For accountant-turned-sociologist Dr Margery Mayall, undertaking a PhD proved the perfect opportunity to blend professional experience with a passion for research.
Completed through UQ's School of Social Science in September, Dr Mayall's thesis examined individuals’ online share trading habits from a sociological perspective.
Specifically, Dr Mayall's research focused on the trading style known as technical analysis, a method of predicting future price changes by studying historical price patterns.
“I found that traders who use TA tended to select their trades based on charts, graphs or other visual indicators,” Dr Mayall said.
“I analysed the visualisation and objectification of TA, and the way the share trading style has been commodified and marketed, which is actually very similar to computer games.
“I looked at the nature of the relationship which many traders have with this 'object' as an example of a postsocial relationship – a sociological term based on the idea that people can receive benefits from a 'relationship' with an inanimate and indeterminate 'object'.
“I also explored the emotional motivations for trading, which often are at odds with economic notions of rational action.”
Dr Mayall's first degree was a Bachelor of Commerce, awarded in 1987.
After attaining the necessary professional qualifications, she joined the Institute of Chartered Accountants, but was lured back to UQ by her interest in sociology.
For her research into the attitudes and aspirations of young investors, Dr Mayall received the School of Social Science’s Award for Best Sociology Honours Thesis in 2003.
A keen cyclist, full-time mother of two school-aged children, and part-time sociology lecturer and tutor, she had to be flexible with her study schedule in order to complete her PhD in time and under budget.
Whilst completing her thesis Dr Mayall was also successful in publishing numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals.
"My most productive hours were usually between 11am and 3pm, at least three times a week," she said.
"There's nothing like the deadline of the end-of-school pickup to motivate you to write fast.
"But I wasn't perfect - I spend far too much time playing on the internet, as all my students know when I reply to their emails at all sorts of hours."
In recognition of Dr Mayall's dedication to her students, she was presented with an Award for Tutors from the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences on Monday, October 27.
The awards ceremony formed part of UQ’s 2008 Teaching & Learning Week (Oct 27 – Oct 31), which aims to recognise the academic staff members who continually strive to enhance the student learning experience.
"I spend far too much time preparing lectures, and am constantly trying to improve my abilities as a teacher,” she said.
“Tutors can have a huge influence and can help or hinder students' progress, so I hope I've made a positive difference for some of the students.
“I try to 'keep it real' - not all students will stay in academia, so they need to see that they are developing skills or learning concepts which might have relevance in their future careers.”
Dr Mayall is now employed as an academic staff member with UQ’s School of Social Science and plans to undertake long-term research into teenagers' understanding of financial markets.
Media: Dr Mayall (07 3365 2092, m.mayall@uq.edu.au) or Penny Robinson at UQ Communications (07 3365 9723, penny.robinson@uq.edu.au)
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