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Advanced English for Non-Native Speakers
This series of classes offers intensive, advanced English training for non-native speaker postdocs to refine their proficiency and fluency, especially in an academic setting. There are 4 classes available, offered at various times throughout the year.
GOOD FOR: Communication, Academic Careers
Breakfast with Sofie Kleppner
These breakfasts provide an opportunity for postdocs across the university to discuss their postdoctoral experience, request additional programming and support, and share challenges with Associate Dean for Postdoctoral Affairs, Dr. Sofie Kleppner, and their peers.
GOOD FOR: Community
Brown Bag Lunches (BBL)
These are a variety of workshops, seminars, and information sessions held at lunchtime. Postdocs interested in the topic should bring their lunch to eat during the presentation.
GOOD FOR: Varies by topic
Improv for Communication
These programs employ techniques drawn from improvisational theater to help postdocs develop communication skills for day-to-day conversation, presentations, and job searches.
Mentoring in Research
This two-day workshop helps postdocs improve their mentoring and managing skills to work more effectively with undergraduates, graduate students, and research assistants and prepare for the academic job market.
GOOD FOR: Academic Careers, Communication
National Postdoc Appreciation Week
National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW) is celebrated during the third week of September, and the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) and Stanford University Postdoctoral Association (SURPAS) host a variety of events to celebrate the 2200+ postdocs who make Stanford what it is.
GOOD FOR: Community, Wellness
New Postdoc Welcome Luncheons
These quarterly luncheons provide information on resources available to postdocs and allow new postdocs to interact with faculty, staff, and senior postdocs who are interested in helping new postdocs get the most out of their time at Stanford.
GOOD FOR: Community
Postdoc Academic Chats
These monthly lunchtime seminars for postdocs from all disciplines led by Dr. Rick Reis cover topics relevant to pursuing academic careers. Topics vary monthly and readings are posted prior to the chat.
GOOD FOR: Academic Careers, Teaching (varies by topic)
Postdoc Pedagogy Journal Club
This is a monthly, cross-field journal club focusing on pedagogical topics, including teaching methods and pedagogy theory. In addition to helping participants engage in contemporary teaching training, this journal club fosters a community of postdocs interested in teaching.
GOOD FOR: Teaching, Community
Postdoc Social Events
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) hosts two large-scale social events per year (fall and spring), and Stanford University Postdoctoral Assocation (SURPAS) hosts social events at least quarterly.
GOOD FOR: Community
Postdoc Teaching Certificate
The Postdoc Teaching Certificate offered through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs provides a framework for postdocs to engage in teaching preparation and practice.
GOOD FOR: Teaching, Academic Careers
Postdoc Wellness Programs
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs offers various workshops, series, and wellness-related events for postdocs throughout the year.
GOOD FOR: Wellness, Community
Preparing for Faculty Careers
This Spring Quarter course is for postdocs and advanced graduate students considering a career in academia. Through this course and its accompanying workshops, participants do self-exploration, learn about the variety of roles in academia, learn how to apply and land a faculty job, and develop a plan to thrive as a faculty member.
GOOD FOR: Academic Careers (varies by topic)
Scientific Management Series
This Winter Quarter course introduces postdocs to skills needed to establish independent careers in academic and other settings through seminars by leading faculty and subject matter experts on topics related to directing and managing a research lab.
GOOD FOR: Academic Careers, (varies by topic)
Teaching MOOC
Throughout the year, we offer in-person discussion groups to be paired with popular Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) on teaching, which enable participants to experience a “flipped” class experience while engaging with online course content on teaching.
GOOD FOR: Teaching
Teaching Workshop
This two-day teaching improvement workshop is designed to enhance participants’ versatility as teachers through a 7-component educational framework.
GOOD FOR: Teaching, Communication, Community
Undergraduate Teaching Seminar
This course is offered to Stanford postdocs through the Stanford-SJSU IRACDA Program, allowing Stanford postdocs to learn from seasoned faculty at SJSU about various topics in teaching undergraduates.
GOOD FOR: Teaching
Vocal Yoga
This voice workshop helps participants get their voice in shape for public speaking. These classes are offered for the entire university community weekly, and a postdoc-only series is offered once per year in the Spring Quarter.
GOOD FOR: Communication
