Vanderbilt Implementation Research Lab

Research in Reality: A VIRL Ed Podcast

Education EN ↓ 4 episodes

Welcome to Research in Reality: A VIRL Ed Podcast, brought to you by the Vanderbilt Implementation Research Lab. VIRL studies the use, adoption, and implementation of research and evidence-based practices in school and community contexts. A lot of what we do focuses on supporting children, educators, families, and communities to identify solutions to real-world challenges. Each episode, we’ll dive into current research and evidence-based practice, and topics and conversations about implementing these practices effectively. Our goal is to bring the research straight to you by having conversatio...

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Vanderbilt Implementation Research Lab

Episodes

Episode 4: Reading and Writing Instruction and Assessment - Dr. Adrea Truckenmiller 30.06.2026 23:37

In this episode, undergrad Eric Eubank has a conversation with Dr. Adrea Truckenmiller. The two discuss Dr. Truckenmiller's work on the development of novel writing assessment tools, the importance of research on reading and writing within the special education field, and processes of advocacy and implementation.    About the Guest:   Dr. Adrea Truckenmiller is an associate professo...

Episode 3: Policy Implementation in Foster Care - Dr. Carrie Mason 28.05.2026 37:21

In this episode, junior Michelle Sun hosts Dr. Carrie Mason, an attorney and independent consultant who works extensively with the foster care system in Tennessee. They discuss Dr. Mason's work and the implementation of policies that better serve foster youth, including youth aging out of foster care. Check out the VIRL lab website: About | Vanderbilt Implementation Research Lab For more informati...

Episode 2: Parent Coaching and NDBI's - Drs. Lauren Hampton and Hannah Fipp-Rosenfield 27.04.2026 16:39

In this episode, we have a chat with Dr. Lauren Hampton and Dr. Hannah Fipp-Rosenfield about their work supporting caregivers implementing naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions or NDBIs. Hosted by one of our lab's undergraduates, sophomore Saylor Mullarkey, and master's student Kelly Cattano, this episode explores the intersection of research and practice by diving into our gues...

Episode 1 Welcome to our Lab! 30.03.2026 21:18

In this episode, we sit down with three of our lab’s Ph. D. students—Zoe, Phoebe, and Andrew—to learn about the research they conduct, how they hope to see it implemented in practice, and why they do what they do. Hosted by Eric, one of our lab’s undergraduate researchers, we learn how our graduate students’ work impacts VIRL’s work with research implementation and about the journeys that brought...