Written by Amanda Butz
The NRMN Mentorship Training Core hosted its first train-the-trainer event for facilitators of Entering Research November 16-17 at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Led by Drs. Janet Branchaw, Amanda Butz, and Amber Smith, the Madison workshop was attended by 20 facilitators and instructors from across the country. Entering Research is an undergraduate and graduate training curriculum designed to be implemented locally with research trainees. Originally developed in 2010, the curriculum has been revised and expanded to include over 100 activities and resources, 50 of which are new. A team of 26 NRMN community members from 13 universities and colleges across the country have contributed to the revised curriculum, which addresses seven areas of trainee development: research communication and comprehension skills; practical research skills; research ethics; researcher identity; researcher confidence and independence; cultural awareness and skills; and professional and career development skills. A new assessment tool that aligns with these areas of trainee development is also included with the curriculum.
In addition to learning about the curriculum and available evaluation and assessment tools, workshop participants were also given time to work independently and in groups on developing their curriculum and implementation plans. 82% of the facilitators who completed workshop evaluations rated the workshop as excellent. On average, participants left the workshop with their curriculum and implementation plans at least 75% complete. Another facilitator training will be held on March 22 – 23, 2018 at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. The deadline to apply is February 16, 2018. For more information and to apply, visit https://sites.google.com/wisc.edu/facilitatingenteringresearch/home
The revised Entering Research curriculum will be released in 2018. For more information on the curriculum and future training opportunities, please contact the Entering Research Team at enteringresearch@education.wisc.edu.
