RSI Research Day

Visit this page for updates on the 2026 RSI Research Day!

THIS YEAR'S THEME:

"Access to Care"

REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENT PARTICIPATION:

All students are required to attend the annual RSI Research Day in order to remain in good standing. All students must attend annually;
PhD students must present a poster or oral presentation in Year 2, 3 and 4. MSc students must present a poster or oral presentation in Year 1 & 2.
If a student has a valid reason why they cannot attend or present at the RSI Research Day, they should inform the Associate Director and seek approval.
Students who are exempted from attending the research day in a given year are still required to submit a poster to the event.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES:

Student Registration: REGISTER

Registration link for RSI MSc and PhD students
Deadline: March 27, 2026

General Registration: REGISTER

Registration for Donors, U of T Faculty/Staff, U of T Alumni, Postdoctoral Researchers, and others!
Deadline: March 27, 2026

Criteria for Abstract Submission:

Abstract submission criteria Abstract submission template

Check out these links for information about abstract template, abstract criteria, and abstract submission!

Program at a Glance:

TIME	EVENT	LOCATION
8:30AM – 9:00AM	Registration (+ Poster Setup)	Chestnut Conference Center
9:00AM – 9:15AM	Opening Remark	Chestnut Conference Center
9:15AM – 10:00AM	Panel Discussion	Chestnut Conference Center
10:00AM – 10:45AM	Coffee & Poster Session A	Reception Area/Chestnut Conference Center
10:45AM – 11:30AM	Student Oral Presentations Session A	Chestnut Conference Center
11:30AM – 12:30PM	Lunch & Networking	Reception Area/Chestnut Conference Center
12:30PM – 1:30PM	Keynote Address Dr. Diana Clarke Psychiatric Epidemiologist, Research Statistician, Director of Research at the American Psychiatric Association (APA)	Chestnut Conference Center
1:30PM – 2:15PM	Coffee & Poster Session B	Reception Area/Chestnut Conference Center
2:15PM – 3:00PM	Student Oral Presentations Session B	Chestnut Conference Center
3:00PM – 3:15PM	Coffee Break	Reception Area
3:15PM – 3:35PM	Awards Ceremony RSI Recognition Awards: Faculty & Staff, Students, Alumni Student Poster and Oral Presentations Awards ICDR International Research Award EDI Award Art Based Research Presentation of Thesis Award Donor Recognition Announcement	Chestnut Conference Center
3:35PM – 4:00PM	Closing Remarks	Chestnut Conference Center
4:00PM – 4:30PM	Refreshments & Networking Time	Reception Area

Speakers and Biographies: Stay tuned for updates

Dr. Diana E. Clarke | Keynote Presentation

Title: Bridging Rehabilitation Science and Psychiatry to Redefine Mental Health Research and Quality Care: A Conversation on Collaboration, Innovation, and the Future of Diagnosis

Summary: Psychiatric diagnosis has traditionally centered on symptom severity, with limited incorporation of functioning, quality of life, and socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental determinants of health, factors that significantly influence how symptoms emerge and evolve. Research also demonstrates that biological and transdiagnostic factors interact bidirectionally with these social, environmental, and psychological influences in shaping mental illnesses.

This session introduces a framework integrating psychiatry and rehabilitation science to address these complexities and highlights how closer collaboration and cross‑training can strengthen psychiatric nosology, treatment development, and clinical care. Using the proposed model for future DSM iterations, the session will illustrate how multidisciplinary research can advance the inclusion of functioning and social determinants in diagnostic systems and support a “living document” approach. It will also identify shared priorities, methodological innovations, and training pathways that enable more inclusive studies, interventions targeting symptoms and functioning, and person‑centered care that improves how people live, function, and recover.