Speak Out
June 2014
21
Emily Lowther
is drinking coffee in
one of Perth’s busy cafés on a Saturday
afternoon as though she has all the
time in the world to relax and watch the
world go by, but she doesn’t. In August
this year, she is off to Michigan, USA, to
start her PhD – with a fully funded PhD
scholarship that covers tuition, living
expenses and health insurance. And she
was offered all of this before she even
graduated from her Masters of Speech
Pathology in Western Australia.
Congratulations Emily, what an
amazing opportunity! How did you
get this offer?
People were starting to prepare for job
applications at the end of the year, and
I realised I didn’t have quite enough PD
(professional development) in my CV
because a Masters Degree is so full-on
already. I thought I better get some PD
under my belt, and around that time the
Curtin Stuttering Clinic sent out an email
requesting volunteers to assist with data
collection for a genetic study. It would
be a great way to help out two people I
admire [Janet Beilby & Kathy Viljoen].
We collected data for USA-based
researcher Shelly Jo Kraft on
temperament, life experiences and DNA
spit samples to research stuttering.
We had many people who were very
generous with their time… and their spit.
Basically I labelled 300 spit tubes in my
spare time, graduated to a coordinating
role, and closely communicated with
Shelly Jo in the USA!
The spit was worth it then! Tell me
a bit more about what your PhD will
involve.
First year is mainly coursework and
building up my dissertation. Also
working about 10 hours a week with
Shelly Jo on her research projects. I’ll
be in the States for at least nine months
a year, and then have an opportunity
to come home for three months and
hopefully be involved with research here.
Nine months in the States – do you
think you will miss Australia?
Summer! I am unlikely to see it for the
next four years. I never thought I would
miss it with my pale skin, but I’ve been
told it will be very cold. Shelly Jo recently
sent an email from the USA saying it had
warmed up a bit to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
It will be a challenge!
A challenge all right! What would
back up plan have been if this
opportunity didn’t present itself?
Hmmm… probably just find work in
Perth, or even just do a few years rural
with a generalist caseload. I have a
problem of liking everything! I wasn’t too
fussed.
I did consider research. I admit that I
like spreadsheets, colour coding and
statistics. I thought it would be another
few years before I went down that
path… after being a student for the last
five years. But here I am!
So what is the first thing you will do in
Detroit?
Buy good boots and a good coat! I don’t
deal well with cold. I’m just excited to
see a new place.
And how do you really feel?
I would be lying if I didn’t say I wasn’t
terrified. I am a planner and a preparer,
and there are a lot of variables I cannot
plan or prepare for. It will be a good
learning experience, and I am ready to
embrace this adventure!
Interviewed by
Johanna eppler
WA Branch Editor
A new grad’s PhD opportunity in the USA
BrANCH NEWS — western australia
BRANCH news
VICTORIA
The Victorian Branch
has
recently undergone some changes to
the branch structure to better meet the
needs of Victorian members.
Unlike previous years, members can
be involved in the working parties on
a project-by-project basis, rather than
committing for a full 12 months. We are
hoping this flexibility will provide the
opportunity members are looking for
to be involved in SPA Vic Branch on a
shorter term basis.
In order to get the ball rolling we have
commenced working towards some
of these key business areas and have
developed the following working parties:
Lobbying Working Party:
With the
Victorian State Election planned for
November 2014, this working party will
be coordinating a Branch approach to
highlighting the needs of Victorian speech
pathologists and service users. While we
recognise that there are multiple issues
that affect access to and provision of
speech pathology services in Victoria, it is
important we approach the election with
one key message. This election we will
be lobbying for
Accountability for how
schools use their “Language Support
Program” funding
.
Member Engagement Working Party:
In order to better serve our members,
this working party will be looking at
different ways of engaging Victorian
members and establishing effective
communication processes. It will also be
involved in speech pathology promotional
events such as Speech Pathology Week
in August, the Pregnancy, Babies and
Children's Expo in October, functions for
graduating students in November, as well
as organising networking events (such as
social functions and trivia nights).
Stay tuned on Victorian Branch working
parties and events via the Victorian
Branch webpage (via the
tab on the website).
If you would like to become involved
in any working parties, please contact
Jane-Elise Healey (Victorian Branch
Secretary) via email:
.
Victorian Branch update
