Events

the PhD Plus program, in conjunction with the newly formed First-Generation Graduate Student Coalition (FGSC), will host sociologist Dr. Jessica Calarco on Tuesday, March 16th from 12:00-1:30 for a discussion of her new book, A Field Guide to Grad School: Uncovering the Hidden Curriculum. The book is a remarkable resource, and is particularly relevant for first-generation graduate students as we consider their unique challenges in navigating academic spaces. It is available in digital form through the UVA Library. Dr. Calarco’s talk will also serve as a kickoff for the FGSC, with remarks by inaugural president, Jesse McCain, PhD student in Higher Education.   *Please RSVP for the kickoff via this link by Fri, March 12th if possible (Zoom link to follow closer to the event), and please share this announcement with your faculty colleagues and students.     More on the book from the publisher’s site:  Some of the most important things you need to know in order to succeed in graduate school—like how to choose a good advisor, how to get funding for your work, and whether to celebrate or cry when a journal tells you to revise and resubmit an article—won’t be covered in any class. They are part of a hidden curriculum that you are just expected to know or somehow learn on your own—or else. In this comprehensive survival guide for grad school, Jessica McCrory Calarco walks you through the secret knowledge and skills that are essential for navigating every critical stage of the postgraduate experience, from deciding whether to go to grad school in the first place to finishing your degree and landing a job. An invaluable resource for every prospective and current grad student in any discipline, A Field Guide to Grad School will save you grief—and help you thrive—in school and beyond. Provides invaluable advice about how to: • Choose and apply to a graduate program • Stay on track in your program • Publish and promote your work • Get the most out of conferences • Navigate the job market • Balance teaching, research, service, and life

It can be very difficult to evaluate whether your message will stay with your audience. In their book, Made to Stick, authors Heath and Heath lay out a set of criteria by which you can increase the chances your audience will hear your message and think about it later. In this session, we will apply the Made to Stick guidance to examples.   Register here. 

"RCS for Everyone" is a 3-week series that explores why research and science communication matters in day to day life.  Where RCS L1 and L2 are skills driven workshops, RCS for Everyone will be discussion based. Topics will include how science is miscommunicated and how we relate to our audience when they disagree with us. As a disclaimer, we will wrestle with controversial and sensitive topics, so attendees will be expected to be open-minded listeners.    The course will meet April 15, 22 and 29 (all Thursdays) from 12:00PM to 12:55PM. All sessions will be held via Zoom.   As a pilot offering, there is not yet a PhD+ credential available for this series.  Register here to receive preparatory materials.

"RCS for Everyone" is a 3-week series that explores why research and science communication matters in day to day life.  Where RCS L1 and L2 are skills driven workshops, RCS for Everyone will be discussion based. Topics will include how science is miscommunicated and how we relate to our audience when they disagree with us. As a disclaimer, we will wrestle with controversial and sensitive topics, so attendees will be expected to be open-minded listeners.    The course will meet April 15, 22 and 29 (all Thursdays) from 12:00PM to 12:55PM. All sessions will be held via Zoom.   As a pilot offering, there is not yet a PhD+ credential available for this series.  Register here to receive preparatory materials.

Objective of this session is to discuss the moving parts of a compelling startup by way of the “buttons” that often get pushed during a startup pitch. Importantly, while a great pitch does not equal a great startup, a great startup has often been able to hit each of these buttons in a compelling way. :: PLEASE READ OR WATCH :: Watch: Chen, J. A warm embrace that saves lives. (video) Blank, S. (2013). What is a Startup? Read: Touve, D. The startup pitch. :: BE PREPARED TO DISCUSS :: Using the M’s from the article as an organizing frame, consider the Pitch being made by Jane Chen in her TED presentation. And, from the perspective of someone who might provide financial support of some kind (e.g., investment or a grant) to Embrace, please be prepared to discuss the following: Which “M” do you feel Ms. Chen communicated/explained best? Why?  Which “M” do you wish she had communicated/explained better? Why?  Which “M” do you wish she had communicated/explained, but failed to do so? Why? :: BE PREPARED TO ALSO DISCUSS :: Do you agree with or disagree with Mr. Blank’s definition of a Startup? How might this approach apply or not apply to commercialization efforts? What “matters” about the various “M’s” discussed in the reading? For example, what makes a great Mission, or for great Mortals on a team? How was data/evidence used in the Pitch? And how might data/evidence matter to the Venture? INSTRUCTOR David Touve, Senior Director, Applied Innovations and New Ventures, Batten Institute, Darden School of Business REGISTRATION Please register to receive the zoom link and email reminders.  

Do you love science? Are you looking for a writing career? In this talk, Katie Bates will discuss her work as a medical writer and consultant– as well as the path that led her there since earning her Ph.D. in Chemistry at UVA. Katie will share insights on the drug development process, the role of medical writing, and the skills she learned along the way to make her well-suited to her career. In addition, the internship program at Whitsell Innovations, Inc (WI) will be highlighted as an opportunity for graduate students and postdocs to explore and gain the necessary experience needed for a career in medical writing. Speaker  Katie Bates is a medical writer and consultant at WI, a fully-remote medical and scientific writing company. She obtained a Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2007 at UVA and was a part of the Biotechnology Training Program while at UVA. After 10 years in forensic DNA research and casework, Katie transitioned to a career in medical communications, where she focuses on regulatory medical writing. Katie is an alumna of the WI internship program and is currently an internship mentor.  Katie is based out of Myrtle Creek, Oregon, and enjoys hiking the beautiful scenery in OR. Please register to receive the Zoom link and email reminders.  

