ADVANCE Program to Host Workshops and Fellowships to Support Underrepresented Faculty

A series of free workshops will be held in the spring semester focused on topics of collaborative research, inclusive community and shared decision-making as part of an ADVANCE Institutional Transformation grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The grant is part of an effort to develop systemic and sustainable approaches to advance gender equity, including dynamics at the intersection of race and gender.

Workshops include topics on how to build effective research collaborations, how to develop effective mentoring networks, time management and understanding the challenges faced by queer and trans faculty. A series of workshops aimed at department heads and chairs on developing a climate of equity, among other topics, will also be offered as part of the LEAD+ program through the Provost’s Office. Online registration for these workshops is requested.

A launch event for faculty will take place on March 19 from 4-6 p.m. in the Life Science Laboratory S330-340. The event will feature Gilda Barabino, dean of the Grove School of Engineering at The City College of New York. She was recently elected to the National Academy of Engineering and is now one of only six African-American women to hold the distinction. RSVP for the launch event is requested.

The ADVANCE team is also seeking ADVANCE Collaboration & Equity (ACE) Faculty Fellows for 2019-20. ACE Faculty Fellows will partner with the ADVANCE-IT team, providing recommendations and feedback about ADVANCE programming and resources and promoting ADVANCE program efforts in their departments. The deadline to apply is March 5.

“Participation in the ACE Fellowships will make a substantial difference in our programming and interventions,” says Joya Misra, professor of sociology & public policy and director of ADVANCE Programming. “While we can develop good ideas based on what other campuses have done, the best ideas will come from faculty on the ground here at UMass. We are confident that through a robust network of faculty fellows, who can weigh in our programming and suggest new types of interventions, we can have a transformational impact on this campus.”

Workshop Schedule:

How to Lead Research Collaborations

March 1, 9-10:30 a.m., Life Science Laboratory Building S330

Building Successful Mentoring Relationships: How to be an Effective Mentor or Mentee

March 7, noon-1:30 p.m., Campus Center Hadley Room

Time Management: Pre- and Post- Tenure

March 20, noon-2:00 p.m., Campus Center Amherst Room

How to Engage in International Research Collaborations

March 22, noon-1:30 p.m., Integrative Learning Center N451

Understanding the Challenges Facing Queer and Trans Faculty

April 23, 2019, noon-2:00 p.m., Campus Center Hadley Room