Rate My Professor Marty Pritchard

Pritchard serves as the contact for a research study funded by the Dunedin School of Medicine Dean’s Bequest. The study interviews adolescents aged 13-17 and young adults aged 18-24 who experienced sunburn over the summer. It examines sun protection practices, influences of social media on tanning behaviors, particularly trends on platforms like TikTok during high UV index periods, and the impact of public safety campaigns. Interviews last 45 minutes, with participants receiving a voucher; parental consent is required for those aged 13-16. This work addresses high sunburn rates among youth, such as 81% of 18-24-year-olds in the 2024-25 summer, contributing to skin cancer prevention efforts in New Zealand. The Cancer Society Social and Behavioural Research Unit received core funding from the Cancer Society of New Zealand and University of Otago from 1990 to 2019 to support projects in tobacco control, sun protection, cancer screening, and behavioural interventions.