Her research interests include adults, adolescents, and children with mental illness; teenagers at risk in the public school system; teaching and learning in secondary and postsecondary education; and professional development. She has been a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association since 1979. She joined the Rhode Island Occupational Therapy Association in 1979 and served as the Administrative chair from 1997-1999. Dr. Manville has also been part of the Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association since 1986 and joined the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association in 2007.