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2009 CIC SROP Conference

Passport to the Ph.D.

Preparation for Global Leadership

Passport to the Ph.D.: Preparation for Global Leadership

Research Roundtable Facilitators

Location: Modern Languages Building
Date: Saturday, July 25, 2009
Session 1: 2:15 pm - 3:45 pm
Session 2: 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

The purpose of the research roundtables is to give SROP scholars an opportunity to discuss their research with one another in an informal setting, while broadening their view of research, scholarship, and creativity. The roundtable sessions also provide an opportunity for SROP scholars to gather perspectives from faculty members and their peers that they may subsequently apply to the remainder of their SROP research efforts.

We schedule approximately 60 roundtable discussion groups consisting of 6-8 students each. A list of the roundtables and their specific locations will be provided to each facilitator and student. Students self-select their disciplinary group based upon their research interests and summer research project. The composition of each group was designed to facilitate student interaction from peers of diverse backgrounds and experiences. Most of the groups will be organized by discipline or related disciplines (e.g., Communications, Social Science, Engineering). However, many will target specific fields within the disciplines (e.g., Civil/Architectural Engineering, Microbiology). The roundtables will be held in classrooms on the University of Michigan campus in the Modern Languages Building [link to maps].

Each roundtable will have at least one faculty member and/or graduate student facilitator. Facilitators are responsible for keeping the students engaged in a meaningful dialogue, ensuring fairness and respect in their peer presentations and ample opportunities to speak.

Each student should be given five to ten minutes to present his or her project and to answer questions. Facilitators may adjust this time depending on the size of the group. (Please inform students of any change in their presentation time at the start of the roundtable session.) The other SROP scholars should be encouraged to raise questions and offer constructive feedback. Facilitators should expect students to summarize their research projects according to the following outline:

  • Title of project
  • Purpose or objective
  • Rationale or significance
  • Methodology (e.g., library research, lab experiments, interviews)
  • Status of project; including problems encountered
  • Tentative conclusions (if any)
  • Mentor's role in the project

If time permits, facilitators may discuss the benefits of graduate education and other topics related to careers in academia.

Students were provided specific instructions to guide their preparation for the roundtable sessions. Please review the 2009 CIC/SROP Conference Research Roundtable Guidelines for CIC/SROP Scholars for details essential to facilitating a roundtable discussion that corresponds with student preparations.

If you have any questions or additional concerns, please contact Yolanda Zepeda of the CIC at 217-244-5565 or .