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Seven research universities preparing a national science, technology, engineering and mathematics faculty committed to implementing and advancing effective teaching practices for diverse student audiences THE CIRTL NETWORK NEWS |
CIRTL Forum Creates Conversation about Academic Careers
"Ph.D. Comics" Author Shares Anecdotes at CIRTL Forum "Who is this strange creature called the graduate student?" Jorge Cham, author of "Ph.D. Comics," asked the audience at the CIRTL Forum 2008. Cham entertained the conference guests after dinner on June 16 by asking humorous survey questions, presenting statistics about the difficulties of graduate school, and sharing clips from his comics. Read more...
Ask a CIRTL Graduate Student! Q: What did you learn from participating in the CIRTL Forum?
News from the Field JOB OPPORTUNITY CIRTL Network Job Opportunity: Post-Doctoral Scholar in Social Networking of STEM Researchers - The CIRTL Network is hiring a post-doctoral scholar to spearhead its new social networking Web site, currently known as "CIRTL Café." This Web site will include discussion boards, news, course materials, teaching and learning resources, networking, blogs and collaborative projects. The new post-doc, who may be based at any university in the CIRTL Network, will be responsible for catalyzing community involvement and for creating and moderating site content. Applicants are required to have a Ph.D. in science, engineering, psychology or education. Applicants should also understand user-centered Web design, have effective communication and Web skills, and be interested in collaborative research. Experience using social networking tools and/or moderating forums is a plus. For a complete position description and instructions on how to apply, please visit the position Web page. Consideration of applications began on June 1 and will continue until the position is filled.
PUBLICATION Your First Real Taste of Academic Culture (Chronicle of Higher Education login required) - Although graduate assistants sometimes find it difficult to manage multiple projects and to be at a low seniority level, assistantships can be stepping stones toward professional success in the academic world. This article offers tips for graduate assistants on how to make the most of the opportunities their jobs provide.The author, David Perlmutter, recommends cultivating a responsible attitude, even when doing tasks that may seem unimportant. Communicating in writing about expectations, authorship of papers, and project progress can prevent misunderstandings. Finally, Perlmutter encourages teaching assistants to be supportive of their faculty supervisors.
PUBLICATION Inside Higher Education has reviewed a new book which analyzes obstacles facing the career advancement of female faculty. The book, "Unfinished Agendas: New and Continuing Gender Challenges in Higher Education," compares these obstacles to a "Plexiglas ceiling" which is difficult to shatter. The time commitments of female faculty are central to the problem. Many untenured female professors take on service obligations that do not contribute substantially to their CVs. The editor of the book, Judith Glazer-Raymo, says universities should either increase their recognition of service or ensure that service responsibilities are distributed equitably.
To ask questions or to make contributions, contact Katherine Friedrich (newsletter at cirtl.net). Next newsletter: October, 2008
To view previous newsletters, visit the archive. |
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