New Leadership at RTM and the Grounded Theory Review

July 1, 2026

At the Institute for Research and Theory Methodologies (RTM), we believe that strong scholarly communities are built through mentorship, service, and a shared commitment to rigorous research. Today, we are pleased to celebrate two important leadership transitions that reflect these values and help position our organization for the future.

Dr. Emily Cashwell has assumed the role of President of the RTM Board of Directors, and Dr. Sandra Kane has become Editor of the Grounded Theory Review.

Both Emily and Sandra have made significant contributions to RTM through their scholarship, mentorship, and service. Their appointments reflect not only their accomplishments but also RTM’s commitment to cultivating leaders who will help steward our mission, support researchers, and strengthen the scholarly community for years to come.

Dr. Emily Cashwell Assumes the Role as President of the RTM Board of Directors

Dr. Emily Cashwell’s appointment as President of the RTM Board of Directors represents both a leadership transition and the continuation of a longstanding relationship with RTM that predates the organization’s founding.

Emily was part of the team that helped plan the first Classic Grounded Theory Conference in 2021, an event that ultimately led to the creation of RTM as an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing research. In many ways, she has been part of RTM’s story from the very beginning.

Over the years, Emily has remained an active contributor to the RTM community as a Visiting Scholar, conference presenter, reviewer, and researcher. Many members of our community know her through her presentations at RTM conferences and her ongoing commitment to supporting researchers who are learning and applying grounded theory.

A practicing behavior analyst, educator, and qualitative researcher, Emily’s scholarly work spans multiple disciplines and methodologies. Her research, presentations, and publications have explored topics including authenticity, chronic illness and disability, assent in applied behavior analysis (ABA), attraction and sexuality, and the application of classic grounded theory in contemporary research contexts. She has published in the Grounded Theory Review and SAGE Research Methods, and her dissertation, which employed classic grounded theory, received the Dissertation with Distinction Award.

Emily earned her doctoral degree in Psychology from Saybrook University, specializing in Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health. She also holds master’s degrees in Nutrition and Integrative Health and Special Education. Her interdisciplinary background allows her to bridge multiple fields while advocating for the value of qualitative inquiry in settings where quantitative approaches often dominate.

One of Emily’s strongest commitments is to mentorship. She believes that meaningful mentorship is essential to developing rigorous qualitative researchers and strengthening the future of scholarship. This belief aligns closely with RTM’s mission of connecting, mentoring, and empowering researchers around the world.

As Board President, Emily will help guide RTM’s strategic direction while supporting the organization’s continued growth, educational initiatives, and scholarly community. Her long history with RTM, combined with her commitment to methodological rigor and researcher development, makes her uniquely positioned to help lead the organization into its next chapter.

Dr. Sandra Kane Becomes Editor of the Grounded Theory Review

We are also delighted to celebrate Dr. Sandra Kane’s transition to Editor of the Grounded Theory Review.

Sandra’s appointment follows a period of service as Co-Editor while completing a structured editor training and transition process. During this time, she worked closely with authors, reviewers, and the editorial team, developing a deep understanding of the journal’s mission and its commitment to advancing high-quality grounded theory scholarship.

Sandra is a nurse educator, researcher, and health-systems leader whose work bridges nursing education, clinical practice, and workforce development. She holds a PhD in Nursing, a Master of Nursing degree, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Distinction, and is completing a postdoctoral fellowship with RTM.

As a full-time Assistant Professor at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and a part-time instructor with Nunavut Arctic College in Nunavut, Canada, Sandra teaches across undergraduate programs while contributing to curriculum design, program evaluation, and pedagogical innovation. Her work extends beyond academia through her roles with the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Health, where she serves as a Clinical Nurse Educator and Senior Health Consultant, supporting workforce development, mentorship initiatives, and system-level improvements in remote and northern healthcare settings.

Sandra’s research program focuses on nursing education, student learning, and the conditions that shape successful transitions into practice. Her postdoctoral work incorporates grounded theory and grounded action methodologies within broader inquiries into nursing student learning, professional transitions, and theory-to-practice integration.

As Editor of the Grounded Theory Review, Sandra brings both scholarly expertise and a strong commitment to mentorship. She is passionate about supporting authors, particularly emerging researchers, as they navigate the publication process. She is committed to upholding the clarity, rigor, and core principles of Glaserian classic grounded theory and grounded action while fostering an inclusive and supportive scholarly community for researchers around the world.

The Grounded Theory Review has long served as an important academic journal for grounded theory scholarship. Under Sandra’s leadership, the journal will continue to provide a home for classic grounded theory research while supporting the development of the next generation of grounded theory scholars.

Looking Ahead

These leadership transitions represent an important milestone in RTM’s continued growth and sustainability. As a mentorship-centered organization, we believe that leadership development is essential to preserving the strengths of our community while preparing for the future.

Emily and Sandra each embody RTM’s commitment to rigorous scholarship, meaningful mentorship, and service to the research community. Their appointments reflect not only their individual accomplishments but also the collaborative spirit that has helped RTM grow from a small community of grounded theory scholars into a global network of researchers, educators, and practitioners.

We also extend our gratitude to the leaders, volunteers, mentors, reviewers, authors, and community members whose dedication has helped bring RTM and the Grounded Theory Review to this point. Their contributions have created a strong foundation upon which future leaders can build.

Today, we celebrate not only two exceptional scholars, but also the spirit of mentorship, service, and scholarly stewardship that defines RTM. Emily and Sandra each embody the values that have guided our organization from its beginnings and will help shape its future.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Emily Cashwell and Dr. Sandra Kane as they begin their important leadership roles. We look forward to their contributions as RTM continues its mission of connecting, mentoring, and empowering researchers to conduct rigorous research that positively impacts society.

New Leadership at RTM and the Grounded Theory Review

Dr. Emily Cashwell Assumes the Role as President of the RTM Board of Directors

Dr. Emily Cashwell’s appointment as President of the RTM Board of Directors represents both a leadership transition and the continuation of a longstanding relationship with RTM that predates the organization’s founding.

Dr. Sandra Kane Becomes Editor of the Grounded Theory Review

We are also delighted to celebrate Dr. Sandra Kane’s transition to Editor of the Grounded Theory Review.

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Dr. Emily Cashwell Assumes the Role as President of the RTM Board of Directors

Dr. Emily Cashwell’s appointment as President of the RTM Board of Directors represents both a leadership transition and the continuation of a longstanding relationship with RTM that predates the organization’s founding.

Dr. Sandra Kane Becomes Editor of the Grounded Theory Review

We are also delighted to celebrate Dr. Sandra Kane’s transition to Editor of the Grounded Theory Review.