Page 56 - Summer2019

Networking Up
Winifred supported and mentored more than 50 students Discussion
and junior colleagues through 20+ federally funded grants. Both Winifred and Pat are successful, i.n part, because of their
Her contagious enthusiasm for her field attracted students ability to connect with people at all levels and share their
and colleagues from many disciplines. Winifred expanded enthusiasm for their research.
the field of speech perception research through her inspiring
mentorship and her active participation in national and inter- One of Winifred’s former students, Kanae Nishi, recalls how
national collaborative research. She has also been an excellent Winifred provided her mentees with opportunities to inter-
example in showing how having a nonacademic passion, in act in a casual setting with those in different career stages.
her case, dance, allows us to maintain a healthy work-life “Her lab meetings were open to anyone interested. She is a
balance and, in return, energizes our science careers. big supporter of the multidisciplinary research environment
and collaborations.”
Fall 2018 Honuree
Patricia Kuhl A senior mentor once told Pat, who was extremely nervous
Patricia (Pat) Kuhl has about making a research presentation, that she should con-
7 devoted her research career centrate on the fact that “science is always about the ideas,
5 V " to understanding speech per- not about you.” She has been living by that rule ever since.
_ :',‘_;‘g 1 ception and early learning of When there were diflicult talks to give i.n front of hundreds of
‘. speech and language. Pat people or a research finding that was unpopular among col-
5.F;_l:£_~_'§. 73 completed a PhD in Speech leagues, she focused on making the science clear, producing
-31: '5 ‘ Science at the University of more and stronger experimental results, and seeking advice
—-—_:-.7 Minnesota, Minneapolis, and and comments from senior colleagues about her research.
-Vi: postdoctoral training at the Through that process, she gradually established herself and
Central Institute for the Deaf, grew her network.
St. Louis, (MO), before joining the University of Washington,
Seattle, as a faculty member. For some, networking up may come naturally; for others,
questions abound as to how to approach the experts. For
Pat has served on numerous ASA committees and was the specific advice, we consulted a few ASA members at differ-
president of the Society from 1999 to 2000. As ASA president, ent stages of their careers a.nd who are based in different work
she focused on issues close to her heart: women’s and students’ environments. Their responses and advice that are found in a
involvement. She initiated the ASA Student Council, which few of the many available references (e.g., Burnett and Evans,
has improved the student experience tremendously (Flynn 2016; Misner, 2017; Golde, 2016) are summarized here.
and Young, 2018), and the percentage of female members in
the Society has risen significantly (Ronsse and Neilsen, 2017). General Ideas for Networking Up
Networking on all levels is a give-and-take process. As a student
Pat has an extensive network that includes experts from or early-career professional, you benefit greatly by forming
around the world. Pat is a Fellow of the ASA, the American connections with senior people. Natural concerns may arise
Psychological Society, and the American Association for that you are inconveniencing or bothering them, or you may
the Advancement of Science and a member of the National have fears that you willbe rejected by or upset them. If plagued
Academy of Sciences. She has received many awards, includ- by such concerns or fears, expand your focus to include the
i.ng the ASA Silver Medal in 1997 a.nd Gold Medal i.n 2008 for other person. Consider how this interaction can benefit the
contributions to understanding how children acquire spoken person with whom you are connecting. As your focus expands,
language and for leadership in the Society. She belongs to nervousness lessens, a.nd the interaction becomes more shared,
the Seattle Hall of Fame: 125 Most Influential People in a balanced, and meaningful.
50-year History. Pat spoke at three White House conferences:
First Lady Hilary Clinton’s White House Conference on Try to engage in a balanced conversation by asking questions
Early Childhood Development and Learning in 1997, First about their career and experiences while also discussing your
Lady Laura Bush’s Learning to Read Conference in 2001, and background, ideas, and interests. Avoid over-the-top praise.
President Obama’s Summit on Early Learning in 2014. Instead, prepare genuine compliments about their contribu-
54 | Anauslicl 'I'b:Iay| Summer 2019