Sep 2, 2026
Think Tank helps spur research and collaboration in sensory integration
Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Health Professions recently welcomed multiple scholars from across the nation for a two-day think tank on sensory integration science and advancing research and clinical care for individuals with sensory processing and integration differences.
Dubbed the Sensory Integration Think Tank (SITT) Summit, the event was hosted by VCU's Department of Occupational Therapy and organized by Stacey Reynolds, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, director of the Sensory Processing and Stress Evaluation (SPASE) Lab, and Lauren Andelin, OTD, OTR/L, BCP, director of Fieldwork in the Department of Occupational Therapy. The summit was designed to advance research and knowledge translation in sensory integration and processing by fostering collaboration and networking among researchers, clinicians, scientists and students.
“This event brought together some of the top minds in the field but also shines a light on the work being done within the Department of Occupational Therapy to further apply sensory integration into care settings,” Andelin said.
A key component of the event was providing students and junior- and mid-career investigators with opportunities to receive feedback on research ideas, grant proposals and study protocols from established experts in the field. SITT was made possible through support from the Department of Occupational Therapy and a private donation from a program alumnus.
“We found there was no forum that was bringing together occupational therapy researchers who focused on this area of sensory processing and integration,” Reynolds said. “So we saw that as an opportunity to say, ‘Hey, we know the times are crazy, some people are struggling with finding funding, some people are struggling with finding mentorship. Let's all come together and see what we can do as a collective.’”
“One of the things that makes our college special is our commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration. The challenges facing health care today do not fit neatly within disciplinary boundaries, and neither do the solutions,” said Amy Darragh, Ph.D., dean of the VCU College of Health Professions. “We believe that meaningful advances occur when people with different expertise, perspectives and experiences come together to ask important questions and tackle difficult problems.”
Apart from project feedback and development, SITT also had researchers and students present published papers on their topics and hold various discussions on how to build on the work. The think tank also included brainstorming sessions, poster presentations and guest speakers.
Why it was held and hopeful effects
Reynolds said the impetus behind the event was a desire to establish VCU as a national hub for sensory integration research and collaboration. At a time of increasing uncertainty around funding for science and rehabilitation research, she said the summit also provided an opportunity to highlight the field’s growing evidence base, foster new partnerships and identify collaborative approaches for advancing research in the field.
Reynolds said VCU and CHP are well-positioned to serve as a convening space for people in the discipline to come together because they welcome diverse perspectives and approaches.
“Our goal was to create an environment where researchers from across the sensory integration community could come together, share ideas and build collaborations in a setting where all voices are heard, respected and valued.
SITT also helped bring together people seeking to build consensus and improve information exchange. The event helped build a commitment toward working on several shared priorities in the sensory integration field. Attendees have also been forming work groups and identifying priority areas, with the hope of formulating and acting on deliverables over the coming years. Apart from offering a forum for sensory integration, the event also helped spotlight CHP to national and international audiences, including chairs and program directors, as well as other external faculty in leadership positions.
“This summit brought together sensory integration experts whose work has often developed along separate paths, creating space to exchange ideas, learn from different perspectives and identify shared priorities. Building those connections is an important step toward a more collaborative approach to advancing research and practice,” Andelin said.
The event’s breakout sessions discussed topics such as sensory integration in schools and in autism diagnosis and screening. The sessions identified priority areas that can advance sensory integration as a whole. While SITT is not going to be an annual event, Reynolds it will take place every two to three years, with the intention that CHP will host.
“There is definitely momentum that people want to do this again and to be held accountable for some action items in between,” Reynolds said.
For more information on the summit, visit the SITT Summit website and be sure to follow all of the updates within the Deparment of Occupational Therapy.