Celebrating research

It rained at 0830 this morning, just as it rained at 0830 yesterday morning. It rains frequently in Hong Kong—and regularly. The line I take from Fo Tan to town is the romantically named and eponymous Kowloon China Railway, known here as “the KCR.” It does exactly what it says: It runs from Kowloon—Hung Hom to be precise—to Lo Wu, located on Hong Kong New Territories’ border with China.

Trains to mainland China run through to Shenzen and beyond, through Guangzhou province, but the train I take is part of the Mass Transit Railway, the MTR. (The same system exists, but is called the MRT in Taiwan.) I could take the train all the way to the conference, but it is much better fun and more authentic to leave the train in Kowloon and take the Star Ferry to Wan Chai, where the conference is being held in the Exhibition Centre. The ferry costs a handful of Hong Kong dollars and gives you the best view of the buildings on either side of the harbor.

This morning, the newest members of the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame were inducted. This was a high-key—as opposed to a low-key—event which, I find, North Americans do so well. In the UK, we are less accomplished at celebrating our accomplishments. It’s just the way we are. The induction ceremony was a celebration of the life and work of some outstanding individuals.

Brendan McCormack is inducted into the International Nurse
Researcher Hall of Fame. Click photo to view video.

The emphasis was on translation of research, refreshing in an age when research activity—certainly in the UK—seems to be measured by the income it generates. We may have lost sight of the fact that research is about ideas, on the one hand, and finding things out, on the other. Money, merely the link between the two, was not mentioned in relation to any of the inductees. Sadly, back home, I think a similar occasion may have begun by listing each person’s research income. I was especially pleased to see—and film for my YouTube page—Professor Brendan McCormack being inducted into the Hall of Fame for his stellar and long-standing work in dementia care. With reference to my 24 July entry in this blog, I was able to demonstrate to Brendan that I do own more than one shirt!

A highlight of this day was meeting an old friend and colleague, Professor Sophia Chan, PhD, FAAN, undersecretary for food and health in the Hong Kong government. Apart from local television, I had not seen Sophia for a long time. Sophia is on secondment from her position as head of nursing at The University of Hong Kong. In 2008, in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, I attended her induction as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.

My picture of the day is with a colleague from Taiwan, Professor
Fan-Hao Chou, PhD, RN, of Kaohsiung Medical University.

I reflect often that it is a privilege to be part of the worldwide community of nurses that is the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI). Many people ask me what STTI does and what it is for. My answer from now on will be, simply, that STTI “is.” It exists by virtue of and for its membership.

And now, I can’t help wondering, will it rain tomorrow at 0830?

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. Comments are moderated. Those that promote products or services will not be posted.