Kristen Smith

PhD CandidateKristen Smith

Provisional Thesis Title: Health, Power & Inequity: Medical Tourism in India

 Research Supervisor: Dr Hans Baer
Centre: Centre for Health & Society

What were you doing before you became a student at the Melbourne School of Population Health?

Over the last five years I, firstly, completed a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in International Development and Anthropology at Deakin University, followed by a Master of Social Science (International Development) at RMIT, whilst also working part-time at Australian Volunteers International (AVI) as a Research Assistant.

What made you apply for your course?

I wanted to do a PhD as there was a topic I had been thinking about for some years that I was really interested in pursuing. The main reason I applied to the University of Melbourne, and more specifically the Centre for Health and Society in the Melbourne School of Population Health, was because the academic I wanted as my supervisor was located here. Also, I had heard good things about the PhD program at the University of Melbourne in terms of the amount of support given to students over the course of their research.

What makes the Melbourne School of Population Health a great place to study?

It feels really quite fortuitous to have ended up in the Melbourne School of Population Health for a number of reasons. Firstly, I have always personally liked the idea of multidisciplinary research, and the diversity of academics/researchers in the school is really admirable.
Secondly, the community and support fostered at the Melbourne School of Population Health creates a highly stimulating and inspiring environment to be in. 

I am certain this qualification will hold me in good stead for a career either in academia or in any other external research positions, whether public or private, national or international.

Any advice for new students?

Spend some time on-campus from the beginning of your course getting to know people and don't be worried about simply going and knocking on doors,  because I've found, as a general rule, people here are really welcoming and can be very helpful.