1937-2020
Prepared by Prof Cheryl Dissanayake and Prof Eleanor Wertheim FAPS (on behalf of Psychologists for Peace Interest Group)
Our psychology community has lost an esteemed scholar, humanist, advocate for youth and peace, and colleague. Professor Margot Prior passed away on 24 August due to Covid-19.
A classical musician who trained at the Melbourne University Conservatorium, playing piano and oboe professionally in the UK and Australia, psychology was Margot’s second career. After completing master and doctoral degrees at Monash University on the then little known condition of autism, she published the first Australian journal article on autism (now Autism Spectrum Disorder).
Margot began an academic position in psychology at La Trobe University in 1976 where her interests expanded to other early childhood conditions. Her interests in clinical and developmental child and family psychology led to researching childhood temperament, and in 1983 founding the Australian Temperament Project, which continues today. In 1989, Margot became the first female Professor of Clinical Psychology, establishing the first Clinical Psychology Doctoral program in the country.
Beyond her scholarly work, Margot has been a prominent voice for child welfare, peace and social justice. She was one of the founding members of the APS interest group, Psychologists for the Prevention of War (now Psychologists for Peace). Her work in the area of peace included conference presentations, publications and media interviews on peace themes, and contributing to political action through the then Nuclear Disarmament Party. Margot co-established the La Trobe University Institute for Peace Research and was the second Chairperson. She also co-founded the Victorian Parenting Research Centre in 1997 (now the Parenting Research Centre).
In 1995, Margot moved to the University of Melbourne as Inaugural Director of Psychology at the Royal Children’s Hospital, where her stellar work continued. While leading research in the area of developmental psychology and psychopathology, she mentored a generation of early career scholars and clinicians. She was well regarded for her warmth and generosity and her fierce intellect and commitment to social and welfare issues. A widely read newspaper columnist and media commentator, her advice and opinions did much to raise the level of public understanding about child development in Australia. She collaborated with the International Conflict Resolution Centre to co-lead a UNESCO-funded project, “The Qualities of Peacemakers,” conducted in Victorian primary schools, and supported Researchers for Asylum Seekers.
Margot chaired the Social and Human Sciences Network for UNESCO (2005 – 2007) and undertook development work in India and Vietnam, training clinicians to support children with developmental challenges. She wrote government reports, and provided court evidence for cases involving children. She had a keen interest in indigenous affairs and volunteered in an inner-city Aboriginal Health Service.
On retirement, Margot continued supporting research both at the University of Melbourne and La Trobe University. In 2008, she became inaugural Chair of the Advisory Committee of Australia’s first autism research centre at La Trobe, the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre. To recognise her contributions, the Victorian Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre at La Trobe was named after her.
Margot’s illustrious career was recognised through being awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2004 and Victorian Senior Australian of the Year in 2006. She was a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and of the Australian Psychological Society, where she received the President’s Award for Distinguished Contribution to Psychology in Australia. In 2016 she was awarded a University of Melbourne Doctor of Science (honoris causa) for distinguished contributions to scientific and clinical knowledge of developmental psychology, and in 2018 she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for Autism Research.
Margot was a pioneer and leaves an important legacy. She was also a much loved family member and friend. Hers was a life well lived, to the fullest, and one that will be celebrated for a long time yet.