We were lucky to catch up with Sumithra Murthy recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sumithra, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
For me, discovering my purpose to become a disability studies researcher did not happen because of one specific event but rather a culmination of my academic background, series of life experiences, reflections, and the unconditional support I received from my family. I was a clinician in India. Through my work, I was exposed to many social and environmental barriers to disability. There was often a social stigma attached to disabilities, leading to exclusion and discrimination in communities. In general, there was a lack of knowledge and awareness about disabilities and how to support individuals with disabilities. Moreover, the healthcare system was not equipped to serve people with disabilities effectively, with a shortage of specialized services and professionals. While a few policies existed to support people with disabilities, implementation was often lacking. These barriers made me realize the broader inequalities faced by people with disabilities and their families. When I got married, I saw the life of my sister-in-law, who has an intellectual disability, and the family members dealing with challenges with her caregiving in close quarters. They had limited awareness about intellectual disabilities, and the existing supports and services. They lacked access to respite care or peer support groups, making caregiving an isolating experience. Furthermore, they experienced significant emotional stress and anxiety as a result of their unmet needs and huge caregiving responsibilities. Life happened and I immigrated to the US with my husband and my daughter. I joined the Department of Disability and Human Development at University of Illinois at Chicago as research project coordinator after I completed my Masters in Public Health. I was inspired by the research being done at the Department and the Family Support Research and Training Center and realized how that aligned with my research interests on family support and caregiving, health disparities and culturally-tailored interventions. I knew that pursuing a PhD in Disability Studies would equip me with the knowledge of complex social and environmental structures and values associated with disability, policies and practices on family support, and understanding of the need for cultural competence in the care of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The introspection about whether to pursue PhD was not easy. It required me to confront my fears, doubts, and uncertainties. I realized that finding my purpose wasn’t just about identifying a career but understanding what truly drives me and allows me to contribute meaningfully to the world around me.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a faculty member in the Department of Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I am a Disability Studies researcher with a strong research and practice background in health disparities, disability, family support & caregiving, and culturally appropriate interventions and implementation. I also teach courses related to research methods in Disability Studies and disability laws and policies. The most exciting and special thing about what I do is that it not only seeks to understand complex social phenomena but also strives to make a real-world difference in the lives of those affected. Right now, my research is focused on aging, disability, and family support among Asian-American populations. One of the research projects I am leading is a Mindful Walking Intervention for Older South Asian American Caregivers of People with Cognitive Disabilities experiencing stress in their lives.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey were curiosity, empathy and understanding of interdisciplinarity.
Curiosity about social dynamics and human behaviors – Despite having a clinical background, I was always interested to understand the environment in which individuals live, the factors that influence their health and well-being, and the complex interactions between society and behavior. I strongly believe that using a social lens can lead to a more holistic approach in improving health and behavioral outcomes, not only to an individual but society at large.
Empathy – Being empathetic has truly helped me understand the lived experience of others and genuinely care about making a real difference in people’s lives. It has shaped my approach to research, and acknowledge my prejudices, biases, and stereotypes, ensuring that the voices of those who are often marginalized or unheard are amplified. I am able develop research questions and interventions that are truly reflective of the needs of the community.
Interdisciplinary understanding – Disability studies is inherently interdisciplinary, requiring knowledge from various fields such as medicine, psychology, sociology, anthropology, and liberal arts. This interdisciplinary approach has been instrumental in my journey. Obtaining an education in medicine, public health and disability studies has allowed me to draw connections between these different areas of knowledge and apply them to complex social issues. Understanding the interconnectedness of various disciplines has enabled me to develop more comprehensive and impactful research, ultimately guiding me toward my purpose of contributing to a deeper understanding of societal dynamics and promoting social justice.
For those who are early in their professional journeys, I think they should remain open-minded to new ideas. It’s also important to be curious, ask questions and challenge assumptions. Empathy can be practiced by putting oneself in others’ shoes. This helps gain perspective and avoid judgment. Volunteering or working directly with diverse groups can help foster empathy by providing firsthand experiences of others’ perspectives. It’s important to respect and value diverse approaches and to be open to integrating them into your work. Joining interdisciplinary teams or projects and collaborating with people from various fields is a key understanding of interdisciplinarity.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
As a researcher with a deep commitment to understanding and addressing the diverse needs of individuals with disabilities, I am particularly drawn to the opportunity to collaborate with South Asian disability organizations and caregivers of individuals with disabilities. My interest in this collaboration stems from a recognition of the unique challenges faced by South Asian communities such as stigma, limited access to culturally appropriate services, and language barriers. I will also be able to leverage their existing relationships and trust within the community. By working closely with these organizations, I can ensure that my research addresses the real-world challenges faced by South Asian individuals with disabilities and their caregivers, and implement interventions that improve their health and social outcomes, and overall well-being. This collaboration will also help to ensure that the findings of my research are more likely to be implemented in practice, as they will be directly relevant to the community’s needs. Folks can reach out to me via email ([email protected]) or LinkedIn(https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumithra-murthy-27a84515/). They can find more information about me here: https://ahs.uic.edu/disability-human-development/directory/murthy-sumithra/.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ahs.uic.edu/disability-human-development/directory/murthy-sumithra/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumithra-murthy-27a84515/
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