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CHALLENGES FOR FACULTY FROM SCHOOLS WITH SMALLER EDA PROGRAMS Yiorgos Makris Associate Professor, Departments of EE & CS Yale University DAC Young Faculty Workshop --- July 27, 2009

Challenges for faculty from schools with Smaller Eda programs

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Challenges for faculty from schools with Smaller Eda programs. Yiorgos Makris Associate Professor, Departments of EE & CS Yale University DAC Young Faculty Workshop --- July 27, 2009. Universities with small EDA programs. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Challenges for faculty from schools with Smaller  Eda  programs

CHALLENGES FOR FACULTY FROM SCHOOLS WITH SMALLER EDA PROGRAMSYiorgos MakrisAssociate Professor, Departments of EE & CS Yale University

DAC Young Faculty Workshop --- July 27, 2009

Page 2: Challenges for faculty from schools with Smaller  Eda  programs

Universities with small EDA programs Eclectic, mostly private, schools with focus

on liberal arts and low emphasis on engineering

Traditional EE/CS departments heavy in applied science rather than engineering

Newer schools trying to build up in the area Does size matter?

It sure does!!! Especially if your area requires heavy development to facilitate research

But “small” does not mean “inadequate”

Page 3: Challenges for faculty from schools with Smaller  Eda  programs

Challenge (1): Limited Infrastructure Lab space Equipment Software tools Possible Remedies:

Prepare concise proposal - educate the department

Invest the time/money to build up & learn Leverage “teaching needs” to fund infrastructure Make use of educational discounts Seek donations from industry

Page 4: Challenges for faculty from schools with Smaller  Eda  programs

Challenge (2): Limited Manpower Ability to attract high-quality students Collaboration opportunities Technical support Possible Remedies:

Active pre-emptive recruiting, use your contacts Keep an open mind: true interdisciplinary

research may hold far more potential Cast your net wide: collaborate across schools Play along: IT usually curious to learn new

things

Page 5: Challenges for faculty from schools with Smaller  Eda  programs

Challenge (3): Limited Knowledge Pertinent graduate courses In-house collective expertise CAD research culture Possible Remedies:

Hold weekly meetings, mix it up, make it fun Start a seminar, invite high-profile colleagues Expose your group to technical meetings Educational opportunities (DASS, CADathlon,

etc.) Leverage collaborations to challenge your

students

Page 6: Challenges for faculty from schools with Smaller  Eda  programs

Challenge (4): Limited Visibility Industrial contacts Federal government agencies “Research center” accessibility Possible Remedies:

Student & visiting faculty summer positions Introduce research portfolio to program directors Short visits with “research center” schools Contacts may help but technical content is the key Remember: it takes time… be persistent but

patient

Page 7: Challenges for faculty from schools with Smaller  Eda  programs

Challenge (5): Limited Mentorship Feedback on research topics Guidance in seeking funds, grant writing, etc. Championing (committees, awards, etc.) Possible Remedies:

Talk to people… Informal feedback is very effective Find external mentor, make it official if possible Get yourself invited to proposal review panels Volunteer your time, community will bring you up Ask… but don’t be a pest

Page 8: Challenges for faculty from schools with Smaller  Eda  programs

Challenge (6): Limited Understanding Definition of impact Appreciation of contributions Calibration of departmental expectations Possible Remedies:

Semi-annual discussion with Chair Educate your mentor, use success story

examples Have your visitors meet the senior faculty Publicize achievements in your field Make yourself visible and sought after

Page 9: Challenges for faculty from schools with Smaller  Eda  programs

Summary Longer lead time and additional effort

needed: view as opportunity rather than impediment

Don’t complain – explain:be prepared to educate your department

Choose your battles wisely:remember that change happens slowly

Understand the constraints & be flexible:adversity is not always your enemy

Page 10: Challenges for faculty from schools with Smaller  Eda  programs

Summary (cont’d) Position yourself at the driver’s seat:

leverage connections, emit positive outlook Make yourself known in your community:

compete on quality, not quantity Take advantage of personal feel of small

places: make yourself an integral part of department

Have fun!!! It’s your choice to be there after all:if truly unhappy, be prepared to make a change