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We are delighted to speak with Dr. Maria Ruiz, a Ramón y Cajal researcher at the University of Alcala and Associate Professor of Psychology at the Lebanese American University. Dr. Ruiz received her PhD from the Autonomous University of Madrid, which also included an Erasmus period at University College London.
Can you describe a typical day at your workplace and how you achieve the all-important work-life balance?
Dr. Ruiz: Honestly, I juggle the research, teaching, administrative duties, proposal writing, and a full family life with two children, and I still have hope I’ll figure out how to find that balance! I guess there is no secret formula for this, and every day is an adventure, but generally, after I drop the kids at school, I do my best to organize my workload by dedicating specific days to different tasks, either at university or remotely, although it does not always go according to plan! Sometimes, I end up squeezing in time here and there, especially for writing papers with the research team. I find that blocking out uninterrupted chunks of time helps me concentrate, and I try my best to minimize distractions, like putting my phone on silence and not checking my email. I’m grateful for having amazing colleagues with whom to focus on a particular research task during working meetings, but also connect at a personal level. Brief moments of stillness and breathing throughout the day can also do wonders. In the afternoon, I focus on my two kids. I shut down work and dive into spending quality time with them, being there for them when they study, extracurricular activities..., this does not leave much room for social activities, but we try to make it up during the weekend and do something fun together. I try to make an effort to carve out some time for myself, whether it is for meditation, journaling, singing, drawing, or just reading. And I try to include my kids in my hobbies, like with our watercolor painting evenings and karaoke nights.
Are there any researchers who are women who have influenced your work? What was it about their work that influenced you?
Dr. Ruiz: In reflecting on the influences shaping my work, I find myself deeply indebted to several remarkable women, whose dedication and passion have left a lasting mark on my academic - and personal - journey. One of these women is Manuela Romo, whose role as my PhD supervisor at the Autonomous University of Madrid extends far beyond academia. Despite her retirement, Manuela's unwavering commitment to research, particularly in highlighting the vital contributions of women in science, continues to inspire me. Her enduring curiosity, even after retirement, serves as an encouragement of intellectual drive and persistence.
Also, Stella Mavroveli, based at the Imperial College of London, has been a dear friend and a role model for me, not only because of her professional excellence, but because she has found that equilibrium and alignment between her work and family life. Stella's dedication to her research on emotional intelligence in children is fully aligned with her role as a nurturing mother committed to the emotional well-being of her own children.
Another person whose work has inspired me is Moïra Mikolajczak, a professor of psychology at UCLouvain, expert in emotions and parental burnout, and long-term colleague. Moïra's relentless pursuit of excellence and courage in tackling challenging research topics are truly admirable.
How has your background and experiences influenced your approach to research and your work environment?
Dr. Ruiz: Growing up as an only child in the suburbs of Madrid, my early passion for social sciences led me to a fascination with the complexity of the human mind and behavior, including my own. This curiosity guided my academic path towards clinical psychology, eventually culminating in doctoral studies where I focused on personality and individual differences, specifically trait Emotional Intelligence (trait EI) and creativity. Embracing openness and a desire for international experiences, I had the opportunity to continue my PhD at the Institute of Education and the UCL in London through the Erasmus program, where I immersed myself in the study of trait EI under the expert guidance of professor K.V. Petrides at the London Psychometric Lab; this was a transformative experience that really taught me about research excellence and profoundly impacted my journey.
The exposure to diverse perspectives during my time in London widened my worldview and instilled in me a deep appreciation for cultural diversity in my work environment. Following my heart, I relocated to Lebanon, where I formed a family and began working at the Lebanese American University, where I spent over 10 years. Living in this context further enriched my understanding of different ways of thinking and cultural nuances, which I have since integrated into my research endeavors. Although my previous institution did not have a master's or doctoral program in psychology (I was initially the only psychologist with a PhD in Byblos campus), it has been extremely rewarding to mentor, publish research, and present at international conferences with undergraduate students. Believing in the power of individualized feedback and support for young researchers, I find great joy in guiding and collaborating with students, and I have found extremely gratifying to witness their growth and remarkable achievements over the years.
