Spring 2025
Connecting Behavioral Scientists in Industry: A Look at the Past and Future of the Connecting Behavioral Scientists in Industry: A Look at the Past and Future of the Industry Connections Committee
Christine Hotaru Naya, PhD, MPH1; Robin Anthony Kouyaté, PhD, MA2; Leanne Kaye, PhD, MPH3; Amy Bucher, PhD, MA4; Cynthia Castro Sweet, PhD, FSBM5 - Industry Connections Committee
In 2025, the Industry Connections Committee (ICC) celebrates its third anniversary of highlighting the voice of SBM members working in industry settings. Undoubtedly, more behavioral scientists are launching careers outside of academia1; almost 100 SBM members work in industry, and the ICC has grown to 22 members. We asked committee members Amy Bucher, Leanne Kaye, Robin Anthony Kouyate, and chairperson Cynthia Castro Sweet to reflect on the ICC’s journey and future.
Dr. Naya: What inspired the creation of this committee in the beginning?
Dr. Sweet: The former Digital Health Council had working groups that created programming to connect industry and academic members. During the reorganization, SBM recognized the need for a home for our industry initiatives, and the ICC was born.
Dr. Naya: What milestones are you most proud of, and how have these shaped the ICC?
Dr. Kaye: One of our most significant milestones has been advocating for, and investing in, the voice of the industry professional. What began with the Industry Speed Networking event at the annual meeting has grown into a suite of industry-inclusive initiatives - webinars, Outlook articles, pre-conference workshops and conference symposiums - designed to meet the growing need of members interested in or working in industry.
Dr. Bucher: It’s been really fulfilling to connect with so many other industry professionals, and even more so that we’ve had standing-room-only crowds of people interested in industry careers. It feels like we’re at the beginning of something big.
Dr. Naya: Why do you think it’s crucial to have a dedicated space for industry-focused behavioral health researchers?
Dr. Kouyate: As a professional society, it is essential to support members across the range of real-world contexts where they aim to develop their careers. Equally as important, that support can help extend the impact of behavioral science research across the health ecosystem.
Dr. Bucher: In industry, I’ve lacked a professional development community like what my academic peers have. The ICC provides some of this - not just exposure to new research, but colleagues who can help filter behavioral health research through a business lens.
Dr. Naya: How do you believe the committee has impacted its members, and what feedback have you received about its value?
Dr. Sweet: Every year, more SBM members come in with more curiosity and are being sent to us by mentors/advisors. We also see a lot more mid- and late-career scientists seeking collaborations and training programs wanting insights on non-academic career paths. Our work is paying off!
Dr. Naya: Dr. Kouyate, as the next chairperson for the ICC, how do you plan to further grow the ICC?
Dr. Kouyate: At the annual meeting, I would love to complement the programmatic tracks focused on clinical and behavioral research domains with tracks dedicated to implementation contexts—such as big tech, pharma, and digital therapeutics. I also see value in developing a guide/toolkit offering practical tips to demystify careers in industry. Finally, I look forward to continuing to plan social opportunities and cross-collaborating with other committees/SIGs to further strengthen our community voice and impact.
Affiliations:
- Analysis Group, Inc.
- RAK Consulting
- ResMed Pty. Ltd.
- Lirio
- Hinge Health, Inc.
References:
- Sweet, C. C., Kaye, L., Alabduljabbar, M., & Myers, V. (2022). Training the next generation of behavioral medicine scientists to accelerate digital health. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 12(8), 834–840. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibac050