From History to Psychology: A Journey into Understanding Human Behavior
Growing up with parents deeply rooted in psychology, it seemed almost inevitable that Dr. [Name] would follow a similar path.Yet, her journey into the field was anything but straightforward. “My mum is a clinical psychologist, and my dad moved from clinical psychology into brain research,” she recalls. “when I was a kid, I always wanted to be a clinical psychologist, but when I got into my teens, I thoght maybe it wasn’t cool to do what your parents do.” Instead, she chose to study history at college.
However, her fascination with people and their decisions never waned.“I loved it, but I noticed that I was always really interested in the people in history, the effects that events had on them and why they made particular decisions.” This curiosity led her to pivot to psychology, studying at the University of Sussex.
The Leap into research
Table of Contents
- Exploring Perceptions of Aging adn Human Behavior: A Conversation with Dr. Emily O’Sullivan
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- From History to Psychology: The Roots of a Researcher
- The Leap into Research: Studying aging and Its Impact
- Joining the ESRI: A Focus on Applied Research
- Key Projects and Insights: Tackling Societal Challenges
- The Challenges and Rewards of Interdisciplinary Research
- Finding Balance: Family, Football, and Research
- Key Takeaways: A Journey of Curiosity and Impact
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Her academic journey took a notable turn during her PhD at Trinity College Dublin, where she explored how perceptions of ageing influence cognitive and physical health. Working with Prof. rose Anne Kenny, who leads the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (Tilda), she discovered that subjective feelings of ageing could impact physical and cognitive abilities. “We could see that if people feel they are old, that is reflected in their cognitive and physical abilities,” she explains.
This research continued at Columbia University, where she investigated how perceptions of ageing affect physical health. “Even being told you are old could affect things like blood pressure,” she notes.
joining the ESRI: A Focus on Applied Research
In 2017, Dr. [name] joined the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), drawn by the prospect to conduct research with real-world impact.“I really liked the applied nature of the research I was doing on ageing,and I had that spark of wanting to do more research that had an impact,” she says.
At ESRI’s behavioural research unit, her work spans diverse areas, from health and finance to the habitat. “We are interested in why people make decisions and why they behave in the way they do,” she explains.
Key Projects and Insights
Her projects have tackled pressing societal issues. In health, she has examined beliefs about obesity and factors influencing doctors’ decisions to prescribe antibiotics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her team analyzed public understanding of the virus’s risks and attitudes toward vaccination.
In finance, she led a study on why people don’t switch mortgage providers, despite potential savings. “We trialled an app to support people to look at switching,” she shares. On the environmental front, her work tracks public attitudes toward climate change and explores ways to encourage retrofitting homes.
The Challenges and Rewards of Research
One of the biggest challenges, she notes, is the interdisciplinary nature of her work. “We work with experts from lots of different disciplines, so you need to be open to listening and learning, getting up to speed with different fields.” Yet, this diversity also makes the work exciting. “I am learning more about economics, sociology, political science, and ethics,” she adds.
Despite the demands of her career,Dr. [Name] finds balance in family life and Gaelic football. “Our local club has a team for mothers. It’s brilliant; there is nothing like being out on the pitch to burn off your energy and make you forget any work stresses.”
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| early Inspiration | Parents in psychology; initially studied history before switching to psychology. |
| PhD Research | Explored perceptions of ageing and their impact on health at Trinity College Dublin. |
| ESRI focus | Applied research on decision-making in health, finance, and the environment. |
| Notable Projects | COVID-19 risk perception, mortgage switching, climate change attitudes. |
| Personal Balance | Family life and Gaelic football provide a break from work. |
Dr. [Name]’s journey underscores the power of curiosity and the importance of research in addressing societal challenges.Her work at ESRI continues to shed light on the complexities of human behavior, offering insights that drive meaningful change.
