CENTER FOR THE INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH, TEACHING, AND LEARNING

University of Colorado at Boulder, Howard University, Michigan State University, Texas A&M University, Vanderbilt University, University of Wisconsin-Madison

http://cirtlcafe.net

Professional Development Program for Postdoctoral Researchers

Bob WebbTAMU-CIRTL Program Update

October 21, 2010

CENTER FOR THE INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH, TEACHING, AND LEARNING

University of Colorado at Boulder, Howard University, Michigan State University, Texas A&M University, Vanderbilt University, University of Wisconsin-Madison

http://cirtlcafe.net

Campus and Network Partners

■ TAMU - CIRTL■ Office of Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies

(RGS)■ Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE)■ Graduate Teaching Academy (GTA)■ Texas A&M Career Center■ Collaborations with individuals and campus resources as

needed■ The CIRTL Network

CENTER FOR THE INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH, TEACHING, AND LEARNING

University of Colorado at Boulder, Howard University, Michigan State University, Texas A&M University, Vanderbilt University, University of Wisconsin-Madison

http://cirtlcafe.net

The Need: Approached from two directions

Federal requirements.■ NSF requirements■ NIH requirements

What do post docs want?■ A survey of potential participants

CENTER FOR THE INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH, TEACHING, AND LEARNING

University of Colorado at Boulder, Howard University, Michigan State University, Texas A&M University, Vanderbilt University, University of Wisconsin-Madison

http://cirtlcafe.net

Program Components(based on our local needs analysis last Spring.)

■ Work/life balance■ Postdoc needs■ Leadership/motivation■ Interview questions/salary negotiation■ Establish project plan, schedule, budget■ NSF/NIH requirements■ Intellectual property rights, patent law, professional ethics■ Teaching philosophy/syllabus/portfolio

CENTER FOR THE INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH, TEACHING, AND LEARNING

University of Colorado at Boulder, Howard University, Michigan State University, Texas A&M University, Vanderbilt University, University of Wisconsin-Madison

http://cirtlcafe.net

Program Outcomes

Post doctoral Professional Development

- Identify and integrate CV, interview etiquette and self assessment to result in career development

- Construct and create teaching philosophy and portfolio

- Describe connections between leadership and its impact on teaching and research

- Discuss the role of grant writing , research and teaching within the larger nature of a faculty’s work life.

- Establish a budget for grant writing purposes

CENTER FOR THE INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH, TEACHING, AND LEARNING

University of Colorado at Boulder, Howard University, Michigan State University, Texas A&M University, Vanderbilt University, University of Wisconsin-Madison

http://cirtlcafe.net

Spring 2010 Program Highlights

■ Carried out a post doctoral census and established a listserv for the group. (Initially we had about 20+ post docs signed up for this listserv.)

■ Used these listserv members as the core group to do a local “needs analysis”.

■ Coordinated/facilitated the first 6 workshop events for the group. (Typical attendance at these events was between 10 and 20 participants.)

■ Surveyed the participants to assess their satisfaction an get feedback on the first round of workshops.

CENTER FOR THE INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH, TEACHING, AND LEARNING

University of Colorado at Boulder, Howard University, Michigan State University, Texas A&M University, Vanderbilt University, University of Wisconsin-Madison

http://cirtlcafe.net

Findings

Many interesting themes emerged from the analysis of data on how post doctoral researchers (post docs) perceived the importance of professional development and assessment of the program offered in Spring 2010. The interviews were analyzed to determine common themes and specific recommendations arising out of the descriptions of the postdoctoral researchers. The post docs description of their experience with the program can be classified in the following themes areas:■ Useful Information■ Enjoyable Experience■ Growth and Development Opportunity■ Exposure to new information and ideas■ Creation of a “safe” environment

CENTER FOR THE INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH, TEACHING, AND LEARNING

University of Colorado at Boulder, Howard University, Michigan State University, Texas A&M University, Vanderbilt University, University of Wisconsin-Madison

http://cirtlcafe.net

Fall program update (plans for improvement)

■ Work to expand the post doc listserv to reach a wider audience. (Currently we have 80+ members of the listserv and between 30-40 attended our first meeting.)

