The establishment of a local and national interdisciplinary research network aims to strengthen and qualify research on families associated with the health care system. The interdisciplinary network's research includes families in which a child, an adult, or an elderly individual is connected to the healthcare system due to somatic or mental health conditions. The patient journey may extend from initial assessment and diagnosis to complete follow-up or death and the subsequent grieving proces. Research can be drawn from all disciplines within health research, encompassing physiological, psychological, social, or existential perspectives across various diagnoses and conditions. Research projects may involve basic, descriptive, experimental, or intervention research, as well as research employing qualitative or quantitative methods.
Aim
Network – facilitate a local, national, and interdisciplinary network to promote and support the involvement and research of young researchers within the field of research that addresses family relationships in the healthcare system in various ways. Knowledge sharing – create a safe and ambitious forum in which young researchers can share knowledge, research findings, and methods related to projects on families in the healthcare system across diverse health professional backgrounds and research designs and methods. Collaboration – promote collaboration among network members, clinical departments, sectors, and research units both locally and nationally to enhance the development of research and related projects in family research within the healthcare domain. This includes serving as a platform for idea generation and contributing to mutual support, encouragement, and guidance among the network members. Dissemination – participation in national and international conferences contributes to the dissemination of knowledge in the research field among students, clinicians, researchers, and healthcare decision-makers, as well as interest groups and organizations.Activities
- Duration of network meetings: Quarterly
- Joint participation in national and international conferences, seminars, etc.
- Conduct research projects (participate as co-researchers in each other's projects when relevant).
- Establish and strengthen relevant international networks.
- Organize online writing sessions.
- Participation in social activities such as exhibitions, cinema or theater performances, etc., related to the research field.
- Attendance at network members' Ph.D. defenses or similar activities.
Members
Membership in the network is primarily open to young researchers (in terms of experience) engaged in research projects related to or involving families in the healthcare system and affiliated with FaCe:
- Bachelor students
- Master or graduate students
- Pre-Ph.D. students
- Ph.D. students
- Research assistants
- Postdocs
- Lecturers
Network Meetings
Annual calender: Meeting activities are planned at the first meeting of the year. Network meetings are held once per quarter for two hours.
Meeting structure:
- Roundtable: "Currently, I am particularly focused on..."
- Presentation by a community member (responsibility for presentations rotates)
- A presentation related to their project; e.g., methodology, article presentation, international experience, conference participation, project challenges, etc.
- Discussion based on the presentations or current public debates relevant for the research field.
External Speaker Presentation:
At each meeting, an external speaker is invited to give an inspiring presentation.
The responsibility for inviting and introducing the speaker, as well as moderating subsequent questions and discussions, rotates among members.
The speaker could be a mentor, an international researcher participating online, another Ph.D. student with an interesting project, etc.
Commitment
Members commit to active participation in network activities and contributing to the aims of the network. Additionally, they may take on responsibilities such as presenting, inviting external speakers, planning and managing meetings, planning and managing writing sessions, and contributing social media content about the network.
Principles supporting the network
The principles supporting the network are crucial for creating a dynamic and effective interdisciplinary research network in family research. These principles will promote professional development, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among network members. Following these principles can lead to greater success in achieving the network objectives.
Relevant content at each meeting:
Ensure that meetings and activities in the network provide valuable content and cover relevant topics in family research in the healthcare system.
Active participation and member commitment:
Members are expected to actively contribute to network activities and tasks, and annual membership confirmation ensures engagement and continued involvement.
Interdisciplinary collaboration:
Maintain the focus of the network; promote collaboration and knowledge sharing across different professional backgrounds/areas.
Common tasks and projects:
Collaborate on common projects to strengthen cooperation and achieve tangible results.
Annual calendar for meetings and activities:
Establish a known and predictable structure for the network's meetings and activities throughout the year. This helps plan and organize activities effectively.
Inclusive research network:
Ensure the network is open and inclusive, welcoming all interested individuals to participate and contribute.
Create impact and influence:
Work towards creating influence and impact on research in family research in the healthcare system.
Participate in relevant activities in FaCe or related to it.
If you are interested in learning more about the network or becoming a part of it, please contact the FaCe mailbox at: contactface@sdu.dk