Workshop Overview

Note: the 2015 workshop is over. Find out more about the "Preparing for an Academic Career in the Geosciences" workshop series, or read on for more information about the 2015 workshop.
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 academic careers in different educational settings (e.g., two-year colleges, primarily undergraduate institutions, universities).
  • Explore aspects of effective and innovative teaching.
  • Consider how to move their research forward in different educational settings.
  • Learn about documenting strengths and accomplishments in teaching and research, and develop or revise supporting materials.
  • Learn more about the job search process.
  • Develop or revise a plan for the next career stage.
  • Meet informally with other participants and with workshop leaders from a range of educational settings.

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 do some preparation prior to the workshop to become familiar with key issues and concepts and will follow through with post-workshop plans.

Dates and location

The workshop will begin on Sunday, May 31, 2015, and will conclude on Wednesday, June 3, 2015. Participants must attend all sessions. The workshop will be held at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. An inexpensive dorm housing will be offered for accommodations. Participants or their home institutions must provide transportation to and from the workshop.

Application

Applications were due March 2, 2015. Applicants will be notified by March 16, 2015. An important part of each application is a statement of endorsement from a faculty member. Please arrange to have the faculty endorsement submitted using the online form no later than March 2, 2015. 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. 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 some of the workshop costs. 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 Barbara Tewksbury.

The remainder of the workshop costs are covered by a registration fee, which is:

  • $245 (or $200 for NAGT members; learn more about becoming a member of NAGT) or
  • $145 (or $100 for NAGT members) for participants who do not need housing.

Learn more about how workshop registration fees are used

Successful applicants must fill out a workshop registration form and pay the registration fee by May 3. Participants or their home institutions must provide transportation to and from the workshop, which will be held at the University of Wisconsin.

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. The deadline for workshop stipend applications is March 23, 2014.

Further Information

Contact Barbara Tewksbury for more information.