Attending the AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting (ARM) offers junior researchers and faculty like myself and Dr. Kao-Ping Chua the opportunity to connect, share ideas, and engage in meaningful discussions about their research. ARM is not only about presenting work, but also building relationships within a broader research community. I experienced this firsthand at the 2024 ARM last June in Baltimore.
A few months before the conference, I read Dr. Chua’s paper on the elimination of the X waiver, a federal policy change around treatment for opioid use disorder which is the subject of my dissertation. I learned he would be presenting his work in a podium session, which I thoroughly enjoyed attending. As I set up my own poster about my work examining that same policy change, I was thrilled to find that Dr. Chua’s poster was displayed directly across from mine. This allowed me to discuss my own research with him in person in a conversation that was both insightful and encouraging, especially because I learned we were finding similar results. I was able to follow up with him and receive additional career advice a few months later, when my paper on the elimination of the X waiver was accepted for publication, which was particularly helpful as I prepare to enter the job market.
Our experience highlights the benefit of attending AcademyHealth’s ARM, and more broadly networking at the conference, where this intersection of research and networking can lead to meaningful, long-term professional relationships. As a Ph.D. student, I am discovering the importance of this and attending ARM each year helps me build a research network. Early career researchers like myself also have the chance to discuss their research interests with leading experts which can open doors to future collaborations and job opportunities that might not have been possible otherwise.
The importance of creating a research community cannot be overstated. At ARM, I found that it’s not just about presenting work, but also the support that comes with being part of a larger academic community. Faculty like Dr. Chua are often eager to offer career advice, discuss potential research ideas, and provide mentorship to junior researchers and trainees. These relationships can be invaluable when navigating the job market, whether you're looking for an academic position or exploring opportunities in industry or policymaking.
ARM is more than just a platform for showcasing research—it’s a place to connect with others with shared research interests and get career advice from those who have successfully navigated careers in health services and policy research. It’s a chance to see the trends that are shaping the field and see how the work you are doing fits into the broader, evolving conversation.
For junior researchers, ARM provides a unique opportunity to step out of the isolation that often comes with graduate school and begin building the network that will support them throughout their careers. Research is a collaborative effort, and the connections we build at places like ARM will shape our future work and careers.
Be sure to submit your ARM abstract to share your work in Minneapolis this June 7-10 here. The call for abstracts closes January 8, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET. Check back in early 2025 to register for early bird rates.
Related Reads:
- Dr. Chua's paper on X Waiver elimination in NEJM
- Ms. Bilden’s paper on the X waiver policy change in Pennsylvania
Editor’s Note: The author used ChatGPT to edit early drafts of this post prior to submitting for AcademyHealth review. The author’s use of this technology is compliant with AcademyHealth’s AI Acceptable Use Policy and, per that policy, underwent additional review to ensure accuracy, originality, and quality.