implementing a dissertation bootcamp
DESCRIPTION
Implementing a dissertation boot camp This presentation traces the development and implementation of a Dissertation Boot Camp for the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. Inspired by a session at the 2012 NAGAP annual conference, four graduate program coordinators wrote a proposal for a similar program and worked together with administrators from the college Dean’s office to plan and administer a pilot program this summer. A panel of graduate program coordinators and Dean's office staff presented on the planning phase of our pilot Boot Camp at this year’s NAGAP annual conference. This presentation will follow up on this earlier panel by addressing three topics: 1) the advantages and disadvantages of our chosen boot camp format, 2) the value of the program to participants, and 3) formal assessment and future planning. Presenter(s): Marilyn Lehman, Chaz Nailor, Melanie Morgan The University of Texas at AustinTRANSCRIPT
Implementing a Dissertation Boot Camp University of Texas at Austin—Summer 2013
1 Organization: What worked, and what didn’t? Chaz Nailor, Graduate Coordinator Department of French & Italian
2 Experience: What did participants take away? Marilyn Lehman, Graduate Coordinator Department of History of History
3 Evaluation: Where do we go from here? Melanie Morgan, Foundations Specialist Office of Research & Graduate Studies College of Liberal Arts
Presentation Agenda:
Part 1 - Organization What worked, and what didn’t?
Boot camp organizers: Graduate Coordinators from Anthropology, French & Italian, Psychology, and History, and Dean’s Office staff
Students at work, Writing Space
Writing mentor presentation, Activity Space Ferlin McGaskey, Center for Teacher and Learning
Part 2 - Experience What did participants take away?
"I am quite frankly astounded by how much work I managed to get done during the last two weeks and hope to keep up the pace, even though the boot camp is now ending.”
--Graduate Student, History
"In addition to the writing, I have learned several valuable techniques to maximize my productivity as I
complete the dissertation. Some of these strategies include: establishing a daily writing block, using visual
mapping techniques to brainstorm sections of the chapter that remain unclear, identifying and clarifying
the purpose, rationale, background, and theoretical support for the two newest chapters, and soliciting
more feedback from my peers (several of us have
already started a writing group)."
--Graduate Student, American Studies
Faculty presentation, Activity Space Prof. Marjorie Curry Woods, English
Faculty presentation, Activity Space Prof. Marjorie Curry Woods, English, with a Psychology graduate student
One-on-one faculty mentoring, Activity Space Prof. Randy Lewis, American Studies with a History graduate student
Peer discussion, Activity Space Graduate students in History and Geography
Boot campers at our wrap-up dinner
Part 3 - Evaluation Where do we go from here?
blogs.utexas.edu/dissertationbootcamp/
Daily Writing Log
1 What did you learn today?
2 What do you need to do tomorrow?
3 How are we doing?
Formal Survey
• Online Survey Tool
• Quantitative & Qualitative
• Students, Presenters, & Organizers
Student workspace, Julius Glickman Conference Center, College of Liberal Arts Building
Thank you! …Any questions?