The application deadline for fellowships to be held during the 2021-2022 academic year is Monday, February 15th, 2021. More details on how to apply at the end of this page. If you’re interested in learning more about the fellowship or have questions about anything you read below, please consider attending the information session for the 2021-2022 cohort - January 19th, 2021 from 2:00-3:00 on Zoom. Please register to attend. You are, of course, welcome to write to Brandon Walsh separately and/or sooner for an individual meeting to discuss your application so that you can get working. The Digital Humanities Fellowship supports advanced doctoral students doing innovative work in the digital humanities at the University of Virginia. The Scholars’ Lab offers Grad Fellows advice and assistance with the creation and analysis of digital content, as well as consultation on intellectual property issues and best practices in digital scholarship and DH software development. The highly competitive Graduate Fellowship in Digital Humanities is designed to advance the humanities and provide emerging digital scholars with an opportunity for growth. RSVP

UVA’s Science Policy Bootcamp is an opportunity for graduate students to learn about science policy, and meet people who have engaged in the process. It is designed to introduce concepts and skills, as well as expose participants to career paths in science policy. In 2021, the Bootcamp will be held online due to COVID-19 from Jan 11-15. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions. If you are a UVA student seeking a PhD+ credential, you must attend 4 out of 5 days. Students from other Virginia universities and colleges are welcome! Register here for the 2021 Science Policy Bootcamp. The deadline for registration is Wednesday, January 6 by 8:00AM. If you have any questions, please contact Marlit Hayslett at marlit@virginia.edu. AGENDA 9:00AM Networking and Open Discussion (optional) 9:30AM Overcoming Bias in S&T Policymaking Description: Invited guest speaker Deborah Stine will lead this interactive workshop where participants will learn (1) how to identify and address the biases that they and others as scientists and as individuals bring to the policymaking table and (2) how to conduct bias-aware policy analysis and recommendation taking into account not only effectiveness of a policy, but efficiency, equity, and ease of political acceptability as well. This session will conclude at 11:00AM.

UVA’s Science Policy Bootcamp is an opportunity for graduate students to learn about science policy, and meet people who have engaged in the process. It is designed to introduce concepts and skills, as well as expose participants to career paths in science policy. In 2021, the Bootcamp will be held online due to COVID-19 from Jan 11-15. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions. If you are a UVA student seeking a PhD+ credential, you must attend 4 out of 5 days. Students from other Virginia universities and colleges are welcome! Register here for the 2021 Science Policy Bootcamp. The deadline for registration is Wednesday, January 6 by 8:00AM. If you have any questions, please contact Marlit Hayslett at marlit@virginia.edu. AGENDA 9:00AM Networking and Open Discussion (optional) 9:30AM Overview of Science Policy Written Communication: Policy Memos, Op-Eds, and White Papers, Oh my! Description: How do scientists effectively communicate with the public and policy makers? What is the appropriate format and written piece to the respective audience? In this session, we will describe effective written communication formats that scientists utilize. We will highlight examples of published work and demonstrate how they are effective for their audience and message. We will provide examples and further opportunities to expand on your skills as effective science policy writers. 10:45AM How to get involved as a grad student: Engaging in policy through SPI and NSPN Description: It can be hard to know where to start in science policy, but there are resources at UVA and nationally that can help you jump into real-world projects and make an impact. In this session, we will introduce ongoing science policy projects and training resources for early career scientists. In the second half of this session, we will kick off a new initiative to help scientists advise Virginia policymakers.

UVA’s Science Policy Bootcamp is an opportunity for graduate students to learn about science policy, and meet people who have engaged in the process. It is designed to introduce concepts and skills, as well as expose participants to career paths in science policy. In 2021, the Bootcamp will be held online due to COVID-19 from Jan 11-15. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions. If you are a UVA student seeking a PhD+ credential, you must attend 4 out of 5 days. Students from other Virginia universities and colleges are welcome! Register here for the 2021 Science Policy Bootcamp. The deadline for registration is Wednesday, January 6 by 8:00AM. If you have any questions, please contact Marlit Hayslett at marlit@virginia.edu. AGENDA 9:00AM Networking and Open Discussion (optional) 9:30AM AAAS Workshop on Engaging Policymakers Description: This session illuminates the policy landscape, illustrating where and how policy happens and the many roles scientists and engineers can play in decision-making. Using the AAAS Public Engagement framework as a guide, participants develop an individual engagement goal, strategically identify a target audience and identify key ideas around which to center conversations. Facilitators guide participants through thinking critically about mechanisms for engaging policymakers, encouraging dialogue and evaluating their activity to inform future engagements. Participants analyze a real-world example that informs their engagement plans. 10:45AM The COVID-19 Vaccine: A Policy Simulation Description: Attendees participate in a policy simulation in which they have to take on specific roles and collaborate towards a collective policy decision. This year, the topic will be related to the COVID-19 vaccine. Attendees will consider scientific evidence as well as political implications as they negotiate an outcome.