Events

Calling UVA graduate students! We’re still thinking about 2020, but it’s never too early to think about next year. Applications are now open for the 2021-2022 Praxis Program cohort. Applications are due March 1st, 2021. Consider spending some time with us next year! The Praxis Program is a radical re-imagining of the annual teaching and training we offer in the Scholars’ Lab. This fellowship supports a team of University of Virginia PhD students from a variety of disciplines, who work collaboratively on a shared digital humanities project. Under the guidance of Scholars’ Lab faculty and staff, Praxis fellows conceive, develop, publish, and promote a digital project over the course of an academic year. Praxis is a unique and well-known training program in the international digital humanities community. Our fellows blog about their experiences and develop increased facility with project management, collaboration, and the public humanities, even as they tackle (most for the first time, and with the mentorship of our faculty and staff) new programming languages, tools, and digital methods. Praxis aims to prepare fellows with digital methodologies to apply both to the fellowship project and their future research. 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 - February 2nd, 2021 from 2-3 PM on Zoom. Please register to attend. RSVP

This is second session of PhD Plus Commercialization skills series.  In this session, we will discuss the distinctions among Copyrights, Trademarks, and Patents alongside a deeper dive into what can (and likely cannot) be patented. :: FOR BACKGROUND :: United States Copyright Office (2012). What is a Copyright? Circular 1, Copyright Basics.http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf United States Patent and Trademark Office (2014). What Are Patents, Trademarks, Servicemarks, and Copyrights? https://www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/general-information-concerning-patents INSTRUCTOR David Touve, Senior Director, Applied Innovations and New Ventures, Batten Institute, Darden School of Business Michael Straightiff, Executive Directors of the UVA Licensing and Ventures Group. REGISTRATION Please register to receive the zoom link and email reminders.  

In their new book The New PhD: How to Build a Better Graduate Education, Leonard Cassuto and Robert Weisbuch reason that universities need to ready graduate students for the jobs they will get, not just the academic ones. Connecting scholarly training to the vast array of career options open to graduates requires a PhD that looks outside the walls of the university, not one that turns inward—a PhD that doesn't narrow student minds but unlocks and broadens them practically as well as intellectually. Cassuto and Weisbuch document the growing movement for a student-centered, career-diverse graduate education, and they highlight some of the most promising innovations that are taking place on campuses right now. They also review for the first time the myriad national reform efforts, sponsored by major players like Carnegie and Mellon, that took place between 1990 and 2010, look at why these attempts failed, and ask how we can do better this time around. A more humane and socially dynamic PhD experience, the authors assert, is possible. This new PhD reconceives of graduate education as a public good, not a hermetically sealed cloister—and it won't happen by itself. Throughout the book, Cassuto and Weisbuch offer specific examples of how graduate programs can work to: • reduce the time it takes students to earn a degree; • expand career opportunities after graduation; • encourage public scholarship; • create coherent curricula and rethink the dissertation; • attract a truly representative student cohort; and • provide the resources—financial, cultural, and emotional—that students need to successfully complete the program. The New PhD is a toolbox for practical change that will teach readers how to achieve consensus on goals, garner support, and turn talk to action. Speaking to all stakeholders in graduate education—faculty, administrators, and students—it promises that graduates can become change agents throughout our world. By fixing the PhD, we can benefit the entire educational system and the life of our society along with it. PhD Plus provides the opportunity to graduate students, postdocs, faculty and staff at UVA to discuss graduate education with the authors. At this event, the authors will present a brief illustrated book talk followed by a question & answer session with the audience. About the Authors Leonard Cassuto is a professor of English and American Studies at Fordham University. With Robert Weisbuch, he is the author of The New PhD: How to Build a Better Graduate Education, just published by Johns Hopkins University Press. Cassuto is the author or editor of eight earlier books, most recently The Graduate School Mess: What Caused It and How We Can Fix It (Harvard UP, 2015), which was inspired by his monthly column, "The Graduate Adviser," for The Chronicle of Higher Education. Learn more on his website- www.lcassuto.com. Robert Weisbuch is Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan and leads Robert Weisbuch and Associates, a Higher Ed consultancy. He is co-author with Leonard Cassuto of The New PhD: How to Build a Better Graduate Education (Johns Hopkins UP, 2021). He previously served as President of The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation and of Drew University. He has published books on Emily Dickinson’s poetry and on Anglo-American Literary Relations and numerous essays on 19th century British and American literature and on issues in education. Moderator James M. Van Wyck is Assistant Dean for Professional Development in the office of the Dean of Graduate School at Princeton University. He is co-editor of the The Reimagined PhD: Navigating 21st Century Humanities Education (forthcoming, Rutgers University Press). Learn more on his website- www.jmvanwyck.com.    Register to receive Zoom link.  

This is the first session of PhD Plus Business in Society: adding value with your PhD skills series This session will explore how 21st Century businesses have adopted the idea that the purpose of business can be greater than just making profits. It explores the flaws in an old narrative of business that is set deeply in society.  Through the case study we examine how businesses can begin to see themselves as subject to societal forces as well as market forces. Prior Reading The Power of And:  Responsible Business Without Tradeoffs by R. Edward Freeman, Kirsten E. Martin, and Bidhan L. Parmar, Chapters 1-5. Chris Johnson and JAX Industries (Case Draft) Participants will be given access to reading materials. Instructor R. Edward Freeman, Elis and Signe Olsson Professor of Business Administration, Darden School of Business   Registration has now closed as this series has reached capacity.   

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.