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Dr Sonata Mačiulskytė
Name:
Dr Sonata Mačiulskytė
Job title:
Associate Professor in Social Sciences / Chairperson of the European Dementia Carers Working Group for Alzheimer Europe
Place of work / study:
Klaipeda University
Area of Research:
After receiving my PhD, I chose a non-researcher path in the academia. I have been holding various managerial positions at the university for about ten years, my area of competence is the management of study processes. Currently I serve as the vice-rector for academic affairs at the University. All those years, I continued lecturing. I have courses on social policy and social gerontology to social work, public health and nursing students. Also I am currently contributing to the development of the national long-term care staff training programme in Lithuania.
How is your work funded?
NIH, TREAT-AD
Tell us a little about yourself:
I grew up in a small town Plunge (the word also has a meaning in English) in a small country (Lithuania). I received my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Klaipeda University. I still work at KU today, and haven’t actually left my Alma Mater since I was 17. I received my PhD in Social Sciences (Social Work) from the University of Lapland (Finland). Until 2014, when I got my PhD, I worked as a teaching assistant, project assistant, project officer, research assistant, and I have almost 20 years of experience in study administration. Outside of work I have very different hobbies: I do sports regularly, I like long walks on the beach and in the forest, also I like baking and making ice cream and artisan chocolate candies. And I also grow roses in my garden.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I’m not afraid of heights at all and I went skydiving in my early 30s (I’ve done a little over 20 skydives). However, I am very afraid of the depth of the water.
Why did you choose to work in dementia?
I have been interested in aging issues and following the latest research updates for about 20 years. I’ve been applying that knowledge to update my course on social gerontology for social work students; the main focus of the course is to apply the knowledge about aging as a process in social work practice. The content of the course has evolved along with my personal experience in dementia care. Now I focus entirely on long-term care in the community and care policy (mostly dementia and people with other neurodegenerative diseases care).
What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
There is no shame in not knowing something, for that we are given the gift of speech. Never be afraid to ask, collaborate, network. You will always find people who are willing to share their knowledge, experience, and advice.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
On my bedside table are two books that I have started and have not finished reading. One of them is 12 Rules for Life, An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson. I started reading it right after Yuval Noah Harari’s trilogy on the history of Homo Sapiens. This is a socially responsible and courageous book for socially responsible and courageous people. Peterson is not an easy author to read, but I don’t regret that I started. Worth reading to people who tend to reflect on their role in contemporary events both from micro to mezzo (at least) level.
NIHR
