Leadership
Community has never been a footnote - it has run alongside every degree, every role, and every country Dr Avantika Bhardwaj has called home. From competitive athletics in South Africa to doctoral leadership in Ireland, her initiative tells the story of someone who shows up, gets involved, and invests in the communities around her.
Volunteer for local and national healthcare centres
2014-2015, 2018: SOUTH AFRICA, USA, NIGERIA
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​Assisted with patient support (visiting, talking, mealtimes and activities), information desk, staff and department activities, and inventory services
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Enhanced patient experience and supported staff efficiency
Elected member of student councils at Purdue, Glasgow, and Limerick
2015-2023: USA, UK, IRELAND
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Committed to representing the entire student body and advocating for student needs and meaningful change through policy change, campus-wide initiatives, and the promotion of resources
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Introduced a monthly newsletter for students on current activities, upcoming events, and information on support services and charities
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Launched a ‘Beta Buddies’ programme, connecting faculty with students for professional development opportunities ​
Chair of ​the Health Research Institute Postgraduate & Postdoctoral Hub
2021-2024: IRELAND
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Founding member of the Hub
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Involved in the conceptualisation, promotion and long-term sustainability of the initiative
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Led activities for the Hub such as workshops on presentation tips, project management, statistical analysis, and networking events for staff, students and new members
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Developed terms of reference and recruitment strategies for the initiative with high-level Executives and Leads
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Launched a monthly newsletter 'The Scoop' to promote collaboration and build connections with our community
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Conducted surveys to better understand member needs and future direction of the initiative
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Strategised with external quality examiners on how to implement organisational changes to best meet member needs while reshaping policies and practices
Lead for the first Doctoral College Conference
2024: IRELAND
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Developed conference agendas, themes, research tracks, speaker invites and events including pre-conference sessions, workshops, and podium sessions ​​
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Coordinated with speakers, venue, catering, and other logistical support for the conference
Member of the Research Ethics Committee
2023-2024: IRELAND
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Completed training in high-level critical analysis and review and submission of ethics applications to improve my skills in ethical systems, processes, requirements and challenges
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Reviewed 25+ research ethics applications from across all departments, with any corrected or revised applications receiving a second review and decision
First Aid & Rescue for Red Cross across the community of Limerick
2023-2025: IRELAND
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​Completed practical, hands-on and online learning for first aid certification and training in mental health and wellbeing supports
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Built skills, knowledge, and confidence, and tools to respond to an emergency
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Provided First Aid event cover at a variety of public events such as concerts, sporting events and festivals
Member of the Centre for Implementation Research
2024: IRELAND
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Built capacity in methods to encourage the uptake of evidence-informed policy and programmes in public service areas
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Developed cross-disciplinary strategies to support implementation of evidence-based practices nationally and internationally
Member of the EMERGE (Empowering the Margins of Europe through Regional and Global Engagement) Support Network
2021-2025: IRELAND
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Co-created knowledge to address challenges and developed initiatives supporting joint education, research, and societal engagement as part of a European University Alliance formed by nine universities
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Focused on themes like inclusion, multilingualism, solidarity, and regional empowerment, promoting a stronger, more equitable European Higher Education Area
Member of the DocTalent4EU
2024: IRELAND
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Earned digital credentials for completing an interdisciplinary curriculum on transferable skills and other support for training and career development
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Worked with 8 university partners to foster innovation and promote intersectional, interdisciplinary and international
Member of the Ageing Research Centre
2021-2025: IRELAND
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Collaborated with ​​​​​an interdisciplinary group of researchers, external academic collaborators, clinical collaborators and a Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) panel of older adults and family caregivers who share a common focus on ageing research
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Supported projects that have played a pivotal role in shaping national policies and driving the adoption and integration of innovative health care models
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Winners of the University of Limerick President's Research Excellence and Impact Outstanding Research Collaboration Award for 2023
Member of the OARSI (Osteoarthritis Research Society International) Journal Club
2021, 2026: IRELAND
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Participated in discussion groups, roundtables and journal club meetings with 50+ attendees to develop an evidence-based position statement and practical resources for implementation of exercise for osteoarthritis
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Reviewed applications for journal awards that to recognise the outstanding achievements of members (e.g., Paper of the Year Award for Early Career Investigators)
Member of PACE (Progressing osteoArthritis Care in Ireland through Exercise research)
2021-2025: IRELAND
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Participated in regular cross-functional team meetings to discuss collaboration opportunities
