Steering Committee Meetings 2006
MSU is one of eighteen institutions to be selected for support of seed grants by the National Postdoctoral Association as part of their “Bring RCR Home” project. Our project would extend efforts by the Graduate School in cooperation with the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies to highlight issues and communicate the importance of research integrity and the responsible conduct of research beyond graduate students to postdoctoral trainees.
We believe this is timely, because the National Science Foundation has just announced a new requirement that all proposals requesting support for postdoctoral researchers after January 5, 2009 must include a separate section as part of the Project Description that describes specific mentoring activities that will be provided. Examples of mentoring activities include, but are not limited to:
- career counseling;
- training in preparation of grant proposals, publications and presentations;
- guidance on ways to improve teaching and mentoring skills;
- guidance on how to effectively collaborate with researchers from diverse backgrounds and disciplinary areas; and
- training in responsible professional practices.
Please assist in alerting faculty and postdoctoral trainees about this new requirement and the MSU Responsible Conduct of Research Workshop Series as one institutional effort to assist in meeting this requirement.
************We are now recruiting up to 30 postdoctoral researchers to participate in a focus group program that would require their attendance at three of the workshops included in the program highlighted above. These are scheduled for October 15; January 15; and February 18. The details of each is described at the RCR Workshop Series site. The would also be asked to attend informal, follow-up discussions about the issues raised at each of these workshops at the Kellogg Center, with dinner provided, beginning at 6:00 pm and ending no later than 8:30 pm.on Monday, October 20; Tuesday, January 20; and Monday, February 23. I will attend and assist in facilitating the discussion on each night with the support of Dr. Terry May.
Postdoctoral researchers participating will be introduced to key resources and concepts related to research integrity, research mentoring and advising, and responsible conduct in research and creative activities. However, the primary focus will be on soliciting the input of the postdoctoral participants concerning their views and opinions about how to best assist in meeting their professional needs related to issues of responsible research conduct and in fostering an environment where responsible conduct is valued and rewarded.
For individuals agreeing to participate, and attending the workshops listed above, a Certificate of Attendance and Participation will be provided at the final session.
Interested parties are asked to indicate their interest in attending and participating by sending an email with “NPA RCR Discussions” in the Subject Line to gradwrsp@msu.edu with their name, department, and e-mail address. Attendance will be limited to 30 participants so please recommend that they respond as soon as possible.
For more information, you may contact Terry May at either mayte@msu.edu or 432-7140.