Early Career Researcher (ECR) Training Program Handbook

Transcription

1 Early Career Researcher (ECR) Training Program Handbook Training the future leaders of mental health and substance use research

2 Table of Contents Overview and Aim... 2 Objectives and Benefits.. 3 Program Structure.. - Meetings and social networking.. - Mentoring opportunities... - Grant Development Workshops.. - CREMS Annual National Conference Communications Annual Feedback Survey Members and Contact Details. - Dr Emma Barrett.. - Dr Natacha Carragher.. - Dr Heather Buchan Dr Erica Crome.. - Dr Tonelle Handley... - Dr Louise Mewton.. - Dr Christina Marel.. - Dr Kirsten Morley... - Dr Lexine Stapinski Dr Matthew Sunderland Dr Louise Thornton... - Dr Alyna Turner

3 Overview and Aim Established in 2012, the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use (CREMS) brings together the largest concentration of nationally and internationally recognised researchers to increase the knowledge base regarding the effective prevention and treatment of comorbid mental health and substance use disorders. The Chief Investigators of the CREMS span seven national and international universities and include the Director, Prof Maree Teesson (UNSW), Prof Amanda Baker (Newcastle University), A/Prof Katherine Mills (UNSW), A/Prof Frances Kay-Lambkin (UNSW), Prof Paul Haber (Sydney University), A/Prof Andrew Baillie (Macquarie University), Prof Helen Christensen (Black Dog, UNSW), Prof Max Birchwood (University of Birmingham, UK), Prof Bonnie Spring, Northwestern University, US), Prof Kathleen Brady, Medical University of South Carolina, US). (From left to right) Prof Paul Haber, Prof Helen Christensen, Prof Amanda Baker, The Hon Mark Butler (Australian Minister for Mental Health and Ageing), Prof Maree Teesson, The Hon Tanya Plibersek (Australian Minister for Health) A/Prof Katherine Mills, A/Prof Andrew Baillie, Prof Les Field, A/Prof Frances Kay-Lambkin The CREMS recognises the importance of providing early career researchers with the necessary training and skills to develop as the future leaders of substance use and mental health research. To this end, the CREMS Early Career Researcher (ECR) Training Program was established in The CREMS ECR Training Program provides early career researchers with the necessary training, skills and support to develop as the future leaders of substance use and mental health research. ECRs within the CREMS have world-class specialised training in the prevention, treatment, and epidemiology of mental health and substance use disorders. The CREMS ECR Training Program provides ECRs with the foundations upon which to build theirown successful programs of research. Working alongside peers and internationally recognised research leaders in seven different research institutions around the world, ECRs receive training in a variety of methodologies used to undertake comorbidity research. In addition, you will enhance your leadership, management, and research skills in a supportive and collaborative group. 2

4 Objectives and Benefits The objectives of the CREMS ECR Training Program are to: Expand research skills and knowledge Improve management and leaderships skills Provide mentorship opportunities Improve grant writing skills Provide opportunities for networking and collaboration with senior academics, peers and service providers in the community Provide professional and personal development support Provide opportunities to share new ideas, skills, and the latest research on comorbidity Promote of a collegial and supportive workplace The benefits of the CREMS ECR Training Program include: Development of a strong professional profile and career trajectory Increased confidence as researchers and clinicians Increased confidence and skill in mentoring and leadership skills Ongoing professional and personal development support Facilitation of collaborations with senior academics, peers and service providers in the community Opportunities to share new ideas, skills and the latest research on comorbidity Promotion of a collaborative and supportive workplace Who are our members? CREMS ECRs are researchers at academic Level A and Level B. This includes Postdoctoral Research Fellows and Research Fellows, Research Associates, Associate Lecturers and Lecturers. Our members are passionate about mental health and substance use research, interested in developing their career and enhancing their leadership, mentorship, grant writing skills. For more details on our members and their research interests, see the Member Profiles at the end of this Handbook. 3

