Women in Academia

Dr Ruth Brookman, Associate Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University

August 24, 2020 Irena Lovcevic Season 1 Episode 13
Women in Academia
Dr Ruth Brookman, Associate Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University
Show Notes

Today it's great to have Dr Ruth Brookman on the podcast. Dr Brookman is an Associate Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Technology and Ageing at the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University. She recently completed her PhD at the MARCS, examining depression and anxiety in the postnatal period with specific focus on the examination of maternal speech, the mother-infant interaction and infant developmental outcomes. The overall aim of this research was to examine the speech of depressed and anxious mothers to determine the effects upon infant attachment and developmental outcomes over time. This has clinical implications regarding early identification of at risk mothers, their infants and focus points for early psychological intervention with the mother-infant dyad. While completing the PhD studies, Dr Brookman also completed the Masters in Clinical Psychology. Listen to this episode to hear more on how to manage the two challenging degrees at the same time, while balancing the family life, and the great tips for thriving in Academia and life.

Time stamps:

[00:49] Dr Brookman's introduction
[01:11] Dr Brookman's research journey
[03:52] Obstacles in research journey
[07:47] Work/life balance
[12:37] Dr Brookman's research on depression and anxiety in the postnatal period and its effect of maternal speech and infant language development
[16:11] Dr Brookman's work in research program aimed at developing new assistive technologies to enhance quality of life in dementia care
[18:59] Plans for future research
[20:04] Issues that women in Academia are facing today according to Dr Brookman
[24:39] Dr Brookman's advice for everyone thinking about a career in Academia or for those just starting a career in Academia

Links:

Dr Brookman on the ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ruth_Brookman
The MARCS Institute: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/marcs
The MARCS BabyLab: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/babylab
Western Sydney University: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/

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