ISSBD 2 x 2 Grant for Early Career Scholars Awardee’s Spotlight: Interview with Yaser Ramirez.

This interview series highlights the remarkable work of grantees from the 2023 ISSBD 2×2 Grant for Early Career Scholars from around the world. Through these conversations, we offer a glimpse into their research journeys, achievements, and the impact of their collaborative projects across diverse fields.

In this feature, we spotlight Yaser Ramirez, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Montreal , who, in partnership with Ijang Bih Ngyah-Echutambe, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Buea in Cameroon, are investigating the intricate relationship between physical activities, sedentary behaviors, screen time, and sleep quality among children aged 3 to 5 years in Cuba and Cameroon.

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from our 2×2 awardees as they share insights into their work and the transformative impact the grant has had on their professional journeys.

Can you share the main focus of your research project funded by the 2*2 grant?

The lifestyle of the child and family has a significant impact on school readiness during the first six years of life. The parenting style of the parents influences the child’s holistic development – cognitive, socio-emotional and physical – which is fundamental to the initiation of education and explains the variability of the child’s learning during the schooling period. Therefore, academic performance in primary education is closely related to this lifestyle, both before and after school entry. Although these concepts are theoretically well-founded, there is little evidence in low-income countries such as Cuba and Cameroon. 

The literature since the 1990s has discussed school readiness and academic achievement extensively, but there is no clear consensus on lifestyle. The SUNRISE project, which covers more than 70 countries, emphasizes that “movement behaviours” is a good indicator of children’s lifestyle, allowing physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep quality to be analyzed using accelerometry.

Our study focuses on this variable as a lifestyle descriptor in Cuba and Cameroon, examining its association with school readiness (skills, knowledge, and habits) and its effect on later academic performance. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, we aim to contribute to the current literature and propose recommendations to improve school readiness and academic performance in vulnerable populations.

What inspired you to pursue this particular area of research?

I was inspired to conduct this research by the distinguished career of my mentor, Linda Pagani, and the findings of the SUNRISE research group. This, along with my limited findings in Cuba, motivated me to conduct a study with a larger sample and longitudinal design. Although I had previously conducted research in the preschool setting, analyzing key variables in isolation (cognitive and socio-emotional development), I felt it was essential to integrate different variables to provide a comprehensive perspective of children’s development in relation to their lifestyle and learning. Undoubtedly, a fundamental aspect of this research will be the cross-cultural analysis between the populations of Cuba and Cameroon, and the accompaniment of a very talented colleague.

How has the 2*2 grant impacted your research journey and overall career?

The 2×2 Scholarship has been a significant boost and professional commitment for me. First of all, it has allowed me to participate in an international project with highly competent professionals from renowned universities. This not only motivates me to study further, but also helps me to improve my skills and knowledge, both on a personal level and in a collaborative context with a group of international experts. I have learned valuable lessons in writing international projects and managing timelines, funding, and relationships among members. My mentor has been a fundamental pillar in this learning process, although I still have a lot to learn. Second, I have the opportunity to lead a project with an international perspective, as several experts are following my results, both from the SUNRISE project and from ISSBD members. In addition, I have strengthened my links with professionals from five universities in my country. Finally, the experience I am gaining will serve as a basis for my postdoctoral studies at a prestigious university.

What challenges did you encounter during your research, and how did you overcome them?

I faced several challenges in the project, but I found two essential ones: improving my English and writing articles for Q1 and Q2 impact journals. To perfect my English, I have implemented a strategy: I attend English classes twice a week in the evening, and most of the articles I read are in English. In addition, I have WhatsApp contacts with colleagues from Cameroon, Canada, the USA, and Poland, which allows me to converse and chat in English on a weekly basis. However, this is not enough; learning a new language in a Spanish-speaking environment is complicated, and I am looking for postdoc or course opportunities in English-speaking countries. As for writing articles for Q1 and Q2 journals, I rely on the supervision of my mentor, Linda Pagani, who has been very demanding but whose expertise has been fundamental. Since last year, I have worked on three articles, two of which were rejected (the reviewers’ feedback was critical) and one of which was recently published in Global Pediatric Health (Q2). I am determined to overcome these challenges.

