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 Webb
TAMU-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
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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.)
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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:
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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.
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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
What is your race/ethnicity?
Please check one:
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%
Non-resident alien
American Indian or Alaskan
native
25.00%
Asian or Pacific Islander
41.67%
African American/Black
8.33%
0.00%
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 PostDoctoral 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, Professor
Veterinary 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.