Dr. Adi Stern | Photo: Dani MachlisMy life before BGU:
I was born and raised in Jerusalem and graduated from Hebrew University High School (Leyada) in Jerusalem. I completed all three degrees in occupational therapy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Then, I did a postdoc at King's College London, supported by the Haruv Institute, which develops and disseminates knowledge about child victims of abuse and neglect.
Why BGU?
I've always heard good things about BGU, academically and professionally, as well as socially. When discussions about opening the new occupational therapy department began and I was offered the chance to be part of the process, I realized that this was an opportunity I couldn’t miss. I am happy to be part of the Department's founding team, to invest thought in shaping learning processes and to develop research in occupational therapy, while forging collaborations with researchers from other departments.
My research?
My research focuses on mental health, and more specifically, on the causes of mental disorders and their implications for people, their functioning and quality of life, and their environment. The populations I study include adolescents and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and people dealing with eating disorders, depression, and anxiety. As part of my collaboration with the Haruv Institute, I am involved in research on childhood abuse and neglect, including mapping the knowledge and application of trauma-informed care among health professionals.
In addition, I believe that the integration of “experts by experience” in the planning and execution of research, as well as in implementing its results, is important. My ambition as a researcher is that my research will have an impact at the level of the individual and her immediate environment, as well as at the broader social level (service provision, advocacy, resource allocation, and policy).
An insight from my research:
Prevention, early detection, and early intervention are important and critical to development, building up resilience resources, functioning and quality of life. In addition, it is important to take into account factors in the human and physical environment and their impact on the person and her functioning.
Something that doesn't appear on my CV:
I love reading and try to always have a book by my bed. I also enjoy traveling with family and friends in Israel and around the world.
A source of inspiration:
My sources of inspiration have changed throughout my life, but if I think about what they all have in common, they are all people who set themselves goals and worked hard to achieve them, always with sensitivity and tolerance.
When I grow up...
When I was young, I wanted to be a teacher, so I guess part of my love for education and teaching has remained and is reflected in my work as a lecturer.
If I wasn't a researcher, I would...
Before I became a researcher, I was an occupational therapist, and all these years I've been trying to be both at the same time, because I think they complement one another. So, if I wasn't a researcher, I think I'd "just" be an occupational therapist, and if I wasn't that, then a high school/middle school teacher.
In Brief
- Fauda or Big Brother? Neither...I rarely watch TV series
- Yoga or CrossFit? Walking or Pilates
- Hapo’el or Maccabi? Only Maccabi Tel Aviv! (for basketball)
- Ravid Plotnik or Noa Kirel? Both are excellent, but I prefer Shlomo Artzi...
- Steak or tofu? Steak, but pasta or pizza are better
- Trekking or the spa? Totally trekking (and I’m taking the opportunity to recommend the Golan Trail as one of the most beautiful in the country)
- Car or train? There are advantages to the train, but ultimately, I usually find myself in the car
- Classical Europe or India? Classical Europe
- Ocean or pool? Totally the pool (less sand)
- Night or morning? Morning, but not too early
- Winter or summer? I think summer, but ask me again in August...
- City or country? Living in the city and visiting the country
- Film or play? Film
- Phone call or text message? Phone calls, though they have become rarer
- Sweet or savory? Sweet
- Android or iPhone? Unequivocally, iPhone
- Dog or cat? Dog
- Facebook or Twitter? Facebook