Could you highlight any key findings or outcomes from your research that you’re particularly proud of?

It is too early to speak of definitive results, but some findings have been identified that can advance developmental science research in the Latin American region. The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (2019) of several countries in the region reveals the need to foster children’s development in early childhood, given the high poverty rate, problems with children’s attendance in preschool institutions, and the lack of training and education of many teachers at this stage. In addition, it is observed that cognitive variables related to school readiness are stimulated more, while non-cognitive variables such as physical activity and socio-emotional functions receive less attention. An important finding is that variables such as brain health and movement behaviours are essential to describe children’s lifestyles, an aspect that has been little addressed in the Latin American region. There is much work to be done, and my project, in collaboration with others in Latin America of which I am a part (the SUNRISE-LATAM project and the Latin American Preschool Project, led by the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile together with 15 countries in the region), aims to describe, study and promote the development of children in early childhood, involving families and teachers in this process.

How do you see your research contributing to the broader field or benefiting the community?

This approach can be extended to different areas of developmental science. Currently, it focuses on lifestyle, school readiness, and later academic performance, but it can also include other variables of interest, such as the characteristics of the family environment and the three variables mentioned above. In addition, the training of early childhood educators can be addressed, a topic that is mentioned in several articles in the region, but with few alternative solutions. Another important aspect is the stimulation of children’s socio-emotional and social development. In the future, this topic could be worked on as there are links with Professor Regina Lohndorf, PhD in Chile.  Professor Lohndorf has been working on a valuable alternative using the Kindness Curriculum, based on the initiative of Richard J. Davidson, founder of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and her results are very interesting and necessary in early childhood. There is a lot of work to be done in this area.

What advice would you give to future researchers applying for the 2*2 grant?

My recommendations may be useful for future researchers who want to lead international projects: (1) it is essential to have several publications on the topic you are working on, either in Q1 or Q4 journals, within that range; (2) have a mentor who not only monitors your progress but also encourages your professional and personal development. Your mentor should be your friend; and (3) develop a project in your national context, since any actions you take or funding you receive must be managed and justified by this project. It is easier to adapt research questions and funding to an existing project. Without a previous project, you will face greater difficulties and work much harder. This is my humble advice, coming from a country where it is necessary to work hard to achieve goals with limited resources.

Are there any future directions or next steps for your research that you’re excited about?

Two possible topics are: (1) Longitudinal studies that relate school readiness and later academic performance from early childhood to adolescence, since there are few studies in Cuba with this prospective approach; and (2) The kindness curriculum in Cuban preschool education and its impact on later academic performance, considering that emotional intelligence may be the key to the success of the child and its family in today’s society.

How has being a 2*2 grant awardee shaped your professional network or collaborations?

I have found the 2×2 Scholarship to be invaluable to my professional development. This opportunity has allowed me to connect with other professionals from seven countries: Cameroon, Kenya, Poland, the United States, Canada, Portugal, and the United Arab Emirates. My mentor has organized international symposia that have led to significant collaborations. Currently, I have doubled my workload through joint publications and knowledge sharing with other professionals, benefiting from their expertise and experience. The 2×2 Fellowship has undoubtedly been a fundamental key to advancing my career. Recently, I received emails from two colleagues who wanted to apply for the 2×2 grant and asked for my help in writing their proposal. I agreed to help them because I recognized the importance of this opportunity.

What role did mentorship or collaboration play in the success of your research project?

My mentor has been instrumental in my professional growth and project implementation. Her guidance and supervision have been essential in writing impact journal articles, collaborating with international colleagues, discussing theoretical models, and analyzing results from other contexts. In short, it has been an enriching experience to walk with an experienced colleague and friend who provides valuable advice.

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As we celebrate our current grantees, this is a reminder that the call for applications for this year’s cohort is now open! Early-career scholars looking to make a difference are encouraged to apply before the deadline on 31st October 2024.