the most enjoyable parts of my PhD journey was writing my thesis general discussion (yes, it surprised me too!). For most of my candidature, I dreaded the thought of pulling together all my work into one cohesive discussion—how do you even begin to summarise and conclude such a mammoth project? At first, it was definitely challenging to get all the key takeaways down on paper. But gradually, ideas began to flow—slowly at first, then more and more rapidly, until I was struggling to type fast enough to keep up with my thoughts. In those moments, as I raced to capture everything, I realised I had truly become the “expert” on my research and could write confidently about its outcomes and implications. That feeling was euphoric. Looking back now, reflecting on that part of the journey brings a smile to my face and reminds me that all the hard work and sacrifices were absolutely worth it.

What are your future goals and plans? / Where do you see your career heading in the future?

Looking ahead, my focus is on continuing to develop and strengthen my clinical skills as an early career Clinical Psychologist. I plan to continue working across the public and private sectors, while staying connected with the research and teaching opportunities at Flinders University. In the future, I would also like to work towards becoming a board-approved supervisor, with the longer-term goal of contributing (more) to teaching, supervision, and the training of our future clinicians.

Where are you now?

As of May 2025, I am officially an endorsed (!!) Clinical Psychologist—a goal that’s been nearly 10 years in the making. I’m currently working as a Clinical Psychologist across both the public and private sectors and really enjoying the diverse learning opportunities that come with each setting. In my public role, I work within community mental health, where a key part of my work involves facilitating group therapy programs for young people and their families. I’m also continuing to take on casual teaching roles at Flinders University, which allows me to stay connected to the academic community and support the next cohort of clinicians.

What advice would you give to current or prospective PhD students?

My advice to current and prospective PhD students is to be clear about, and regularly reflect on, your “why.” Understanding the deeper purpose behind your hard work—whether it be helping others or advancing clinical knowledge—will help sustain you through the inevitable challenges of the PhD journey.

I think it is also important to celebrate your milestones—both big and small—because progress in academia can sometimes feel slow. Taking time to acknowledge achievements, no matter their size, can help to maintain your motivation and perspective. I had a quote on my office wall that helped me throughout my PhD journey: “Just remember, five years ago you dreamed about where you are now.” Whenever I felt overwhelmed or discouraged, this simple reminder helped me appreciate how far I had come and encouraged me to keep moving forward, one step at a time.