Lauren Halsall, Health & Wellbeing, Lancaster University (2022 Cohort)

Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to undertake an oversees institutional visit to the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, at the University of Sydney. On the whole, I found the OIV to be a truly transformational experience, and one that I would recommend to all NWSSDTP students.

As a research student at Lancaster University, my doctoral project is focused on co-occurring substance use and mental health. The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, based at the University of Sydney, was therefore an ideal institution for my OIV, and is indeed a major centre for innovative and impactful research in the field. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend six weeks at the Centre, learning from world leading researchers and other experts.

Regarding my PhD progress directly, the OIV had a number of benefits. Specifically, during the visit I was invited to present my early doctoral findings to researchers and other professionals at the Centre, and received some really helpful feedback on my project. As a second year PhD student, this was the perfect time to gain insight from others who are using the same methodologies and exploring similar research questions, and the feedback I received was fundamental in shaping my plans for future thesis chapters.

During my time in Sydney, I also had the opportunity to collaborate with experts at the Centre on a research project that is of direct relevance to my doctoral work. Due to data access limitations, this collaborative project was only possible because I was able to visit the University, and therefore the opportunity to undertake an OIV was essential in supporting this experience. I learnt huge amounts during this project, and feel incredibly grateful to the researchers at the Matilda Centre for their support and collaboration.

Indeed, perhaps the greatest benefit of the OIV was the opportunity to connect with both leading and emerging researchers in the field of mental health and substance use. As an early career researcher, the work taking place at the Matilda Centre is hugely inspiring, and I was lucky enough to spend a significant amount of time having informal discussions about much of the influential work happening in the field. Beneficially, spending six weeks in Sydney allowed me to build stronger relationships than would otherwise be possible within short-term collaborative settings, such as conferences. Additionally, the Matilda Centre hosts a number of PhD students who are conducting projects related to my own, and it was invaluable to explore the links between our work on an international-level and also to discuss possible avenues for future collaboration. Both professionally and personally, I’m deeply thankful to have had the opportunity to connect with so many brilliant people, and sincerely appreciate everyone who took the time to share their experiences and insights with me.

Outside of the benefits to my PhD and wider career, the OIV also provided an unparalleled opportunity to embrace a new experience. Working and living on the other side of the world strengthened my confidence on both a professional and personal level, and having the opportunity to immerse myself in a different way of life was a truly enriching experience. Whilst in Australia, I was also able to spend a few weeks travelling, and vising places such as the Great Barrier Reef will remain a highlight of a lifetime.

Overall, undertaking an OIV proved to be a truly transformational experience. I will forever cherish my time in Sydney, and return home with renewed motivation for my PhD and a deep sense of gratitude to the NWSSDTP for the opportunity. Both professionally and personally, I cannot overstate the value of my visit and would thoroughly recommend the experience to all.