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Workshops

The following list of faculty workshops and courses regularly organized by the VPFDD.  Other opportunities for faculty development are offered within schools and departments, as well as by other offices on campus.

Writing Tricks of the Trade:  A workshop for faculty and their research teams to improve scientific writing skills

Faculty members and their research teams are invited to participate in this workshop on scientific writing skills for science journals and grants.  This 2-hour workshop aims to improve the team writing process and efficiency through an interactive session that introduces the participants to 6 practical techniques to improve clarity and conciseness across all sections of a manuscript, learn when and how to apply those techniques, and improve skills with short writing exercises. More

Faculty Writers' Retreat

This successful junior faculty program offers week-long sessions for assistant professors to work on their writing projects in a quiet and comfortable space with a small group of colleagues.  More

--See also the Stanford Humanities Center Manuscript Review Workshop which is designed to provide helpful and timely feedback to faculty preparing monographs or other similarly large academic bodies of work prior to submission for publication.  More

Editing in Motion: A workshop for Faculty and Their Research Teams

Attendees practice their editing skills using the 6 techniques discussed in the Writing Tricks of the Trade workshop on others' abstracts—and on what can be more challenging—their own abstracts.  The instructor provides additional detailed comments and new techniques.  The atmosphere is constructive, safe, and fun.  Research teams will have the opportunity to work together and develop shared knowledge of norms and expectations.  More

Negotiation Skills

This workshop offers a dynamic mix of theory, demonstration, skills exercises and roleplay practice intended to increase  confidence and effectiveness in any negotiation. The workshop introduces critical negotiation theory such as competitive versus collaborative approaches and identification of motivating interests to improve both the approach to negotiation and the quality of outcomes.  More

Adapting to Different Communication Styles and Setting Clear Expectations. 

There are many different communication styles, and often students and their faculty advisors differ in which they prefer.  This session will start with identifying some of the most common styles and practicing effective ways to best communicate with each.  We will also discuss how to set clear expectations, a critical foundation for productive working relationships.  The workshop will include opportunities to practice and discuss specific situations. Co-sponsored with the Office of Vice Provost for Graduate Education.  Led by Chris Golde, Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Education, and John Boothroyd, Professor of Microbiology & Immunology and Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Education.

How to Give Effective Feedback. 

Giving effective feedback is one of the most challenging and important parts of any faculty-student relationship.  Faculty need to effectively give both positive feedback, and feedback when change is desired.  We will provide tips for giving both in a way that works for the student’s communication style and, most importantly, produces the desired outcome.  Plenty of practice time will be built in.  Co-sponsored with the Office of Vice Provost for Graduate Education.  Led by Chris Golde, Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Education, and John Boothroyd, Professor of Microbiology & Immunology and Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Education.

Mentoring Postdoctoral Scholars

An annual workshop that covers elements of University policy that are intertwined with the mentoring of postdocs and managing their performance. The workshop also discusses case studies and is a forum for assistant and associate professors to share common experiences and concerns. The workshop includes an informal discussion with an invited guest, a senior faculty member, who shares his/her approach to mentoring graduate students and postdocs, and how s/he managed a variety of challenging situations. 

Rania Sanford, Assistant Vice Provost and Director of Programs, Faculty Development and Diversity, and Sofie Kleppner, Assistant Dean for Postdoctoral Affairs. Co-sponsored with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

Spring 2014 Faculty Guest: Phil Tsao, Professor (Research) of Medicine (Cardiovascular Medicine)

Spring 2013 Faculty Guest: PJ Utz, Professor of Medicine - Immunology & Rheumatology and Director, Medical Science Training Program.

Media Skills for Faculty

Are you as effective as you'd like in working with the news media -- print, broadcast, social and other online outlets? What are the benefits and risks of working with these media? What do you do when you get a call or email from a reporter? What's the best way to prepare effective content for a media interview? What should you do if you think you're being set up for someone else's agenda?

This interactive workshop is designed for Stanford faculty members who interact with the news media, and is led by Lisa Lapin, Stanford's Associate Vice President for University Communications, a seasoned media expert who provides guidance for faculty toward more effective interactions with the press.  Through a variety of exercises, including critiquing on-camera interviews with volunteers among the workshop participants, you will learn more about the benefits and risks of working with the media, crafting your message and responding to difficult questions, what to do when a reporter calls, preparing for interviews, your rights to obtain information before agreeing to participate, and more.