Rate My Professor Marty Pritchard

Marty Pritchard is an Assistant Research Fellow in the Cancer Society Social and Behavioural Research Unit of the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, at the University of Otago. His office is located on the first floor of the Adams Building, 18 Frederick Street, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand. Contact details include direct dial +64 3 556 5167. The unit is part of Public Health and focuses on social and behavioural research related to cancer prevention and health promotion.

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.