Exploring Perceptions of Aging adn Human Behavior: A Conversation with Dr. Emily O’Sullivan
Understanding how perceptions of aging and decision-making impact health and well-being is a growing field of interest. Dr.Emily O’Sullivan, a leading researcher at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), has dedicated her career to exploring these themes. From her PhD research at Trinity College Dublin to her applied studies at ESRI, her work sheds light on the complexities of human behavior. In this interview, Senior Editor Sarah Collins speaks with Dr.O’Sullivan about her journey, key projects, and the challenges and rewards of interdisciplinary research.
From History to Psychology: The Roots of a Researcher
Sarah Collins: Dr. O’Sullivan, your academic journey began with a degree in history before transitioning to psychology. What inspired this shift?
Dr. Emily O’Sullivan: It’s interesting because both of my parents are psychologists—my mother is a clinical psychologist, and my father transitioned into brain research. As a child, I wanted to follow in their footsteps, but as a teenager, I thought it might not be “cool” to do what my parents did. So, I chose history. However, I quickly realized my fascination with people and their decisions. I was always drawn to understanding how historical events shaped individuals and why they made certain choices. That curiosity eventually led me to psychology, where I could study human behavior more directly.
The Leap into Research: Studying aging and Its Impact
Sarah Collins: Your PhD research at Trinity college Dublin focused on perceptions of aging and their impact on health. What were some of your key findings?
Dr. Emily O’Sullivan: Working with Prof. Rose Anne Kenny and the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), we discovered that subjective perceptions of aging—how old people feel—can significantly influence their cognitive and physical health.For example, if someone perceives themselves as older, it ofen correlates with lower cognitive function and physical abilities. This research extended to Columbia University, where we found that even subtle cues, like being told you are “old,” can affect physiological markers such as blood pressure. These findings highlight the profound psychological and physical interplay in aging.
Joining the ESRI: A Focus on Applied Research
Sarah Collins: What drew you to the ESRI, and how has your work evolved since joining?
Dr. emily O’Sullivan: I joined ESRI in 2017 because I wanted to focus on research with tangible, real-world impact. At ESRI’s Behavioral Research Unit, my work spans health, finance, and the surroundings. We delve into why people make certain decisions and how these decisions affect their lives. As an example, we’ve explored factors influencing doctors’ decisions to prescribe antibiotics and public attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination. The applied nature of this research allows us to address pressing societal issues directly.
Key Projects and Insights: Tackling Societal Challenges
Sarah Collins: Your projects cover a wide range of topics, from mortgage switching to climate change attitudes. Could you share some insights from these studies?
Dr. Emily O’Sullivan: Absolutely.In finance, we studied why people often don’t switch mortgage providers, even when it could save them money. We developed an app to assist them in evaluating their options, which showed promising results. On the environmental front, we track public attitudes toward climate change and explore ways to encourage home retrofitting. These projects highlight the importance of understanding behavioral barriers and designing interventions that align with people’s motivations.
The Challenges and Rewards of Interdisciplinary Research
Sarah Collins: Working across disciplines must present unique challenges. How do you navigate these complexities?
Dr. Emily O’Sullivan: Interdisciplinary research is both challenging and rewarding. Collaborating with experts from fields like economics, sociology, and ethics requires a willingness to listen and learn. You have to quickly get up to speed on different methodologies and perspectives. However, this diversity enriches the work and opens up new avenues for revelation. For example, combining psychological insights with economic models helps us design more effective interventions.
Finding Balance: Family, Football, and Research
Sarah Collins: How do you balance the demands of your career with personal life?
Dr. Emily O’Sullivan: Family life and Gaelic football are my anchors. I play on a local mothers’ team,and it’s a fantastic way to unwind. There’s nothing like being out on the pitch to burn off energy and clear your mind. These moments help me recharge and maintain outlook, which is essential in a demanding career like mine.
Key Takeaways: A Journey of Curiosity and Impact
Dr. Emily O’Sullivan’s career exemplifies the power of curiosity and the importance of research in addressing societal challenges. From her PhD studies on aging to her applied work at ESRI, she has consistently shed light on the complexities of human behavior. Her ability to navigate interdisciplinary research and stay grounded in personal life offers valuable lessons for aspiring researchers and professionals alike.