ACerS/TMS Emerging Faculty Symposium : Faculty Life and Collaborations
Sponsored by: ACerS Education and Professional Development Council, TMS: Education Committee
Program Organizers: Ashley Hilmas, Air Force Research Laboratory; Tessa Davey, Tohoku University; Victoria Miller, University of Florida

Wednesday 8:30 AM
October 12, 2022
Room: 312
Location: David L. Lawrence Convention Center


8:30 AM Introductory Comments

8:35 AM  Invited
A Department Chair Perspective on the Faculty Search Process: Kyle Brinkman1; 1Clemson University
    This talk will summarize the faculty search process from the department chair perspective. Comments on the search and screen process, insight into the preparation of application materials and suggestions for maximizing impact during on-site interviews will be discussed.

9:05 AM  Invited
Successfully Transitioning from a Teaching-Intensive to a Research-Intensive University while on the Tenure-Track: Janelle Wharry1; 1Purdue University
    The objective of this talk is to discuss strategies and best practices for tenure-track faculty members to successfully transition from a teaching-intensive university to a research-intensive university. The Millennial workforce seeks greater career mobility than previous generations, leading to increased job-hopping. In academia, this means growing numbers of early career faculty moving between institutions while on the tenure-track. This talk will specifically focus on moving from a teaching-intensive to a research-intensive university. We will discuss successful strategies for navigating the unique challenges of building a research program at a teaching-intensive university. In particular, we will share best practices for effective recruitment and mentoring of students, grantwriting, smart investment of startup funds, and building strategic collaborations, all specifically at a small, teaching-intensive university. Finally, we will discuss approaches for highlighting these experiences when seeking a position at a research-intensive university.

9:35 AM  Invited
Contributing to Academic Culture as Individuals: Darryl Butt1; 1University of Utah
    The health and performance of an academic unit, and correspondingly the success and retention of faculty, post docs, staff and students, are influenced greatly by its culture. Faculty and administrators often wrestle with communication and policies aimed at influencing the culture associated with issues like safety, mentorship, quality assurance, assessment and accreditation, and equity, diversity, and inclusion. In this presentation I’ll share some ideas for simplifying processes, principals to contribute to a safe, healthy, and inclusive academic work environment. The focus of our reciprocal discussion will be less on a top-down approaches than on what individuals can do to help their leadership and colleagues build a respectful and productive workplace, aligned with strategic priorities.

10:05 AM Break

10:25 AM  Invited
Building Compassion and Human Bridges through Research Collaborations: Olivia Graeve1; Jorge Arróyave García de la Cadena1; Aranza Martínez López1; 1University of California San Diego
    We have often been asked why it is important to promote and implement gender and ethnic diversity in academia and industry. We believe it should not be justified based on economic considerations. Diversity has many more positive outcomes. It promotes human understanding and compassion and allows people of all identities to recognize value in others and themselves. We are convinced it is the solution to world peace, and with a fervent belief in the beauty of peace, have built an educational program where diversity takes center stage. The ENLACE summer research program was built on hope; hope that we can build something extraordinary, with kindness, compassion, and respect for others. During this talk, owe will discuss this program as an example broader impacts effort that is highly effective and that may serve as a model for other programs.

10:55 AM  Invited
Life-Lessons from a Career Spent Interacting with International Professional Societies and Research Collaborations: Jon Binner1; 1University of Birmingham
    As you get older you realise that whilst life gets faster and faster and more and more technically sophisticated, actually, an awful lot never really changes. People are still the greatest delight – and the biggest pain. However, I think that it is certainly getting harder to build a career. There is so much more competition for every position; expectations have certainly gone up and it is now exceptionally easy to fall into the trap of working vast numbers of hours and having a lousy work-life balance. This talk will draw on my career and I will endeavour to provide some life-lessons that I have learnt from when I have got things right, whether by design or chance, and when I have definitely got things wrong … Hopefully, there will be something in it for everybody.