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Research Matters PodcastAuthor: Jason Luoma, Ph.D.
In the Research Matters Podcast, I interview leading scientific researchers in psychology and other social sciences in an effort to understand what they do that makes them productive. This podcast is intended to help graduate students, professors, and scientists learn actionable strategies that can help them in their own research endeavors. I strive to help draw out the tips, tricks, habits, and routines of extraordinarily productive researchers. In these interviews, we cover topics like: How to develop a programmatic line of research How to build a team of amazing collaborators Getting things done Writing productively Grant writing strategies Creating an effective research lab Applying design thinking to research How to develop great research ideas When to turn your research into a book Managing grad students Maintain a balance with other aspects of life, such as health, fun, and family How to choose which projects to invest in How to be efficient And much more Language: en Genres: Science, Social Sciences Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Mary Alvord, PhD, on Building Resilience, Scaling Access, and Practice-Based Research in Real-World Settings
Episode 3
Monday, 22 September, 2025
Dr. Mary Alvord is a clinical psychologist with over four decades of experience, known for her innovative work integrating cognitive-behavioral therapy with resilience training for youth. As founder of Alvord, Baker & Associates and the nonprofit Resilience Across Borders, Dr. Alvord has led a groundbreaking effort to merge clinical practice, research, and social impact. In this episode, she shares how her early experiences as the daughter of immigrants shaped her mission to provide equitable mental health support for underserved communities. We explore her transition from private practice to conducting research in school-based and low-resource settings, her challenges navigating the grant and IRB systems, and her founding of a nonprofit to ensure long-term sustainability and scale. Dr. Alvord discusses her emphasis on team collaboration, ethical imperatives for outcome research, and how she's helping bridge the gap between evidence-based practice and community-based application. In this episode, you'll learn… Why Dr. Alvord created a nonprofit to sustain mental health research and services How early training in behavioral psychology inspired her lifelong research values The logistical and ethical challenges of conducting practice-based research in schools Strategies for integrating outcome research into clinical practice The importance of cultural responsiveness in designing and delivering mental health interventions How to create a team culture of collaboration and perseverance in the face of rejection Tips from the episode: On building resilient communities: Start with prevention and reach youth early — ideally within school settings Empower underserved communities by removing barriers to access Cultural relevance and linguistic inclusivity are essential in outreach materials On sustaining research in real-world settings: Private practices can support research — if values and resources align Building partnerships with universities offers mutual benefits in research Establishing a nonprofit can open doors to grants and expand your impact On leading a mission-driven team: Weekly research meetings foster continuity and shared vision Advisory boards and community members can help shape programs Perseverance is key — most grant applications and papers will face rejection, but the impact is worth it Links from this Episode: https://alvordbaker.com/
