Meet our July graduates: Rachael Brown

Rachael Brown, who graduated from ANU with a PhD in Philosophy last week, made the move from Melbourne to Canberra to study with our world-class Philosophers. We spoke to her about her thesis and ANU experience ahead of her upcoming move to Canada. 

What’s your thesis about?

To briefly summarise, my thesis, Understanding Behavioural Innovation, Novelty and Evolvability, is the consequence of the observation of a lack of discussion about concepts of evolvability, evolutionary innovation and novelty in the discussion of behavioural evolution. My research is concerned with why is this is the case, and what would happen if such concepts were used when thinking about behavioural evolution.

What was the highlight of your research project?

Partway through my PhD I spent six months at the Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research just outside Vienna in Austria as part of a student research fellowship. Not only is Vienna is an amazing city to live and work in but also, through collaboration with the other researchers at the KLI, I was able to gain a new perspective on my work that ended up greatly influencing the final PhD thesis.

What have you enjoyed most about studying at ANU?

The wonderful ANU philosophy community; at ANU there is a large and friendly group of philosophers who are always happy to talk about our project or ideas. We have regular workshops, seminars, reading groups and morning/afternoon teas. Graduate students are encouraged to be involved in all these events. It has been extremely enjoyable and intellectually stimulating to be a part of such an active and friendly research community.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out their studies?

Try to maintain a life outside of your work. Sometimes your research won’t go as you plan or you will find it challenging and it’s good to be able to set that aside and take a break. I kept up playing clarinet and saxophone while doing my PhD. I found playing music a great way to wind down and “switch off” from my thesis. By joining some community music groups around town I was able to make friends with people outside the university, which I also think is important.

What do you plan on doing now that you’ve finished your degree?

In August I begin a postdoctoral fellowship in the philosophy of science at the Rotman Institute for Philosophy at Western University in Ontario, Canada. While there my husband and I plan to spend some time exploring Canada’s beautiful national parks.