DRS Trainee Engagement and Resource Survey
The Dysphagia Research Society Trainee Advisory Committee is exploring ways to build an online forum that better supports students and early-career professionals interested in dysphagia research. We would appreciate your input regarding how you would use this forum and which activities and resources would be most valuable to you.
This anonymous survey should take approximately 3–5 minutes to complete.
1. What is your current career or training stage? Select one.
*
Undergraduate student
Master's student
Clinical doctoral student
PhD student
Clinical fellow
Postdoctoral fellow
Early-career clinician
Early-career researcher or faculty member
Other
2. Are you currently a member of the Dysphagia Research Society?
*
Yes
No
Unsure
3. How interested would you be in participating in activities specifically for trainees/early career investigators and offered by the DRS Trainee Advisory Committee?
*
Very interested
Somewhat interested
Neutral
Slightly interested
Not interested
4. How would you like to participate in the community? Select all that apply.
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Read announcements and updates
Ask research or career-related questions
Respond to questions from other trainees
Participate in scheduled group discussions
Attend virtual writing or accountability groups
Share resources, opportunities, or publications
Connect individually with other trainees
Find collaborators with similar research interests
Participate in mentorship or peer-support activities
I would prefer to receive information without actively participating
Other
5. Which resources or activities would you be most likely to use? Select up to five.
*
Regular research writing groups
Manuscript or grant-writing accountability groups
Scheduled discussions or trainee chats
Informal networking sessions
Peer mentorship
Faculty or senior-researcher mentorship
Research methods and statistical resources
Grant and funding information
Career-development resources
Job, fellowship, and postdoctoral opportunities
Conference preparation and presentation support
Journal clubs or article discussions
Opportunities to identify research collaborators
Study recruitment or participant-sharing resources
Recorded webinars or short educational videos
Templates, examples, or research toolkits
Interactive online games, trivia, or other social activities
Other
6. Which discussion topics would be most valuable to you? Select all that apply.
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Developing a research question
Selecting study designs and methods
Statistics and data analysis
Scientific writing and publishing
Grant writing and funding
Research ethics and regulatory processes
Building collaborations
Finding mentors
Navigating graduate or postdoctoral training
Transitioning to an independent research career
Balancing clinical work and research
Preparing abstracts, posters, and presentations
Applying for jobs or fellowships
Other
7. How would you like to engage with other trainees during the 2027 DRS Annual Virtual Meeting? Select all that apply.
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Dedicated trainee networking time within the conference schedule
Virtual trainee "happy hour" or informal social event
Small-group networking organized by research or clinical interests
Trainee meet-and-greet before the conference begins
Career-development session specifically for trainees
Mentoring session with established researchers or clinicians
Trainee-led research discussions or roundtables
Virtual poster or presentation practice sessions
Interactive games, trivia, or other social activities
An online trainee discussion space available throughout the conference
One-on-one networking or randomized trainee introductions
I would not be interested in additional trainee-specific programming
Other
8. At the 2027 DRS Annual Virtual Meeting, when would you be most likely to participate in a virtual trainee event? Select all that apply.
*
Before the conference
Before the day's scientific sessions
During a scheduled break
Immediately after the day's scientific sessions
During a designated evening social period
After the conference as a follow-up event
No preference
Other
9. How often would you participate in scheduled activities?
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Weekly
Twice per month
Monthly
Every 2-3 months
Only around major events, such as conference or grant deadlines
I would not participate in scheduled activities
10. What format would make participation easiest for you? Select all that apply.
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Live video meetings
Text-based, real-time chats
Discussion boards that can be accessed at any time
Small peer groups
One-on-one connections
Recorded sessions
Downloadable resources
Social-media posts
Email summaries or newsletters
Other
11. Before receiving this survey, were you aware of the DRS Trainee Commons?
*
Yes
No
Unsure
12. If so, which factors might make it difficult for you to use or participate in the DRS Trainee Commons? Select all that apply.
Limited time
Scheduling or time-zone differences
Too many platforms or communication channels
Uncertainty about how to access or use the Trainee Commons
Discomfort posting in an online forum
Concern about asking questions in front of more senior researchers
Activities are not relevant to my training stage
Lack of awareness about available activities
Membership or access requirements
Accessibility needs
Nothing would prevent me from participating
Other
13. What is the single most valuable resource or activity the DRS Trainee Advisory Committee could provide?
*
Open-text response
14. Is there anything else you would like the committee to consider when developing an online activities?
Optional open-text response
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