Research Career Development Sessions at the ASHA Convention

Are you thinking about pursuing a PhD or looking for guidance on how to succeed in a research career? There are typically several research career development sessions at ASHA Convention, such as the following 2025 ASHA Convention offerings:

Practice-Based Evidence: Envisioning Opportunities for Moving Clinical Practices into Research
Session #1098
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 20

The pathway between research and clinical practice is traditionally viewed as a one-way street moving research to practice. In contrast, practice-based research moves clinical practices into research, further building evidence for improving client outcomes. Few studies include clinicians as co-creators, but this is changing. In this presentation, we recognize challenges clinicians face in becoming involved in research while concretely supporting clinicians who are interested in contributing to clinical outcomes research. We differentiate implementation science, quality improvement, and practice-based research, describe concrete steps for clinicians to build clinician-researcher partnerships, outline ways that data can empower clinicians within their own organization, and present a case study of a clinician-researcher collaboration. Let’s widen the clinical-research highway with traffic flowing in both directions!

Thinking About a PhD? Information for Prospective Doctoral Students
Session #1799
9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Saturday, November 22

In this session, successful researchers from a range of backgrounds discuss the purpose of a PhD; provide guidance on selecting a PhD program and mentor appropriate to the individual’s interests and career goals; and offer advice on how to be successful in a PhD program and beyond.

Successful Research Grant Writing in Communication Sciences and Disorders: Advice from the Experts
Session #1915
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 22

Procuring external funding to support a research program is important to the field of communication sciences and disorders and often an important component of success. Writing successful grant proposals is complicated, requiring practice and a detailed understanding of the grant preparation and review processes. In this session, a panel of experts who have experience as both funded researchers and grant reviewers will demystify the grant writing process and offer suggestions for writing competitive grants funded through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The focus will be on earlier career stages and institutions that are not heavily focused in research. Although the focus of the session is on NIH grants, the information presented is relevant to other funding sources (e.g., private foundations).