NAME:
Alanna Shwed
PROGRAM:
PhD in Kinesiology
RESEARCH SUPERVISOR(S):
Dr. Heather L. Gainforth
HOMETOWN:
Thornhill, ON
AWARDS:
UBC Okanagan Public Scholar
RESEARCH DESCRIPTION
There is a large gap between research and practice, and it is detrimental to both the research system and society more broadly. For example, closing this gap between research and practice could enhance the lives of over 86,000 Canadians living with a spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the priorities of people with SCI are often not reflected in research agendas leading to further gaps between research and practice. Research partnerships between researchers and research users (i.e., the public who benefit from and/or are impacted by research) are integral to ensuring research is relevant, innovative, and impactful. Unfortunately, only a small minority of research projects are done in partnership with research users. Problematically, researchers have been accused of taking a tokenistic approach to partnership where research users are asked to endorse research to legitimize research programs over which they have little real control (i.e., to tick a box). As a result, there is a call from the SCI community for there to be “nothing about us, without us” and for shared decision-making between researchers and research users throughout the entire research process.
An integrated knowledge translation (IKT) approach can help answer this call. IKT recognizes both researchers and research users as experts who collaborate throughout the entire research process. Research using an IKT approach can be impactful; however, research partnerships are complex and there are barriers such as limited system support, resources, and understanding of IKT processes. In response to the need for meaningful partnership in SCI research, a multidisciplinary group of SCI researchers, research users, and funders rigorously co-developed the first IKT Guiding Principles (see www.iktprinciples.com). However, the science of IKT and research partnership are in their infancy. We lack understanding about the processes of IKT and how to support use of the IKT Guiding Principles and meaningful research partnerships. To transform the SCI research system, research that identifies how to best develop and work in research partnerships is needed.
Therefore, for my PhD, I am working with the IKT Guiding Principles partnership and International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD) to understand what meaningful research partnerships looks like within SCI research. Together, we are aiming to identify how to build capacity for use of the IKT Guiding Principles and ultimately support both an increase in quantity and quality of research partnerships within the SCI research system.
WHAT DOES BEING A PUBLIC SCHOLAR MEAN TO YOU?
To me, being a public scholar means recognizing and valuing the humanity within science. It means doing person-centred work and celebrating and sharing the strengths that come from multiple forms of expertise, intersectional lenses, multi and interdisciplinary work, and meaningful research partnerships.
IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU THINK THE PHD EXPERIENCE CAN BE RE-IMAGINED WITH THE PUBLIC SCHOLARS INITIATIVE?
A PhD has traditionally been a siloed and individual endeavor. However, the PSI recognizes the value of expertise outside of the academic ivory tour. We are supported to think creatively and collaboratively during the knowledge synthesis, exchange, application, and dissemination processes.
HOW DO YOU ENVISION CONNECTING YOUR PHD WORK WITH BROADER CAREER POSSIBILITIES?
My PhD is setting the foundation for me to become the next generation of partnered researchers who are advocating for and making change in the research system. The work we are doing will have impact within and beyond the walls of our institution and help ensure that all research meaningfully engages and impacts the public who can benefit from our work.
HOW DOES YOUR RESEARCH ENGAGE WITH THE LARGER COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL PARTNERS?
In my research with the IKT Guiding Principles partnership and ICORD, we are working to support the quantity and quality of meaningful research partnerships within SCI research. I work directly with researchers, clinicians, people with SCI, representatives from SCI community organizations, and funding agencies to understand how to work in meaningful partnership and to co-create relevant, useful, and useable tools and resources for research partnerships.
HOW DO YOU HOPE YOUR WORK CAN MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO THE PUBLIC GOOD?
When research is done on people, instead of with and alongside, the results are more likely to be irrelevant, harmful, and ultimately unhelpful. Ultimately, my hope is that the work I do in my PhD will help contribute to making meaningful research partnerships a normal standard within science. My PhD work is a critical next step for supporting (1) the implementation of the IKT Guiding Principles, (2) an increase in quality of research partnerships, (3) closing the research practice gap to ultimately enhance the lives of all who can benefit from research findings.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO PURSUE A GRADUATE DEGREE?
At the end of my Bachelor of Physical and Health Education undergraduate degree, I was still unsure of what I wanted to do next. In my 4th year, I took Health Promotion, and the professor, Dr. Brenda Bruner, offered me the opportunity to work with and learn from her through a Masters in Kinesiology focusing on health promotion. At this point, all I knew was that I liked working with people and I wanted to do something meaningful. It was during my master’s degree that I learned science is more than just theories, experiments, and numbers; science requires human connection and asking the question “How can I help?” I decided to pursue a PhD with the hopes of learning how to do science in a way that meaningfully connects with the people who research findings aim to help.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO UBC OKANAGAN AND STUDY?
I chose to study at UBC Okanagan because of my PhD supervisor, Dr. Heather Gainforth. She is committed to transforming the research system to one that values and prioritizes the voices of all experts, not solely those in academia. I love science, but I did not see the value in continuing to do research if the findings were not going to be useful and useable to those the research was aiming to help. Dr. Gainforth is an expert in meaningful research partnerships and her incredible mentorship is setting me up to become a kind researcher that rigorously co-creates relevant, useful, and useable research with and alongside those whose lives science aims to enhance.
Alanna Shwed is a UBC Okanagan Public Scholar. Learn more about the Public Scholars Initiative (PSI).