‘Delighted’ Ollaberry PhD student wins London university award
Natalie Cairns-Ratter is studying flow state in music and effect on autistic and non-autistic young people
A PHD student living in Shetland has been awarded a prestigious prize by the University of Roehampton for her contribution to its research culture.
Natalie Cairns-Ratter, who lives in Ollaberry with her husband and child, received the postgraduate research achievement award from the university last month.
She is currently in the third year of a full-time PhD studentship at the London university, examining the relationship between flow state in a music context for both autistic and non-autistic young people.
Cairns-Ratter told Shetland News that she was stunned to pick up the award.
“I really wasn’t expecting it,” she said.
“I got an email from my academic team that I’d been shortlisted and they were inviting me to come to the ceremony, but I didn’t actually find out I had won the award until the day.
“It was a lovely surprise, and such an uplifting day.”
There was also some “lovely synchronicity” for Cairns-Ratter on the day, with the award presented to her by last year’s winner Hana Iqtait – who is a good friend of hers.
“That was really a special moment,” she added.
“To be acknowledged for being part of the research team, I was delighted.”
Cairns-Ratter moved to Shetland in the early 2010s to be with her husband, and said she initially worked by mucking in on the croft and helping look after the sheep.
Having studied music education, she then began working as a music instructor at a local primary school.
It was after the birth of her son, who is autistic, that Cairns-Ratter became fascinated by the relationship between young people and music – particularly with regards to flow state.
Flow state is defined as a psychological state where a person loses themselves in a meaningful task that they enjoy and are motivated to do, and which can pass the time quickly for them.
“My son could sing and he could play on the piano before he could speak,” Cairns-Ratter explained.
“That is what pulled me back into education and led me on to my PhD.
“My PHD is specifically looking at examining flow state for non-autistic and autistic young people in a music context, and if they do get into a state of flow when they practice a musical instrument.”
Cairns-Ratter says that anyone can achieve flow state every day, and in any number of ways.
“To get into flow state it has to be a meaningful task, and something we enjoy doing and are motivated to do.
“Motivation and attention are the essential parts of it; it’s something that has you completely grabbed and maybe you end up losing track of time.”
One activity that may be considered fun for one person may not be the same for the next, she explained.
“It can be reading or walking, playing sports, playing video games. It could even be cleaning the kitchen, for example.
“It’s so individual to each and every person. It’s incredible the different activities you can achieve flow state with.”
With Cairns-Ratter’s background in music education, she wanted to explore how young people achieve flow state through musical activities, such as listening to music or playing an instrument.
That is then further broken down into non-autistic and autistic people, and their experiences with music and flow state.
“For some people, that may be playing the same musical piece over and over, or playing the same musical motifs.
“We’re looking at if this is flow state then why is music so meaningful and important to young people, and especially autistic young people?”
As a former instructor herself, she is hopeful that the findings from her research will help to inform teachers in years to come.
“I’m really hoping that we can learn more and understand about flow state for autistic and non-autistic people, and hopefully then we’ll able to provide some teaching strategies for teachers and schools.
“It’s definitely something we need to understand more, particularly for children and young people. We still know very little about it.
“It’s an exciting time to be part of the research.”
Cairns-Ratter is currently completing her data collection, and will then start her “write-up year” from September as she moves towards the end of her PhD.
She hopes to continue her research after her PhD is finished, she says, before adding: “As long as I can stay in Shetland, I’ll be happy.”
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