Empowering Students and Early Career Professionals in Disability Research

 

Kayla Canis, MS

University of North Texas, Denton

Students and early career professionals have become engaged as researchers in the field. This work prepares us with hands-on experience, cultivates professional growth, and instils a deeper commitment to the field. Our involvement can help to foster a diverse and inclusive environment that reflects the broader needs of our communities and helps to advance and sustain a collaborative approach to research leadership and learning.

 

Students and early career professionals have a stake in the future of disability research. At every level of expertise there should be space for us to shadow faculty, collaborate with staff, review with peers, and contribute to teams where our value is evident. These opportunities can help us build a strong foundation of leadership while gaining essential skills and experience. We can bring a forward-thinking perspective to projects.

 

Providing opportunities for students and early career professionals echo the field’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Investing in developing the leaders and researchers of the future is essential to both remain responsive to the field’s evolving needs and to continue its advancement.