Demystifying Research: Dialogue on training, careers, and all things research

Hosts Dr. Kelly Harris and Dr. Catherine Hoyt welcome Dr. Jessica Kersey to discuss managing research training while parenting and maintaining relationships. They cover challenges unique to parenting during a PhD, scheduling and logistical hurdles, mental and emotional load, strategies for productivity and self-care, creating supportive partnerships and networks, and whether to wait to have children while pursuing research training.

Dr. Brandy Archie, OTD, OTR/L, CLIPP and Sarah Lyon, MS, OTR/L join us to discuss projects outside of occupational therapy including topics such as learning experiences, transitions, starting a business, building relevant skills within entrepreneurship, facing risk and failures, business mentors, and the importance of talking about goals with our hosts Kelly Harris, PhD, CCC-SLP, and Catherine Hoyt, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA.

Cory D. Bradley, PhD, MSW, MPH joins us to discuss the definition of equity and implementation; advancing equity through generation of knowledge; democratization; how racism negatively impacts knowledge generation; inclusion and exclusion of participants; language censorship; how to engage in systems as a professional; and more alongside our hosts Kelly Harris, PhD, CCC-SLP, and Catherine Hoyt, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA.

Dr. Audrey Keleman, Ph.D., joins us to share her insights on the life of a PhD student, discussing the challenges and rewards of pursuing advanced education in rehabilitation and participation science. She reflects on her journey from being an occupational therapist to a postdoc, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, self-care, and community support throughout the PhD experience. Dr. Keleman also highlights strategies for managing stress, setting deadlines, and finding the right fit in academic programs, all while navigating the complexities of research and personal growth alongside hosts Kelly Harris, PhD, CCC-SLP, and Catherine Hoyt, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA.

Deanna M. Barch, Ph.D. joins us to discuss why kindness matters in science, the value of kindness when participating in interprofessional collaboration with other medical professionals, balancing leadership and mentorship, and sharing practical strategies for being thoughtful and responsive with our hosts Kelly Harris, PhD, CCC-SLP, and Catherine Hoyt, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA.

Dr. Rachel Proffitt Wolpert OTD, OTR/L, joins us to discuss barriers in graduate school and other relevant topics such as sustaining a healthy system with school, reporting sexual harassment, mentor relationships, fostering safe spaces for students, finding the right person, and understanding institutional responses and culture with our hosts Kelly Harris, PhD, CCC-SLP, and Catherine Hoyt, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA.

Lady J. Rios-Vega, OTD, OTR/L, CASI, joins hosts Kelly Harris, PhD, CCC-SLP, and Catherine Hoyt, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, to discuss engaging in research as a clinician with an OTD degree. Topics include working with diverse and underserved populations, the value of applying clinical experience to research, advice on transitioning from a student to the research world, important skills to develop or advance, the importance of interprofessional collaboration, and securing funding as a clinician.

Douglene Jackson, PhD, OTR/L, LMT, ATMP, CYT, FAOTA, joins us to discuss the importance of self-care, preserving well-being, leading a rest revolution, keeping boundaries, minimizing stress, implementing helpful practices, valuing work-life balance, tapping into resources, and navigating barriers with our hosts Kelly Harris, PhD, CCC-SLP, and Catherine Hoyt, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA.

Natalie Chang-Wright, MBA-HCM, COTA/L, ROH, joins hosts Kelly Harris, PhD, CCC-SLP, and Catherine Hoyt, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, to discuss imposter syndrome. Topics include defining imposter syndrome, discussing the validity of the term, systemic causes, influences, societal disparities that contribute to these feelings, superwoman schema, and how to proactively support changes within your departments and institutions to create a better, more welcoming environment.

Dr. Dominique Como, PhD, EdM, OTR/L joins us to discuss funding mechanisms and pipelines for rehabilitation science. Topics include securing funding for your program and research area, getting outside support when applying, knowing what questions to ask, aligning your funder's goals with your own, engaging with the OT community, and more with our hosts Dr. Kelly Harris, PhD, CCC-SLP and Dr. Catherine Hoyt, PhD, OTD, OTR/L.