Faculty Mentor Program

One of our many endeavors in the Teaching Support Centre is the Faculty Mentor Program. This is quite a special program, it was jointly developed with the University Faculty Association and the University Administration specifically to make the experience, knowledge and expertise of colleagues available to new faculty. There are several projects designed and offered by the Centre to further this goal.

We are organizing a number of special sessions: panel discussions on significant topics that relate to the challenges and experiences of the faculty. These sessions will run during the year and are designed not only to convey relevant information, but especially to encourage interaction among all participants.

Mentoring has proven to be one of the significant common characteristics of a successful academic career. Mentors are experienced faculty who are happy to be an �ear�, who will respond to questions, explain oddities of the local environment, and offer advice if it is sought. As a new faculty member, there are a number of ways you can take advantage of mentoring. Some Faculties conduct their own mentor programs. For other Faculties, we create a list of departmental mentors who work with new members of faculty. Also, we plan to organize informal gatherings of new faculty to encourage peer exchange of ideas on career challenges.

This year we will be working on different ways to encourage and support a broader conception of mentoring that empowers individual members of faculty to build the networks of support they need for their particular contexts. This will link with our goal to respond to the great diversity of our faculty and the variety of their concerns.

It is exciting to be part of this endeavor. As we begin a new academic year together, let me offer my �ear� to you. Please feel free to contact me with your suggestions, concerns and questions. I look to you for reactions to our programs so that we can respond quickly to faculty needs. To succeed as a teacher/scholar is a wonderful challenge. We hope to facilitate your success.

For more information please contact: Madeline Lennon.

Faculty Mentor Program 2011-12

Preparing Research Grant Proposals: CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC

September 30, 2011 ~ 1:30 - 3:30pm

Teaching Support Centre, Room 112, The D.B. Weldon Library

CIHR Presentation (pdf)
SSHRC Presentation (pdf)

How is your grant application judged? Knowledgeable colleagues offer guidance and advice on how to best position your application, and share their experiences with grant review panels.

We begin this workshop with a brief Meet and Greet period, and then continue with introductions and general comments presented by Dr. Ted Hewitt.

Much of the session will be devoted to breakout groups dedicated to each of the three Councils, to provide time for focused discussion and questions. You choose which is most relevant for your area: CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC. Come with your questions and join the conversation.

Our Panelists:
Dr. Ted Hewitt
Vice-President (Research and International Relations)
Professor, Department of Sociology

Dr. David Litchfield (CIHR)
Chair, Department of Biochemistry, Department of Oncology

Dr. Andrew Nelson (SSHRC)
Associate Dean (Research), Faculty of Social Science
Professor, Department of Anthropology

Dr. Ernest K. Yanful (NSERC)
Chair, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Work/Life Balance: strategies for successful juggling

October 14, 2011 ~ 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Teaching Support Centre, Room 122, The D.B. Weldon Library

New colleagues are expected to learn how to balance the varied and high demands of teaching, research, and community service, while simultaneously accommodating a personal shift in life style. How to find this balance?

In this informal session, experienced colleagues share their experiences, talking about the challenges of the academic life and offering tips and advice. Your questions, comments and suggestions will be welcome!

Our panel:
Amanda Moehring
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology

Jeff Tennant
Professor, Department of French

Carol Jones
Associate Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Assistant Dean (Diversity & Outreach), Faculty of Science

Radoslav Dimitrov
Associate Professor, Department of Political Science

Research Western, Internal Grants and Other Sources

November 25, 2011 ~ 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Teaching Support Centre, Room 122, The D.B. Weldon Library

Funding Opportunities Handout November 2011 (pdf)

There are many opportunities for grants at Western that are especially important for new faculty. Success rates for these programs are higher than those for the major government granting agencies. This session tackles 'grantsmanship' or how to pitch proposals for these grants, how these proposals are adjudicated, and how such internal grant application experience can prepare you for future proposal writing and submission. Many of these internal grants programs specifically target new faculty and/or new research initiatives. Other funding opportunities will be discussed.

This workshop also introduces PIVOT, the new upgraded system of the Community of Science.

The material discussed at this session varies from other presentations at Faculty and Department meetings. Try not to miss this one!

Our panel from Research Development & Services:
Florence Lourdes
Internal Grants Coordinator

Katy Pocock
Pre-Award Grants Facilitator

Theresa Russelo
Manager, Research Grants

The Promotion and Tenure Process

December 8, 2011 ~ 1:30 - 3:30pm
Weldon Library, Room 258

Promotion and Tenure Process Slides December 2011 (pdf)

A panel of representatives from the UWO Faculty Association, the Office of Faculty Relations and the Office of the Provost will explain the procedures and respond to questions.

International Research and Collaboration

January 20, 2012 ~ 1:30-3:30pm
Teaching Support Centre, Room 122, The D.B. Weldon Library

Colleagues with previous experience in international research and collaboration will share their experiences in establishing research partnerships and taking students abroad.

Development of a Teaching Dossier and a Teaching Philosophy

February 10, 2012 ~ 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Teaching Support Centre, Room 122, The D.B. Weldon Library

Teaching Dossier Slides February 2012 (pdf)
Teaching Philosophy Statement Slides February 2012 (pdf) 

Get a head start on this part of the P&T process with tips from the experts.