Receiving the PIE Early Research Award gave Kseniia the flexibility to turn her academic aspirations into real-world research.
Kseniia Voronkova (she/her) is a fourth-year undergraduate student, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Special Education. She received an Early Research Award (ERA) through the Psychology Inclusive Excellence (PIE) Fund.
The PIE Fund provides vital financial support to undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds who face barriers in accessing research opportunities. The ERA award is designed to facilitate early-stage research training for undergraduate students.
With ERA funding, Kseniia started working with Dr. Connor Kerns at the Anxiety, Stress and Autism Program Lab in September 2024. She also works with Dr. Susan Birch at the K.I.D. Studies Centre.
In a Q&A, Kseniia discusses how the PIE Fund influenced her research journey and highlights the importance of these awards in providing equitable access to resources for all.
Receiving the PIE ERA allowed me to dedicate more time to the research field of my interest, which was earlier impossible due to financial constraints. Throughout this process, I can comprehensively develop my research interest and ultimately gain the expertise necessary for pursuing graduate training in the future.
“The award allowed me to participate in a broader array of activities, expanding my work from interfacing and engaging participants in clinical research to working with them directly as part of their visits.”
How do awards like the Psychology Inclusive Excellence Fund help increase diversity and inclusion in the field of psychology?
I am very grateful and honoured for the opportunity to be selected for this award. Seeing this shift towards inclusivity in creating a space where various voices and experiences can shape psychological research and practice is inspiring and motivating.
“From my personal experience, the PIE ERA makes a real difference by easing financial barriers imposed on students from diverse backgrounds and letting them pursue their passions in psychology. Awards like this give me hope that the field will truly reflect and serve everyone’s needs, not just a select few.”