In sum, my research journey has been shaped by this commitment to embrace diversity, foster academic growth, and a supportive work environment that values continuous learning and close collaboration.
How do you approach problem-solving when faced with obstacles in your research?
Dr. Ruiz: When encountering obstacles in my research, I tend to introspect independently and figure out what the real problem is and how impactful it is before jumping into a solution. Once the problem is well-defined, I assess whether it is useful to break it down, and I brainstorm with colleagues, and ask for the advice of experts and individuals who might have faced similar obstacles. After coming up with some potential solutions and visualizing possible scenarios, depending on the project, I could test a solution as a prototype to see if it works before fully implementing it.
In what ways has the landscape of your research field changed over the course of your career?
Dr. Ruiz: Since I began my research journey in 2006, the landscape of trait EI has undergone significant transformations. Since then, the nomological network of the construct has expanded tremendously. A decade into my research on trait EI, we published an article in Emotion Review, led by K. V. Petrides, which has had a great impact in the field and reviews studies in various areas of application such as clinical psychology, health, social, educational, and organizational and developmental psychology (https://doi.org/10.1177/1754073916650493).
Since then, a wealth of research has shown that trait EI predicts a myriad of life outcomes cross-culturally, including job performance, wellbeing, and social relationships. As the field has evolved, there has been a shift towards greater complexity in methodological and statistical approaches for data analysis. Studies have demonstrated both the stability and malleability of trait EI, and a growing number of programs to develop trait EI have emerged in the last years. My own work aims to contribute in this direction, implementing evidence-based interventions that can have a meaningful impact and bring positive change for the emotional wellbeing of society.
What are the key skills or attributes you believe are essential for success in the research industry, and how can newcomers develop them?
Dr. Ruiz: I believe that key skills and attributes necessary for success in the research industry include intellectual curiosity for continuous learning, adaptability to navigate the ever-evolving landscape, openness to diverse perspectives, a desire for interdisciplinary connections, and resilience in the face of challenges and uncertainty. It is also crucial to foster a sense of alignment between one's life purpose and research pursuits because this can increase satisfaction and connection to the work. Personally, I tend to gravitate towards applied work (e.g., emotional intelligence and character strengths interventions) as it aligns with my aspiration to make a positive impact.
What has been a defining moment in your research career, and why was it significant to you?
Dr. Ruiz: A pivotal moment in my research journey was being awarded the Erasmus scholarship, because it meant moving from Madrid to London in 2005 and completely getting out of my comfort zone in my 20s. This was a turning point in my professional and personal growth.
Another defining moment in my research career was the transition towards more applied research when I obtained a grant from Grand Challenges Canada-NIHS to develop and implement Yes to Emotions in Youth (YEY) in public schools in Lebanon (https://yestoemotions.com/). Obtaining this grant happened during a period of massive struggle in Lebanon resulting from the pandemic and ongoing economic and sociopolitical crisis, which prompted me to reassess my career trajectory and life. At that point, I made the decision of moving the family back to Spain.
Obtaining the prestigious Ramón y Cajal research contract funded by the Spanish Ministry has allowed me to start a brand-new chapter in my life and research career at the Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, in Madrid. This moment not only shaped my research direction but also underscored the importance of adaptability and seizing opportunities for personal well-being and professional growth. Currently, my focus is on exploring the connections between trait emotional intelligence and character strengths, meaning in life, and their role in promoting human flourishing.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field, especially young women aspiring to enter the research community?
Dr. Ruiz: For young women just starting out in this field, I suggest seeking out mentors whose research and guidance inspire them. It is essential to make sure those mentors have the time to offer dedicated support. It is also key to cultivate self-confidence and embark in different research experiences that can help them figure out what their true interests are and visualize a fulfilling career path.
Something I continuously focus on and recommend young researchers to do is to keep developing self-awareness and reflect on personal values and principles to find coherence and true meaning at work and in life. Another area I’d recommend focusing on is building and maintaining close relationships with individuals in long-term projects and research teams. Genuine connections with colleagues/friends make researching very fulfilling, which often reflects positively on the research outcomes. Finally, I would advise young women to embrace their uniqueness, trust their path and cultivate independence and the aspiration to lead with both humility and confidence, which can pave the way for a successful and rewarding journey in this field.
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