5 Program structure - Meetings The CREMS ECR Training Program is organised and run by two Program Co-ordinators (Dr Emma Barrett and Dr Lexine Stapinski) and is overseen by the Program Director (A/Prof Katherine Mills). The structure is designed to provide our postdoctoral researchers with requisite support for both their professional and personal development, and is delivered through; i) meetings tailored specifically to the needs of its members, ii) formal and informal mentoring, iii) the CREMS Grant Development Workshops, and iv) the CREMS Annual National Conference. 1. Meetings and social networking Monthly meetings occur during the final week of each month and provide members with the opportunity to meet, share ideas, and to openly discuss any issues they may have. To cater for the unique needs of external or overseas postdoctoral members, there is the opportunity to join in via Skype or conference call. Minutes are taken and circulated to all members via . Members are also invited to attend workshops organised through the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) ECR Training and Development Program, which are held on the second Wednesday of each month. The NDARC ECR Training and Development Program aims to support ECRs at NDARC and external collaborating ECRs to become independent and productive researchers. These meetings are organised under the auspices of the NDARC Postdoctoral Executive Committee and topics reflect the needs and backgrounds of the members. The meetings include workshops facilitated by senior academics and other research experts followed by informal discussions where members can openly discuss any issues or concerns and network with colleagues. Food is provided to promote a comfortable and friendly setting (Details of the 2014 schedule of meetings are presented below). Date Meeting topics for 2014 (as an example) Apr 2014 Project management May 2014 How to write effective grant rebuttals Jun 2014 Working as a post-doc overseas 4 Jul 2014 Balancing academia and having a family Aug 2014 Advice and insider-tips for publishing Sept 2014 Disseminating your research via the media Sept th Annual National Postdoc Appreciation Week To recognise the significant contributions postdoctoral scholars make to research Oct 2014 Handling presentation anxiety and difficult questions Nov 2014 Series of grant workshops Dec 2014 Christmas drinks (December) Last Friday of Social Networking each month Members are invited to socialise and network in an informal, friendly setting Note. These meetings are organised by the NDARC Postdoctoral Executive Committee. They provide important and valuable opportunities for CREMS Postdoctoral researchers to network and collaborate with fellow researchers 4

6 Program Structure - Mentoring 2. Mentoring opportunities At CREMS we believe mentoring facilitates supportive relationships that are integral for guidance and research career development. As such, the CREMS ECR Training Program provides opportunities not only to receive mentoring, but also to provide mentoring to peers. Mentoring offers a numer of benefits. For the mentee, mentoring can increase self-confidence and ability, help clarify career paths and goals, enhance skills and knowledge and broaden research collaborations. For mentors, such relationships can also broaden research collaborations, increase research profile, and assist in developing leadership skills. For CREMS, mentoring promotes collegiality, and increases productivity and staff commitment. Members are assisted in accessing and providing mentoring (both formal and informal) through three complimentary processes: i. Mentoring provided by the Chief Investigators of the CREMS As a main aim of the CREMS ECR Training Program is to provide world class specialised training in the prevention, treatment and epidemiology of comorbidity, members have unique access to support from the Chief Investigators of CREMS. Based in institutions across Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the Chief Investigators are Prof Maree Teesson (UNSW), Prof Amanda Baker (Newcastle University), A/Prof Katherine Mills (UNSW), A/Prof Frances Kay-Lambkin (UNSW), Prof Paul Haber (Sydney University), A/Prof Andrew Baillie (Macquarie University), Prof Helen Christensen (Black Dog, UNSW), Prof Max Birchwood (University of Birmingham, UK), Prof Bonnie Spring, Northwestern University, US), Prof Kathleen Brady, Medical University of South Carolina, US). They represent a multidisciplinary team of international experts in the field of comorbidity and offer extensive research and clinical experience in the mental health and drug and alcohol arenas. Postdoctoral members can seek advice from by Chief Investigators with the aim of promoting the professional and personal development. 5

