ACAPT's Institute for Scholarly Inquiry (ISI) announces its new vision statement designed to unify and elevate the culture of scholarship across academic physical therapy programs, along with an accompanying self-assessment discussion guide to help programs reflect, plan, and progress toward that vision.

The Institute for Scholarly Inquiry is one of ACAPT’s four strategic Institutes created to advance excellence in academic physical therapy. The group developed its vision statement through a year-long collaborative process with diverse program leaders and educators. The vision captures a shared aspiration:

PT programs will produce impactful scholarship through rigorous scientific inquiry that advances PT practice and enhances the health of individuals and society.

This is a challenge and an invitation: to think bigger about how scholarship is woven into every program’s identity, from faculty engagement and research leadership to program strategy and practice integration.

To help programs operationalize this vision, the ISI also released "Assessing and Fostering Scholarship Culture in Academic Physical Therapy Programs: A Self-Assessment Discussion Guide" a practical self-assessment tool for programs to:

• Establish a baseline of where scholarly culture currently stands
• Identify strengths and gaps in research support and engagement
• Facilitate meaningful discussions among faculty and leadership
• Inform strategic planning to strengthen scholarly inquiry and outcomes

This guide is meant to spark honest conversations and help programs create actionable plans aligned with their unique context.

Members are encouraged to use the guide as a trusted framework for reflection and growth, to share insights across their leadership teams, and to inspire meaningful improvements that reinforce the value of scholarship in academic physical therapy.

The Institute for Scholarly Inquiry and ACAPT remain committed to offering additional resources, including mentorship, workshops, and collaborative opportunities.