CREST.BD Trainees: An update

19th June 2014

Jehannine Austin

Trainee Lead

CREST Trainees: Where we started

In 2013 we consulted with:

• Mentors

• Trainees

• Attendees at 2013 meeting in Miami

Trainee Strategy

• Support for broad conceptualization of “trainee” rather than simply MSc/PhD/PDF

• Trainees should be engaged in some kind of project (Research/KE) that meshes well with CREST practice/values

• Support for a transparent/rigorous process for becoming a trainee (“inclusive with boundaries”)

• Active recruitment of trainees from certain areas/disciplines

Goals from last meeting

• Define role of Trainee Lead by conferring with mentors and current trainees

• Develop short document for trainees on what CREST.BD is committing to (e.g., expectations, relationships and outcomes)

Role of CREST Trainee lead• Solicit nominations from mentors of potential trainees, obtain bios and

liaise with administrative lead to initiate a membership vote. After approval:

• Meet with each trainee to determine and define: a) trainee career goalsb) the role that crest can play in helping trainee in getting there,c) expectations crest has of traineesd) term of trainee appointment within crest

• At least annual check in with each trainee to discuss progress/successes/problems/developments

• Facilitate the establishment of relationships between trainees and CREST mentors

• Facilitate sharing of news about trainee achievements/accomplishments with the network.

• Organize at least two trainee events per year, of a nature decided upon mutually by the trainees and trainee lead. One should be in person, at the annual meeting, the other may be via webinar/conference call etc.

Roles of CREST Trainees

• Let the Trainee Lead know about your successes and accomplishments so that we can help you celebrate and publicize them.

• Reflect on needs and desires for professional advancement and let Trainee Lead know about them so that CREST can help.

• Take advantage of opportunities as they are presented to you by CREST.

• Share your ideas with Trainee Lead about what you would like as a trainee within CREST, but also as a member in general – be active participants and make this your network!

Our trainees

• Guillermo Perez Algorta, PhD

• Cindy Holmes, PhD

• Emma Gliddon, PhD Candidate

• Dennis Jasper, RN, BSN

• Alicia Semaka, PhD

• Emma Morton PhD Candidate

• Laurent Coque, PhD

Trainees’ plans/strategies/wants/needs….

• Majority of trainees really clear about their plans and strategies for getting there.

• Interest in interacting with other trainees, just to share experiences, and broaden their networks

• Keen interest in establishing relationships with individuals who are in peer+1 types of positions

Successes and accomplishments

• Guillermo: Secured a lectureship in Lancaster! (Steven Jones)

• Cindy: MSFHR Postdoctoral fellowship award!

• Alicia: CIHR and MSFHR Postdoctoral fellowship awards!

Next steps

• Make trainee mentor matches

• Share resources with trainees on getting the most out of your relationship with a mentor

• Work on setting up an online chat forum/date for our trainees.

For consideration today

• When does a trainee cease to be a trainee? And what happens to them then?

• How do we recruit trainees from other areas (e.g. journalism)?

• How do we recruit and support non-academically traditional trainees?

• Strategy for growing the number of trainees within the network?

• Let me know if you’re interested in being a mentor! Jehannine.austin@ubc.ca