Janie Provencher

Janie’s research looks at transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) as an accessible intervention to restore movement after SCI. At ISCoS, Janie will present about partnerships with the SCI community, and she will also seek international expert feedback to strengthen her work.

Janie shares her experiences from the conference.

I am immensely grateful for the opportunities that the 2025 SRI Research Collaboration Grant unlocked. My experience at ISCoS provided the ideal environment to meet influential researchers, gain insight into the current developments and perspectives within other SCI research teams, and engage with diverse ways of thinking. I significantly expanded my network, paving the way for future collaborations and post-PhD opportunities. More importantly, it helped me to reconnect with the SCI research community, reigniting my enthusiasm for my projects and my trust in the future.

During my time at the conference, I participated in several enriching activities. I am particularly grateful to have been accompanied in meeting relevant people and connecting with the SRI network. The clinic tour not only gave me an additional perspective on rehabilitation settings but also created opportunities to interact with small groups of key individuals. The physiotherapy pre-conference workshop enabled me to reconnect with my background profession and understand the challenges of implementing evidence-based practices in clinical settings. The numerous talks sparked my curiosity, and I appreciated the debates around the effectiveness of neuromodulation techniques, which I am studying. The consumer involvement workshop and small-group conversations enlightened my reflections on my PhD partnership experience.

This experience has inspired me to pursue impacts that are closer to real-life applications. I believe this may be possible by strengthening collaborations among researchers, clinicians, people with lived experience, and others. I also feel that shortening the gap between evidence-based findings and their implementation in clinical settings is crucial for the research to fulfil its purpose. ISCoS 2025 helped me clarify my motivation toward work that is closer to tangible human impacts, such as fostering collaboration and accelerating knowledge translation.