Meet the Researchers of CONNECTED: Anja Orschulko
CONNECTED is an international project enhancing long-term care (LTC) by addressing inequalities through innovative solutions tailored to older adults, caregivers, and staff. Our interdisciplinary team from Brazil, Canada, Switzerland, and the USA is committed to making LTC more inclusive. Though our team is full of talented, and experienced researchers, this effort is powered by our dedicated graduate students, whose roles, backgrounds, and contributions to the project know no bounds.
Welcome back to the newest CONNECTED blog series: Meet the Graduate Team of CONNECTED. Where we interview and profile the talented student researchers involved in the CONNECTED project.
Our third spotlight is on Anja Orschulko, a dedicated Doctoral Trainee and PhD candidate in Nursing Science at the University of Basel's Department of Public Health.
Anja Orschulko: From Social Anthropology to Nursing Science
Background and Path to CONNECTED
Anja’s journey to the CONNECTED project is unique and highlights the serendipitous nature of career paths. Initially, Anja studied social anthropology and social studies, but her path took an unexpected turn. She shared,
"I studied social anthropology, so social studies. And then after the studies, by chance, I did an internship in an institution that is involved in nursing science research. So I entered the topic, um, kind of accidentally."
This unexpected internship introduced her to the field of nursing science, leading her to further opportunities at the Institute of Nursing Science. Despite the different path, Anja's interdisciplinary background has proven invaluable to her role in CONNECTED.
Exciting and Rewarding Aspects of CONNECTED
For Anja, one of the most exciting aspects of the CONNECTED project is the opportunity to explore new regions and topics. She said,
"It's not my first time in a larger international project, but the countries are new for me. And also, innovation is a very broad topic, so I like that from the beginning, it wasn't quite clear in what direction it would steer."
This ambiguity and potential for discovery have kept Anja engaged and motivated. The international collaboration aspect is particularly appealing, as it allows for a rich exchange of ideas and practices from different parts of the world.
Additionally, Anja is eager to see how the project's framework will develop and be applied in the LTC sector. She expressed her excitement,
"I'm also looking forward to seeing what we are going to do with the framework in the end because we're still at the very beginning. It's, uh, yeah, I'm excited to see how that will develop."
The dynamic nature of the project, with its evolving goals and outcomes, keeps Anja invested in its progress.
Impact on Long-Term Care Sector
Anja believes that the CONNECTED project has the potential to significantly impact the LTC sector by fostering innovation and inclusiveness. She noted,
"I think it's definitely an opportunity to give an incentive to start thinking about innovations in the long-term care sector. At this moment, it's hard to say what will be the impact of the tool or the idea that we develop, but I hope that by being in touch with so many stakeholders, at least the idea will be more present for them."
Anja hopes that the key idea of involving residents in the development process will resonate with stakeholders, leading to more inclusive and effective innovations. She emphasized,
"I mean, like, the key idea to involve the residents. I think this is very important. And I hope that this will stick to the stakeholders that we talk to in the whole process."
This focus on resident involvement ensures that the solutions developed are not only innovative but also practical and beneficial for those directly impacted by LTC policies and practices.
Conclusion
Anja Orschulko’s background, expertise, and dedication are vital to the success of the CONNECTED project. Anja states, "As part of the Swiss team, we were involved in identifying and recruiting the stakeholders, the nursing homes, and started doing the interviews. With my social science background, I'm suitable for doing those interviews and analysis, and also cross-country analysis." Her ability to conduct and analyze interviews across different cultural contexts not only enhance the project's goals but also aim to bring significant improvements to the LTC sector globally.
Stay tuned for more inspiring profiles of our exceptional student researchers in upcoming posts. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the CONNECTED project, please don't hesitate to reach out. We look forward to sharing more about our journey.