The Cayuse community is thrilled to shine its Champion Spotlight on @Alicia Scott, IRB Director at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Keep reading below to get to know Alicia better!
How do you interact with Cayuse products on a daily basis?
I use Cayuse Human Ethics daily for our social behavioral research protocol reviews. We switched from a different electronic submission system last year to Cayuse and we have not regretted that decision at all. As the IRB Director, I complete pre-reviews, Exempt, Expedite, and Full Reviews of applications to the IRB.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of working, I love to cook and read. I’ve recently purchased a new smoker and it’s getting good use. I grill all year round (even in the snow). I love to cook and read a good book in between cooking breaks. I also love watching TV shows on Food Network and HGTV.
What do you see as the hottest trends in research today?
Some of the hottest trends that I see in research today are topics about diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, research on creating and perfecting methods to assist individuals with developmental conditions are really common at my institution.
What do you consider most promising in the era of big data?
When it comes to big data, I do see a lot more flexibility with methods of sharing data. I see a future of more researchers conducting research with the same data sets for multiple purposes. The original purpose of data collection is constantly evolving with the increase of secondary data analysis studies.
How can an organization stay relevant five years from now?
An organization must keep up with the trends in research. Trending topics are there for a reason and if organizations are not willing to evolve based upon the trending needs of employees, retention will be an issue. I think a more transparent approach to organizational goals and having employees be more involved in the organizational changes will decrease turnover rates. When individuals feel like their opinions matter, they tend to stay committed to the common goal of an organization. Employee input is a must to keep an organization afloat as they are essentially running the day-to-day operations of the organization.
What app would be hard for you to live without?
The apps that I cannot live without are my Amazon Shopping and Microsoft Outlook apps. Amazon has become one of my best friends since the pandemic. The ease of being able to find the things that I need and with just a few clicks, it’s ordered and in the process of being delivered, is phenomenal. While I love it, I’ve had to slow down on the use of it. Also, the Outlook app has become so convenient for me. As a remote employee, I’ve definitely had to make big changes in my schedule and this app helps me to check emails on the go. If there is a time that I need to step away for lunch or leave early for an appointment, this app provides me with the capability to check and respond to emails even when I’m away from my laptop.
If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
If I could meet any historical figure, I would choose Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman elected to Congress. During her time in Congress, she fought to improve many things which have an effect on minorities. She raised awareness and fought for women’s equality, education equality, and health services. Being an African American woman born and raised in Chicago, the odds of me getting a degree in Biological Sciences was not likely. However, it is women like Shirley Chisholm who made this possible for me to achieve and develop confidence in my abilities. I see that the things that she fought to raise awareness for, continue to be a problem in America. However, it only takes one voice to raise the initial awareness and I see her as being the pioneer for this. I am forever grateful for her strength and determination.
Thank you, Alicia, for being a Cayuse Champion and sharing your thoughts!