I was awarded the Duguid Travel Scholarship in 2021 to cover the costs on an online course ‘Data analysis using Stata: Online’ run by the Australian Consortium for Social and Political Research. As a first year PhD student planning on undertaking mixed methods research, the course provided an opportunity to build my quantitative data skills in the preferred data analysis program used by my team. Through the course I have gained familiarity and confidence with Stata, had practical experience in conducting a range of analyses, built a library of commands, instructions and references that will aid my continued learning, and consulted with a Stata expert on the quantitative component of my project. I also will now be more enabled to contribute to the peer learning sessions with other students in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health program. I believe the course was an excellent foundation for my quantitative analysis skills development for my PhD and for my research officer work, both of which aim to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The flexibility of the Duguid Travel Scholarship to be used for attending online courses and activities allowed for me to attend the course online from home, which was both cost effective and the most appropriate format during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Duguid Scholarship, in facilitating my participation in the Stata course, has contributed to my development as a mixed methods researcher. I am grateful to Dr Andrew Duguid and Mrs Rosemary Douglas for their endowment in the name of their parents Charles and Phyllis Duguid and to the Scholarships Committee for facilitating the scholarship and supporting my development.