7 Program Structure - Mentoring ii. Peer-to-peer support Members have the opportunity to initiate informal peer-to-peer mentoring with other members of the CREMS ECR Training Program. This provides members with the opportunity to develop their skills, knowledge and experience as mentees and/or mentors with familiar peers in a supportive environment. As the CREMS ECR members are based in seven institutions from around the world, such mentoring relationships provide valuable international perspectives on important aspects of our academic careers. iii. Mentoring drug and alcohol and mental health workers in the field: The CMHDARN Community Mentoring Program The CREMS and the Community Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Research Network (CMHDARN) are working in partnership to implement an exciting new CMHDARN Community Mentoring Program. This opportunity recognises a shared interest in improving comorbidity research and practice, as well as a commitment to optimising the translation and impact of research findings. This Mentoring Program aims to provide workers in community managed organisations with an interest in research with academic mentor support to develop their research knowledge and skill development. CREMS ECRs offer support to individuals and organisations in developing their research practice, skills and knowledge. Short-term informal mentoring (3-6 months) and/or longer-term formal mentoring (6-12 months) will be delivered based on the specific areas indicated by the mentees. This is a unique and highly beneficial opportunity for CREMS ECR members to gain valuable mentoring experience, increase research knowledge and skills, enhance understanding of community managed organisations, and engage with the community. The Mentoring Program also promotes capacity building and facilitates the development of a collaborative research culture between CREMS and service providers to promote practice-based research. Feedback from the initial year (2014) of the CMHDARN Community Mentoring Program highlighted the benefits for mentors and mentees alike, with all participants rating the program as either very good or excellent. Mentee s feedback indicated the program was valuable in terms of guiding their approach to research and service evaluation, and directing them towards resources and tools. ECR mentors identified benefits associated with the program including development of their leadership skills, and enhanced understanding and connection to community organisations and treatment services. After a successful first year, the CMHDARN Community Mentoring Program will continue to grow, aided by the detailed feedback and suggestions provided by participants. For more information: 6

8 Program Structure Grant Writing & Conferences 3. Grant Development Workshops Members have a valuable opportunity to attend three Annual Grant Development Workshops designed to provide continued support with grant applications throughout the year. These workshops are designed so that senior academics and ECR researchers can provide and receive targeted advice in the planning, development, and revision of grant applications. Moreover, these workshops provide the opportunity for ECR members to review other grants and be spokespersons during the workshops (as reflected by the NHMRC model of grant review). This is a valuable opportunity for members to experience the grant review process. Workshop topic Strategic planning for grant submissions Preparing grant rebuttals Developing and reviewing grants Date February (1-day) May (1-day) November (2-days) 4. Annual National Conference The CREMS Annual National Conference brings together consumers, clinical researchers, and service providers with the aim of disseminating and translating the latest research in comorbidity. The Conferences showcase our innovative research in the field of mental health and substance use, and are held annually in conjunction with the Mental Health Services Annual Conference (TheMHS). The 2013 conference held in Melbourne and 2014 conference in Perth were hugely successful, with very encouraging audience feedback indicating that their participation will directly and positively impact their work. Members of the CREMS ECR Training Program are invited to attend and present at the CREMS Annual National Conference. The conference provides an optimal setting to not only publicise research but to network with consumers, clinical researchers, and service providers in the drug and alcohol and mental health fields. Additionally, members will have the opportunity to organise and convene the Conference. With the support of senior academics, this experience is beneficial in developing research experience, profile, and CV. 7

9 Communication Annual Feedback Survey Outcomes of the CREMS ECR Training Program are assessed via a feedback survey. At the end of each academic year, members are asked to respond confidentially to a short, electronic survey. This information serves not only to evaluate the progress of the program for that year, but informs revisions and refinements to the program. Communication All CREMS ECRs are automatically a member of the CREMS ECR Training Program and provided with a copy of this Handbook. Members can communicate via and in-person at monthly meetings. Those who are located off-site can join the monthly meetings using the advanced Skype facilities set up in the meeting room. Outlook calendar invites are sent to all members by the Secretary for monthly meetings and other activities. Members are also encouraged to use to generate informal discussions or seek advice. Contact us For more details about CREMS and the CREMS ECR Training Program visit If you have any questions please contact the Program Co-ordinators, Dr Emma Barrett (e.barrett@unsw.edu.au) or Dr Lexine Stapinski (l.stapinski@unsw.edu.au). Mental Health and Substance Use CREComorbidity 8

