Started in 2013, the Academics/Research program was organized to both provide information to the public and professionals of the various benefits that the Akula Foundation makes to the community and to partner with academic institutions outside the New Orleans area to provide services and conduct research for additional communities.

One of the first of these activities was the Akula Foundation forming an affiliation agreement with the Psychology Department at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) to develop, implement and carry out the design of the format for the provision of Reminiscence Groups at various nursing homes located in the greater Lafayette area, as well as, to collect research data on the Reminiscence Project.

For the 2016 – 2017 academic year, we had a doctoral student on a part-time practicum placement with us as part of a joint program with Canon Hospice as a training site for the new psychology doctoral program of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) at Xavier University of Louisiana. Data were also gathered at Camp Swan – New Orleans on depression and anxiety symptoms of the campers.

Professional presentations and symposiums have been given by staff and Advisory Board members at both psychological and philosophical regional association conventions about the Akula Foundation’s programs, as well as, the publication of a textbook. There have been multiple presentations to community groups and to the Celebration of Life functions.

Multiple benefits to the community included funding a Graduate Practicum Assistantship at ULL for each of the academic years until the end of the program in 2017. It not only provided financial support for a student for each of the years, but also provided training in provision of Reminiscence therapy and the student provided groups to several nursing homes, as well as, data collect on the value of Reminiscence. Further information about our programs may be found in the Archival section of the website.