New Faculty Spotlight: Kelli Scott, PhD

Kelli Scott, PhD, is a member of the newly formed IPHAM Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science (CDIS). Dr. Scott was kind enough to answer a few questions so we can get to know her better.

What are your research interests?

My research interests focus broadly on implementation science, with a specific aim to enhance the implementation of evidence-based interventions in community mental health and substance use treatment settings. I am particularly interested in employing innovative methods such as rapid mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) and human-centered design to understand community treatment context and develop interventions and protocols that align with treatment agency and client/patient needs. As a clinical psychologist, I am also particularly interested in measurement-based care, an evidence-based intervention focused on systematic monitoring of client/patient treatment progress. In line with this interest, I am currently Principal Investigator of a National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded K23 Early Career Development Award focused on evaluating measurement-based care’s effectiveness and implementation in community opioid treatment programs.

How did you become interested in this area of research?

I began my research career working as a Research Specialist supporting intervention effectiveness research in community mental health clinics throughout Philadelphia. In this role, I observed the numerous challenges faced by community mental health treatment providers as they delivered mental health care. I was also struck by the difficulties that emerged with intervention sustainment once our studies were completed; it was clear that barriers within the clinic context limited ongoing training, supervision, and resource availability for interventions like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. These observations led me to build expertise in implementation science, as I was particularly passionate about finding creative and nimble ways to address these barriers to evidence-based practice implementation and sustainment.

What is the ultimate goal of your research?

The goal of my research is to enhance the quality of treatment for individuals receiving community mental health or substance use treatment. I aim to understand the unique factors present in each community treatment clinic, work closely with diverse community stakeholders, and collaboratively tailor interventions and implementation strategies that will reduce the research (i.e., what we know works) to practice (i.e., what treatment providers deliver) gap and enhance equitable delivery of mental health and substance use care.

How can people get in touch with you for collaboration?

I very much look forward to building additional collaborations at Northwestern, and can be reached using the contact information below:

Kelli Scott, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Medical Social Sciences
Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science
633 N. St Clair Street
20th Floor
kelli.scott@northwestern.edu
(312) 503-0347

(published October 3, 2022)