10 9 Members and Contacts Program Co-ordinators Dr Emma Barrett, NDARC UNSW Dr Lexine Stapinski, NDARC UNSW Early Career Researchers Dr Heather Buchan, NDARC UNSW Dr Erica Crome, Macquarie University Dr Tonelle Handley, University of Newcastle Dr Christina Marel, NDARC UNSW Dr Louise Mewton, CRUfAD, UNSW Dr Kirsten Morley, Sydney University Dr Matthew Sunderland, NDARC UNSW Dr Louise Thornton, Northwestern University/Uni of Newcastle Dr Alyna Turner, University of Newcastle We are very grateful to the previous CREMS ECR Training Program Co-ordinator, Dr Natacha Carragher, for her assistance with and contribution to the Program and this Handbook. 9

11 Member Profile Dr Emma Barrett National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre University of New South Wales Background Emma joined NDARC in 2007 and completed her PhD in Her research examined the relationships between substance use, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and aggression using population-level and clinical sample data. Emma is currently a Research Fellow and registered Forensic Psychologist and her postdoctoral research continues to focus on links between substance use, trauma and aggression. She has experience in the conduct and co-ordination of randomised controlled trials of innovative treatments for individuals with comorbid conditions in a range of settings. Research interests Treatment of comorbid substance use and mental health disorders and associated harms (particularly in relation to comorbid substance use and PTSD) Clinical and forensic implications of comorbidity Mental health treatment in forensic settings Associations between substance use and crime Substance use prevention and early intervention Methodological expertise Analysis of large-scale epidemiological data sets Analysis of randomised controlled trial data Longitudinal analysis (including GEE analysis) Data linkage 10

12 Member Profile Dr Heather Buchan National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre University of New South Wales Background Heather joined NDARC in February 2013 as a Research Associate. Her postdoctoral work currently focusses on investigating the assessment of major depression in older adults and examining potential age-related biases in the diagnostic instruments. Heather completed her PhD in November 2012 at the University of Wollongong, in which she conducted a longitudinal study of children s language development in an Aboriginal community in northern Australia. Heather has extensive experience with multidisciplinary research projects across Psychology, Education, Public Health and Linguistics. Research interests Cognitive development (and decline) over the lifespan Geriatric psychiatry Assessment and diagnosis of mental disorders Developmental psychopathology Epidemiology Methodological expertise Longitudinal data collection and analysis Interviewing (including cognitive interviewing) Simple and complex transcription with linguistic and thematic analysis Analysis of large-scale epidemiological datasets Latent variable modelling 11

13 Member Profile Dr Erica Crome Centre of Emotional Health Macquarie University Background Erica currently works as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Centre of Emotional Health after completing her PhD/Masters of Clinical Psychology through Macquarie University in She was awarded the Vice Chancellors Commendation for Academic Excellence for her thesis exploring how to refine diagnosis and conceptualisation of social anxiety disorder. She has two primary research interests, the first being understanding and managing comorbidity between common disorders such as social anxiety disorder and substance use. She is also currently investigating the information needs of Australian mental health clinicians in order to optimise research dissemination. As a registered psychologist, Erica also works as a Research Clinician at the Emotional Health Clinic at Macquarie University, and has broad range of clinical experience including anxiety and depression across the lifespan, problem gambling and chronic pain. Research interests The aetiology, assessment and management of comorbidity between mental disorders, primarily social anxiety disorder Identifying the what information clinicians need and use to make clinical decisions The translation and dissemination of research into clinical practice Identifying cost-effective methods of treating and managing common mental disorders Maximising research investments through secondary analysis of epidemiological datasets Methodological expertise Latent structure modelling and psychometric methods Analysis of large-scale epidemiological data sets Designing and implementing randomised controlled trials. Diagnostic and clinical assessment 12

