Mema o Te Apārangi | Member profile: Grace Prior

Tell us about your role at the Society

I am a Kaitohutohu Pāpāho Communications Advisor in the External Engagement Team. My role is quite varied and involves everything from helping to prepare elements of this newsletter for you each month to writing about incredible researchers, producing videos, supporting events, gathering expert perspectives, and even photography.

What has been a defining highlight of your experience at the Society?

A highlight of my time here at the Society has to be working with Jared Gray to create some informative videos on auroras with the legendary Dr Ian Griffin CRSNZ. We created two – one on how to photograph the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights), and another on the value of science communication. Ian won the Prime Minister’s Science Communication Prize in 2015.

As a science communicator and photographer at an earlier stage in my career than Ian, this was a dream assignment for me! 

I'd been aurora chasing myself for some time, but soon after this filming day, I had a lovely night out at Red Rocks on Wellington's south coast, where I took one of the photos you may have noticed featured on the recent Companions' Forum booklet and slides. 

Aurora australis at Red Rocks

What were the contributing factors for choosing to work at Royal Society Te Apārangi?

I distinctly remember telling my colleague, Nancy, during the interview that my goal in life, and partly my motivation for applying for this role, was to become the next David Attenborough. I think this remains the same. At the time, I was working as a journalist, specialising in science, environment, and rural reporting, but all I really wanted to do was explain the wonders and intricacies of the world.

When not working, I enjoy...

Too much! I am a potter, and I mostly make functional homewares. I also love to get outdoors – you can find me by the beach, hiking, running in the dune tracks near my house, or spending time with my horse.