Help Emma survive her PhD

Hi my name is Emma and I'm completing my PhD in prosocial changes in frontotemporal dementia, a lesser known but prevalent form of dementia, currently affecting up to 11,500 Australians. My PhD studies contribute to knowledge about how behavioural symptoms of dementia influence prosocial behaviour. This knowledge is important for informing effective person-centred care approaches to optimize quality of life and maintain positive relationships for patients and their families.

I've worked extremely hard my entire life to get to where I am to use my academic ability to contribute to the community. Dementia Australia very kindly supported the first 3 years of my PhD, you can find more details about my research and this important cause here: https://www.dementia.org.au/research/our-researchers/emma-johnson

Unfortunately, I experienced a number of substantial set-backs during my PhD which nearly had me hospitalised. With COVID-19 occurring at the same time my funding ran out, it has been extremely difficult to support myself and finish my research by distance which has taken a huge toll on me physically and emotionally. Financial stress adds another layer to this, and I was waitressing to support myself on top of an internship as a psychologist. In the end the hours meant I couldn't allocate enough time to write.

A little known fact is that PhD students in Australia, without a scholarship, have zero income and are not eligible for any government support despite working full time on research to benefit our fellow Australians. Even if you can't help me, if you know someone doing a PhD, any little financial assistance or food offerings help!

I'm in the final stages of writing my thesis due end Feb 2022 and hoping some kind people might be able to help support me to eat, pay medical bills, rent, debt and general life expenses as I'm in the final throes without an income for the next few months. After February I'll be able to become a normal human in the workforce and support myself, as I've done throughout my life prior to PhD.

In return, my chosen career pathway sees me dedicating my life to help others!

Thank you for your support!