14 Member Profile Dr Tonelle Handley National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre University of New South Wales Background Tonelle joined NDARC in 2014, after completing her PhD in 2013 at the University of Newcastle. Her thesis explored the longitudinal determinants of suicidal ideation across clinical and community-based samples, and evaluated treatment options for people experiencing thoughts of suicide. Her postdoctoral research, which is funded by a fellowship from Australian Rotary Health, is centred on suicide prevention strategies for young Australians with a focus on co-occurring mental health and substance misuse as key risk factors, and incorporates both public health and clinical approaches. Research interests Determinants of, and treatment options for, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in community and clinical samples Associations between co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviours Effectiveness of internet-delivered treatments for suicidal ideation Improving access to mental health services Rural mental health Methodological expertise Design, administration and analysis of epidemiological studies Longitudinal data analysis Analysis of randomised controlled trial data Pooling of independent data sets 13

15 Member Profile Dr Louise Mewton Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression University of New South Wales Background Louise Mewton is a Research Fellow at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC). As part of her doctoral research, Louise used epidemiological data and latent variable modelling techniques to examine the epidemiology and classification of substance use disorders in young adults. Since the completion of her PhD in November 2011, Louise has developed a program of clinical research that focuses on internet-delivered programs for anxiety and depression. Louise is currently working on the Climate Schools Combined Study, which combines school-based universal prevention programs for substance use, anxiety and depression. Louise is particularly interested in the application of innovative methods and techniques to further our understanding of the epidemiology, classification and prevention of substance misuse and mental illness during the critical adolescent period. Research interests Epidemiology of psychiatric illness Accuracy and validity in psychiatric classification Prevention of psychiatric illness, particularly in adolescence Internet-delivered treatment platforms Biostatistics Methodological expertise Latent variable modelling Analysis of large-scale survey databases Longitudinal and repeated measures data analysis Design and analysis of randomised controlled trials 14

16 Member Profile Dr Christina Marel National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre University of New South Wales Background Christina completed her PhD in Criminology through the University of New South Wales in 2011, which examined the regulatory approaches to volatile substance misuse in the Alice Springs Town Camps, Northern Territory. She is a Post-doctoral Research Fellow, and recently completed coordinating the largest, and longest running study to examine treatment outcomes for heroin dependence in Australia the NHMRC funded 11- year follow-up of the Australian Treatment Outcome Study (ATOS; n = 615). Her postdoctoral research focuses on the long-term trajectories of heroin dependence and comorbid mental health disorders. She has experience in the coordination of longitudinal research, and research examining comorbid substance use and mental health disorders among complex populations. Research Interests Longitudinal trajectories of heroin use Comorbid substance use and mental health disorders Mental health treatment in forensic settings Relationships between substance use and crime, particularly over time Indigenous drug and alcohol use Translating research into practice Methodological Expertise Design, collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data Longitudinal analysis (including GEE analysis) 15

17 Member Profile Dr Kirsten Morley Discipline of Addiction Medicine University of Sydney Background Kirsten completed her PhD in Psychopharmacology and an MPH before beginning her postdoctoral fellowship in clinical research at the Discipline of Addiction Medicine. Kirsten is currently a Research Fellow investigating the efficacy and bio-behavioural basis of treatments for substance use and associated comorbidities (e.g. suicide risk, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances and liver disease) through integration of neuropharmacological and psychosocial frameworks. Research interests Pharmacological and psychosocial treatment of substance use and comorbidities Neurobehavioural basis for the pharmacotherapy of alcoholism Clinical predictors of treatment response Neurobiology of addiction Methodological expertise Clinical research design Coordinating randomised controlled trials Analysis of randomised controlled trail data Longitudinal analysis Meta-analysis 16

18 Member Profile Dr Lexine Stapinski National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre University of New South Wales Background Lexine joined NDARC in November 2013 as a Research Fellow. She currently manages a collaborative project to develop and disseminate illicit drug resources for Australian teachers, parents and students. She completed her PhD and Masters in Clinical Psychology in 2009 at Macquarie University. Prior to joining NDARC she worked at the Centre for Emotional Health investigating the relationship between and treatment of co-morbid social phobia and alcohol use disorders. She also spent two years within the School of Social & Community Medicine at the University of Bristol where she explored longitudinal patterns of substance use and mental health in adolescents. Research interests Prevention & drug education Use of the internet and other technologies (for drug education) Patterns of alcohol and substance use in adolescence Anxiety disorders (particularly Social Phobia, Generalised Anxiety Disorder) Co-morbidity between anxiety disorders and alcohol/drug use Methodological expertise Experimental Psychology (including psycho-physiological assessment, alcohol administration studies) Latent variable modelling (latent class analysis, latent growth modelling) Analysis of large epidemiological data sets (including procedures for handling missing data) 17

