New Faculty Institute 2016 | Matthew Desmond, Karine A. Gibbs, Anupam Bapu Jena | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

A panel of Harvard faculty members discuss their advice on setting priorities, disseminating research, and balancing work and life as a scholar at Harvard.

Transcript

hi I'm Elizabeth Ian Khurana assistant provost for faculty development and diversity and I echo drew in Judy's comments in welcoming you here today it's so wonderful to see you all and we're looking forward to hearing what your colleagues have to say in terms of advice on navigating your scholarly life and other parts of your life while you're here... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏛️ Building a sense of community within the department can enhance the overall faculty experience.
• 💦 Resources and support for childcare and housing are available at Harvard and can greatly impact work-life balance.
• 👨‍🔬 Cultivating relationships with journalists, foundations, and external funding agencies can help in disseminating research and securing funding.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can faculty members prioritize their research ideas and ensure they are of general interest?

Babu Jana suggests considering the potential appeal to both the lay public and scholars, aiming for creativity and innovation in research ideas. It is essential to make ideas understandable and intriguing to a broader audience.

Q: What advice do the panelists have for young faculty members seeking funding for their research projects?

The panelists recommend exploring resources available at Harvard, applying for grants such as the Milton grant, and cultivating relationships with foundations and external funding agencies. Speaking with experts in the field and pitching innovative ideas are effective strategies.

Q: How can faculty members effectively disseminate their research to the public and gain media coverage?

Building relationships with journalists and reporters, both through personal connections and social media platforms like Twitter, can help in getting research findings covered in major news outlets. It is also beneficial to reach out to journalists who have written on relevant topics and offer expertise in order to establish collaborations.

Q: How can faculty members balance work and family life successfully?

Matthew Desmond recommends prioritizing time for deep research work and being selective about external engagements to protect personal time. Incorporating family into the academic journey, utilizing childcare resources provided by Harvard, and seeking support from senior colleagues are also helpful in achieving work-life balance.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The panelists, Babu Jana, Kareem Gibbs, and Matthew Desmond, share their insights on navigating scholarly life at Harvard.

• Babu Jana emphasizes the importance of building a sense of community within the department and setting priorities that are innovative and of general interest.

• Kareem Gibbs highlights the significance of getting to know the support staff at Harvard and exploring opportunities for housing in the area.

• Matthew Desmond discusses the importance of securing funding, publishing research, and maintaining work-life balance, including incorporating family into the academic journey.