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Completed grant applications and ethical procedures for research on public services in Ireland
Peer leader for the Regional Writing Centre
2021-2025: IRELAND
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Free and friendly peer to peer service available to all students through an online booking system
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Equipped students with strategies and resources to become more confident, critical and autonomous writers
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Applied an inductive approach to writing development and to identify their writing practices in order to assess and improve strategic effectiveness
Volunteer for supervision and mentorship of students
2022-2023: IRELAND
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Supervised undergraduate and postgraduate students to complete research projects, including searching the literature, conducting data analysis and interpretation, and reviewing drafts
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Encouraged goal setting, critical thinking, and regular discussions on ongoing and upcoming tasks or challenges
Member of IMPACT (IMPlementation of osteoArthritis Clinical guidelines Together)
2021-2025: IRELAND
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Delivered GLA:D programme training courses for healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists and general practitioners, and policymakers
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Trained users on the online data collection registry
Peer tutor for the Tutor Matching Service
2016-2019: USA
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Advised students on coursework and assignments to ensure successful graduation
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Composed mock lesson assignments and exams to provide students with opportunities to practice and test their knowledge and skills
Early career investigator at national and international conferences
2021-2025: IRELAND
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Health Research Institute (HRI) Research
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Irish Society for Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) ‘Connect’
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Health Implementation Science and Technology (HIST) ‘Implementation Science: Complexities & Applications’
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GLA:D International Network (GIN) Discussion
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Structured Population health, Policy, and Health-services Research Education (SPHeRE) ‘Population Health – Future Directions and Challenges’
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Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) ‘Breaking Barriers Through Multi-Disciplinary Research’
Volunteer for international health conference
2016: SOUTH AFRICA
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Coordinated programme activities, delegate registration and guidance, and refreshment logistics
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Attended conference sessions and workshops to learn more about current challenges and new developments
Youth representative for South Africa
2014: USA
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Participated in a 10-day out-of-classroom learning experience and rigorous curriculum with students from all 50 United States and more than 145 countries
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Visited international embassies, participated in Global Issues Workshops, tackled various 21st-century challenges impacting our world, and practiced in a real-world simulation - the Global Summit at the UN Headquarters in New York ​
Professional athlete for South African state water polo team
2011-2014: SOUTH AFRICA
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​Participated in the South African Schools Inter-Provincial Tournament on an annual basis where the country’s best teams compete​
Passionate about sports dance: tennis, squash, cross-country, Indian classical dance (Odissi)
2007-2014: INDIA, SOUTH AFRICA
Modifying programmes for children using health behaviour theories
2019: USA
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Customised behaviour modification programmes for young athletes using health behaviour theories
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Pinpointed social and psychological factors related to participation including body image, personality, socialisation, stress and coping, self-perceptions, motivation, and psychological methods for enhancing personal development and physical performance​​
'Exercise As Medicine' guidelines and programmes
2019: USA
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Shaped long-term sports management and athlete tracking to improve efficiency and outcomes for training and performance
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Coordinated personal and professional development coaching sessions to deliver targeted activities for a wide range of age groups, abilities and sports
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Transformed initiative outreach and accessibility using social media, video and written content while promoting brand aesthetic, values and strategy
Ageing, human motor behaviour, performance and quality of life
2018: USA
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Discovered fundamental anatomical and mechanical concepts, and procedures for analysing motor skills and human physiology, with particular reference to sport, dance, and aquatic activities
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Conducted gait analysis using force plates and motion sensors on tasks such as stair climbing and walking to evaluate the effects of aging and various pathologies (e.g., osteoarthritis) on gait function, muscle and joint performance, and quality of life in individuals
Using gaming technology to assess ageing, mobility and balance
2018: USA
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Explored the ability of gaming technology (e.g., Nintendo Wii, Kinovea, Microsoft Kinect) to assess posture, balance and/or locomotion as common tools (e.g., force plates) can be expensive and non-portable​​​
PETE'S PALS (Physical Education Teacher Educators Supporting Physical Activity, Learning and Service)
2015-2019: USA
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Delivered physical activity lessons for children with disabilities to improve muscular strength, endurance and flexibility
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Collaborated with the Strength & Conditioning supports and parents to conduct regular child risk assessments​​
Technology, leadership & innovation for evolutionary science
2017: USA
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Practical experience in the field of biotechnology with insight into early drug discovery and overall drug development process including safe laboratory practices​​​