19 Member Profile Dr Matthew Sunderland National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre University of New South Wales Background Matthew completed his PhD at the University of New South Wales in His PhD focused on novel methods to develop short form instruments when measuring common mental disorders in the general population. Since then Matthew has received a NHMRC early career fellowship to develop efficient diagnostic instruments for co-morbid conditions using underlying dimensional constructs (internalising, externalising, thought disorders) as the guiding theoretical framework rather than the existing categorical framework of the DSM. Matthew has also received NHMRC project grant funding to look at diagnostic bias in the epidemiological instruments when assessing major depressive episode in older Australian adults. This program of research seeks to improve how mental disorders are assessed in clinical and research settings in the future. Research interests Psychiatric classification and diagnosis Co-morbidity Old age psychiatric epidemiology Dimensional forms of assessment e-mental Health screening tools Methodological expertise Latent variable modelling (e.g., factor analysis, latent class analysis, factor mixture analysis, growth mixture models) Psychometrics and test construction Cognitive interviewing and survey research Analysis of large scale epidemiological and clinical data sets (regression, decision tree analysis, mixed models) 18

20 Member Profile Dr Louise Thornton Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health University of Newcastle Background Louise completed her PhD in 2012 at the University of Newcastle. Her doctoral research investigated tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use, and attitudes towards these substances, among people with and without mental disorders. Louise currently holds the position of a post-doctoral research scholar within CREMS and was hosted by Professor Bonnie Spring in the Department of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago between April 2013 and May During her time at Northwestern University Dr Thornton spearheaded the development of an intervention aimed at addressing smoking cessation and weight gain prevention among people with mental disorders. In 2015 she will commence a UNSW Vice-Chancellor Postdoctoral fellowship at NDARC in which she plans to develop and evaluate a mobile app addressing health risk behaviours among people with mental disorders. Research interests Health risk behaviours including tobacco use, excessive alcohol use, poor diet and physical inactivity Co-morbidity between health risk behaviours and mental health problems The potential role of the Internet and mobile technologies to improve health and health research How patient engagement with drug and alcohol, and lifestyle, interventions can be improved Methodological expertise Design, administration and analysis of survey research (particularly online) Design, collection and analysis of qualitative data 19

21 Member Profile Dr Alyna Turner Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health University of Newcastle Background Dr Turner (BSc(Psyc)(Hons), PhD) is a Clinical Psychologist at the University of Newcastle, and a Research Fellow at Deakin University. She has worked with people with comorbid conditions (mental health/ substance misuse/ physical health conditions) in a clinical and research capacity for over 13 years. In a research capacity, she has experience in the development, delivery and evaluation of psychological interventions for people with comorbid conditions (heart disease, stroke, diabetes, CVD risk behaviours, depression, anxiety, substance misuse, psychotic illness), based on cognitive behaviour therapy, problem solving therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness based stress reduction techniques. She has significant experience with coordination of randomised controlled trials, including most recently coordination of a multi-site RCT of a pharmacological intervention for depression in people with bipolar disorder. Research interests Treatment of coexisting physical and mental health conditions, particularly post-stroke depression and depression and anxiety disorders in people with cardiovascular disease. Psychological interventions for coexisting mental health and substance use disorders Depression screening in physical health settings Psychological interventions for cardiovascular risk behaviour reduction Methodological expertise Randomised controlled trial development and coordination Psychological intervention development and evaluation 22 20

22 Editors: Emma Barrett, Natacha Carragher, Lexine Stapinksi, Katherine Mills, Stephanie O Donnell, Jasmin Bartlett Last updated: 6/11/2014