Reflections on Forty Years of Research Discovery

Newbold Auditorium

My research career began in the summer of 1972 as a doctoral student at the University of Kentucky with a project applying role theory to becoming a “street drug addict”. I have had an active research project every year since that time with publications each year since 1975 (American Journal of Psychiatry) to 2012 (Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment) with at least two more in line for 2013. At this reflective moment, I want to reflect on some existential questions of why, what it has meant, why I still do it (and why all should think about doing it). Such issues as the role of expectations of mentors, the thrill of discovery, the meaning of impact, the joy of mentoring, the satisfaction of being a part of the discussion at the edges of one’s field, and confronting the tyranny of the daily will be discussed. Finally, the research environment at Andrews will be examined in terms of how it facilitates research, the barriers that exist here and perhaps how and why we should overcome them and contribute to Andrews being a part of the life of the mind and discovery and impact.