1 / 10

Overcoming Challenges in Small EDA Programs for Faculty

Explore challenges and solutions faced by faculty in schools with smaller EDA programs. Tips on limited infrastructure, manpower, knowledge, visibility, mentorship, understanding, and more.

season
Télécharger la présentation

Overcoming Challenges in Small EDA Programs for Faculty

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. 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

  2. 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”

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

More Related