Join the Gund Leadership Academy
The Gund Leadership Academy (GLA) is a professional development program of workshops, panel discussions, and seminars that will help our graduate students and postdoctoral fellows become effective, confident, and influential leaders with their research.
The program will cover many elements of leadership, including research, publishing, communications, policy outreach, diversity and inclusion, and productivity. The trainings will be led by members of the Gund community who are leading experts in these key areas.
We have a broad vision of “leadership.” Some leaders have unmistakable presence, while others are quietly influential. The skills our graduate and postdoctoral Fellows will take from this program can be applied to any career direction—academia, nonprofit, or government.
About the program:
- *Trainings comprise skills not generally taught in traditional credit courses.
- *Trainers include UVM faculty, Gund staff, and outside experts.
- *Trainings are 2-4 hours, casual, highly interactive, and reflect the direct experience of the instructor.
- *Each training may be arranged as a presentation, panel discussion, or workshop.
- *Participants will have the opportunity to provide suggestions and feedback.
We expect a high level of participation from our graduate students, including: at least 4 trainings for master’s students and 6 trainings for PhD students before they graduate, and at least 4 trainings for postdocs during their two-year fellowship. All Fellows are required to take one equity training.
The Gund will offer at least two trainings per semester and coordinate with other units to offer joint opportunities. Currently, these trainings are not offered for credit, but we will explore that option as the program develops.
The Future of Open Access: How Will it Impact You?
Panelists:
Meredith Niles (Acting Director, Gund Institute for the Environment and Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences)
Mary Cushman (Professor of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Divison and Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Medicine)
Dan DeSanto (Associate Professor, UVM Libraries)
Kendall Fortney (Program Director, Open Source Program Office)
Wednesday, March 8 from 12-1:30pm
This event will explore open access publishing and principles with UVM community members. Themes to be discussed include the cost of publishing, equity in publishing, the future of open access, and more. Following the panel discussion, the floor will be opened for questions and comments from the audience.
1.5 hours with lunch provided. RSVP requested, open to all.
Location: Davis Auditorium (between the Larner Learning Commons and UVMMC)
A hybrid option will be available closer to the date.
Leadership & Listening for Working with Communities
Facilitators: Elena Bennett is a Gund Affiliate and Professor of Sustainability Science at McGill University.
Monday, April 3, 2-4pm
This workshop will explore how two things can transform your leadership and ability to work with others: (1) knowing yourself better, and (2) listening better. We will do two main exercises: one to better understand ourselves, and a second to practice active listening. Both are key components of working with communities and other teams.
2 hours total. RSVPs required.
Fall 2022 Events
Policy Engagement Workshop
Facilitator: Stephen Posner, Gund Director of Policy
Panelists: Policy practitioners to be confirmed.
Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 10am-12pm
This workshop will empower participants to engage with policymakers and share what they do, what they know – and most importantly, why it matters – in clear, lively terms. Participants will learn from a panel of practitioners about how research and policy interact. We will prepare for opportunities to engage with policy through facilitated discussion, hands-on practice, and concrete tips and tools.
2 hours total, followed by an optional lunch with the panelists. RSVPs will be required
Getting the Resources You Need for Your Research: Grant Writing
Facilitators: Lini Wollenberg is a Gund Fellow and Research Professor at UVM, and Tom Dietz is a Gund Affiliate and University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University.
Friday, Nov. 4, 2-4pm
Two experienced grant writers will lead this workshop providing real-world examples of proposals that get funded and ones that don’t. We’ll explore what goes into a proposal and what funders are looking for. Whether you’re new to the process or have been engaging in RFP cycles for years, you’ll benefit from this workshop.
2 hours total. RSVPs will be required.
Science Communication: Connecting with Your Audience to Share the Wonder and Joy of Your Research
Facilitator: Natalie Miller, Vermont Comedy Club
Wednesday, Dec. 7 from 2-4pm
Through this interactive workshop with Natalie Miller (Vermont Comedy Club), you’ll learn productive and effective communication strategies through improv exercises that teach us to listen closely and pay attention to our audiences. This will be a fun and participatory workshop on building your skills for more effective research communication with your stakeholders, policymakers, colleagues, advisors, future employers, the general public, or even your neighbor! This is an in-person-only session and space is limited.