Workshop Overview

Note: the 2011 workshop is over. Find out more about the "Preparing for an Academic Career in the Geosciences" workshops, or read on for more information about the 2011 workshop.
Kauffman Center, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Kauffman Academic Hall and Residential Center, University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

Description and Goals

This workshop will bring graduate students and post-doctoral fellows interested in an academic career together with experienced geoscience faculty members from a range of institutional settings. The workshop will provide a stimulating and resource-rich environment in which to explore important facets of an academic career. Three main goals of the workshop are for participants to become more effective teachers, stronger candidates for academic jobs, and better prepared future faculty members who will be able to make a quick and effective start in teaching and research.

During the workshop, each participant will

  • Learn about roles and responsibilities of faculty members in different educational settings (e.g., two-year colleges, four-year colleges, universities).
  • Explore aspects of effective and innovative teaching.
  • Design a research plan suitable for the next career stage.
  • Learn about strategies for documenting strengths and accomplishments in teaching and research, and develop or revise supporting materials.
  • Learn more about the job search process.
  • Meet informally with other participants and with workshop leaders from a range of educational settings.
  • Develop a self-inventory of preferred options for the next career stage and a personal action plan.

Career Prep 2011 leaders
Leaders of the 2011 Preparing for an Academic Career workshop.
Workshop leaders

Barbara Tewksbury, Hamilton College
Katryn Wiese, Geology and Oceanography, City College of San Francisco
Robyn Wright Dunbar, Center for Teaching & Learning, Stanford University
Edwin Harvey, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Devin Castendyk, Department of Earth Sciences, SUNY Oneonta
Francisca Oboh-Ikuenobe, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Missouri University of Science and Technology
Rachel O'Brien, Department of Geology, Allegheny College
Michael Williams, Department of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Activities

The workshop program will include faculty panels on academic careers and the academic job search, short presentations on various topics, structured discussions, small-group collaboration, and informal interaction and conversation. Participants will leave with a broad understanding of academic options, specific strategies for developing as teachers and scholars and for meeting competing demands, and an expanded network of colleagues. Participants will engage in electronic discussion and preparation prior to the workshop to become familiar with key issues and concepts and will follow through with post-workshop plans.

Dates

The workshop will begin on the evening of Monday, June 6, 2011, and will conclude after dinner on Wednesday, June 8, 2011. Participants must attend all sessions from Monday evening through Wednesday evening. Optional additional workshop sessions will be held on Monday afternoon, June 6 and in the morning on Thursday June 9.

Application

Applications were due March 11, 2011. An important part of each application is a statement of endorsement from a faculty member. Please arrange to have this endorsement submitted using the online form no later than March 11, 2011. When you make those arrangements, please give the email address you use on the workshop application form to the faculty member writing your endorsement letter. We use that email address to track all of your application materials, so if they submit a letter for you with a different email address, we won't know to connect it to your application.

Selection Criteria and Cost

The workshop size is limited. The final set of participants will be established with a goal of assembling a diverse and interactive group representing a range of experiences, educational environments, career aspirations, and specialties. Preference will be given to those entering or soon to enter the academic job market.

Funding from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Division of Undergraduate Education will cover the workshop costs as well as double-occupancy room, board, and workshop materials. To be supported by these funds, a participant must be either a US citizen, a permanent resident, or in the employ of a US institution. If you don't meet these requirements and are interested in participating in this workshop at your own expense, please contact the workshop conveners.

Participants or their home institutions must provide transportation to and from the workshop, which will be held at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. If the cost of attending this workshop would cause financial hardship, you can apply for a stipend to help defray these costs.

For more information about the workshops, including selection criteria and workshop stipends, see general information for workshop participants.

Stipends

In cases where the cost of attending this workshop would cause financial hardship, you can apply for a stipend to help defray these costs.

Facilities

The workshop will be held at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Further Information

Contact Barbara Tewksbury for more information.