SMITHFIELD, RI – Bryant Psychology Professor Nanci Weinberger and Ryan L. Brown ‘17, a Doctoral candidate in Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine at Rice University, have teamed up to create Sci-tea, a series of video conversations that creates a bridge between behavioral science researchers and multidisciplinary practitioners and policymakers with common interests.
What started out as a faculty-student mentoring relationship at Bryant University in 2014 has grown into to a full partnership between accomplished peers who are making valuable contributions and a big difference in their field.
“Collectively, the conversations demonstrate that the value of research extends far beyond publication.”
Sharing knowledge in this collaborative way allows practitioners to more easily access emerging research and best practices that will directly benefit those they seek to help. “Collectively, the conversations demonstrate that the value of research extends far beyond publication,” notes Weinberger.
“The research we do shouldn’t just sit on a virtual shelf waiting for someone to find it,” says Weinberger, a Developmental Psychologist who has published research in a number of respected journals. “It should be brought to people who can more directly benefit. We’ve wanted to do something like this for a long time, and it’s rewarding to see it finally coming to fruition.”
Sci-tea premiered September 13 with the talk, “Sci-tea Gets Curious: Staying excited about behavioral science through conversation.” Other topics include getting kids excited about STEM, childhood exposure to violence, and healing through fun at “Serious Fun Network camp.”
Coming up on Nov. 19, the program will feature “Sci-tea Thinks Risky: Individual differences and risk assessment” with Heather Lacey, Ph.D., Bryant University Professor of Psychology and expert on judgment and decision making; and Hayley Bottino, a 2017 Bryant Psychology major, who earned an M.S. in human genetics and genetics counseling, and now works as a genetic counselor at Loma Linda University Health.
"Our practitioner guests have contributed so much valuable information and perspective that we may miss when just reading what is captured in academic journals."
Brown, who earned a Bryant Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Psychology in 2017, is also the creator of Ryan’s Science, a cross-platform science communication outlet that fosters curiosity and excitement around scientific research. Sci-Tea is the latest addition to the Ryan’s Science platform. All Sci-tea conversations are available wherever you listen to podcasts and more information about each episode can be found at https://www.ryanlinnbrown.com/sci-tea.
“We are excited to bring together behavioral scientists, and practitioners to explore research and its potential to impact individuals, families, and communities,” says Brown. “Our practitioner guests have contributed so much valuable information and perspective that we may miss when just reading what is captured in academic journals. We appreciate the opportunity to learn from each of our guests and are pleased to provide greater access to help amplify both the academic research and lived experiences of professionals in various fields related to behavioral science.”
This type of collaboration on research and real-world problem solving is a hallmark of the Bryant educational experience.
Weinberger and Brown began collaborating when Brown joined the Psychology department as a research assistant in her second year at Bryant. She collaborated with Weinberger and several other faculty members on research that was published in the Journal of Interior Design (special healthcare issue) in 2017. The partners have continued to work together and have published research in the Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research.
This type of collaboration on research and real-world problem solving is a hallmark of the Bryant educational experience.
About the Psychology program at Bryant University
Students who study psychology develop a strong foundation in psychological theory, then build upon that foundation through experiential applications such as day-to-day fieldwork, student/faculty-led research opportunities, and internships.
Bryant’s Psychology major emphasizes practical applications in all kinds of fields, including clinical settings, sports, legal systems, education, business, health promotion, decision-making, testing, and the environment. Students also may choose to pursue a concentration or a minor.
