DEIThe Promotion Headquarters aims to help female researchers at this university strengthen their leadership skills through the organization of research meetings and other events, and to build networks that will lead to the development of the research they are leading."Support for organizing research meetings and other events by female researchers aiming to become principal investigators (PIs)"We are doing the following.
With this support, an international collaborative symposium entitled "Diversity and Loneliness/Isolation: Pursuing Justice through Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science" was held on November 4, 2024, led by Lecturer Risa Takashima of the Graduate School of Health Sciences.
Below, I will introduce the report.
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■Improvement of Leader Skills
Through the holding of this symposium, we felt that leadership skills had improved in the following ways:
• Collaboration skills
Working with experts from five different countries with diverse backgrounds to plan and manage the symposium reinforced my understanding of the importance of teamwork and collaboration. In particular, the process of coordinating with participants from different cultural backgrounds and areas of expertise to address challenges required flexibility and consideration as a leader. This international collaboration provided a valuable opportunity to further hone my own leadership skills.
• Networking skills
We were able to expand our international network with a view to future collaborative research and project launches. Many of the speakers were experts active in their respective countries, and we exchanged ideas with them, feeling the potential for future cooperation. Through this exchange, we reaffirmed the importance of networking skills that not only expand one's network but also allow for mutual learning and deepening relationships.
• Project management skills
Through my experience leading the entire process of a symposium, from the planning stage to its operation on the day, I improved my practical skills in project planning and progress management, as well as resource coordination. Specifically, it required meticulous management, such as coordinating communication with participants from various countries and making preparations in advance to ensure the smooth running of the event. I believe the experience gained in this process will be valuable in my future research activities and other projects.
■ Network construction and strengthening
This symposium was of great significance in strengthening networks that will contribute to the advancement of research.
• Expanding international networks
I was able to exchange ideas with participants from various countries and directly share the latest knowledge and approaches. For example, learning about approaches to loneliness and isolation in different countries compared to Japan added a new perspective to my own research and made my future direction more concrete. Furthermore, a foundation was laid for continuing collaborative research proposals and discussions even after the symposium concluded.
• Social influence
This forum provided a platform for discussing how occupational therapy and occupational science can contribute to addressing social issues, and it reinforced the understanding of the impact research has on society. In particular, discussions deepened regarding target groups requiring support, such as the elderly, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with mental disabilities. By strengthening collaboration with government agencies and practitioners, we can expect research results that directly lead to more practical problem-solving.
■ Contribution to independence as a PI
Taking on the responsibility of planning and managing the symposium myself was a great support in my pursuit of independence as a principal investigator, as follows:
• Experience leading projects
By taking on the role of designing and driving the overall flow of this symposium to ensure its success, I gained valuable lessons through practical leadership experience. This experience was extremely useful as a foundation for developing the ability to effectively lead projects as a PI and guide them toward achieving their goals.
• Enhancing the international perspective necessary for the advancement of research
The feedback obtained from multinational perspectives and the approaches of participants with diverse cultural and social backgrounds broadened the scope of the research and helped to form a more comprehensive view.