■ Host workshops on the remaining topics noted in the needs assessment.

■ How to write a Research Statement

■ Industry vs. Academic jobs

■ Orientation/ learning community for postdoctoral researchers

■ Writing center workshop

■ Grant writing

■ Networking skills for postdoctoral researchers

CENTER FOR THE INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH, TEACHING, AND LEARNING

University of Colorado at Boulder, Howard University, Michigan State University, Texas A&M University, Vanderbilt University, University of Wisconsin-Madison

http://cirtlcafe.net

Demographics (Fall 2010)

What is your principal field or discipline of study? Please check one field that is closest to yours.

Agricultural Sciences 8.33%

Biological Sciences 20.83%

Computer Science 4.17%

Earth, Atmospheric & Ocean Sciences 8.33%

Engineering 25.00%

Mathematics 4.17%

Statistics 4.17%

Physical Sciences 25.00%

Psychology 0.00%

Other, please specify 4.17%

What is your race/ethnicity? Please check one:

Non-resident alien 25.00%American Indian or Alaskan native 0.00%

Asian or Pacific Islander 41.67%

African American/Black 8.33%

Latino/Hispanic 12.50%

White 25.00%

Other 0.00%

Based on 24 responses

CENTER FOR THE INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH, TEACHING, AND LEARNING

University of Colorado at Boulder, Howard University, Michigan State University, Texas A&M University, Vanderbilt University, University of Wisconsin-Madison

http://cirtlcafe.net

Schedule(Fall 2010)

Workshop Facilitator

Orientation to the TAMU-CIRTL Post-Doctoral Program for 2010-11 (Oct 15, 2010)

Dr. Robert Webb and colleagues,TAMU CIRTL

Preparing to submit a proposal to a federal agency (Oct. 29, 2010)

Dr. Robert Webb and colleagues,TAMU CIRTL

Networking (Nov. 12, 2010) Dr. Ruth Schemmer, Associate Director, Career Center, TAMU

Writing for a scientific journal(Nov. 19, 2010)

Dr. Barbara Gastell, ProfessorVeterinary Integrative Biosciences

Industry vs. Academic Jobs(Dec. 10, 2010)

Dr. Ruth Schemmer, Associate Director, Career Center, TAMU

CENTER FOR THE INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH, TEACHING, AND LEARNING

University of Colorado at Boulder, Howard University, Michigan State University, Texas A&M University, Vanderbilt University, University of Wisconsin-Madison

http://cirtlcafe.net

Tentative Schedule(Spring 2011)

Workshop Facilitator

Cover letter and CV writing Dr. Ruth Schemmer, Associate Director, Career Center, TAMU

Salary Negotiation and Interview Skills

Dr. Ruth Schemmer, Associate Director, Career Center, TAMU

Teaching Philosophy and Portfolio

Ms. Jean Layne, Program Coordinator, CTE,TAMU

Leading Research Teams: Dynamics and Motivation Strategies

Dr. Craig Rotter, Leadership Development Specialist, TAMU

Grant is not something you get..Grant is something you do!

Dr. Janie Schielack, Professor, Mathematics, TAMU

Budgeting in grants Texas Engineering Experiment Station, TAMU

CENTER FOR THE INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH, TEACHING, AND LEARNING

University of Colorado at Boulder, Howard University, Michigan State University, Texas A&M University, Vanderbilt University, University of Wisconsin-Madison

http://cirtlcafe.net

Summary■ TAMU is offering a post-doctoral professional development program to

help address federal requirements on post doctoral mentoring and training while infusing these elements with the CIRTL program.

■ This is a continuation of the work begun last spring and we will be tweaking the offering of workshop topics to meet the needs of the current participants.

■ We have set up a list-serve in order to keep everyone informed about the latest offerings and we also have a Facebook group set up to do the same.

■ Lastly, we will be asking for the help of the participants in selecting the topics that they would like to see presented in future workshops.