DRN Virtual Researcher's Workshop a Success

February 22, 2022 - Greg Teachout

As part of its mission to advance the research and support collaborative opportunities among (connect and elevate) faculty of color and diversity scholars interested in their research, The Diversity Research Network offers workshops on applying for grants and fellowships. One such offering, The Researcher’s Workshop, went virtual for the first time this year to great success. 

The workshop’s featured speaker was Hannah Distinguished Professor Quinetta Roberson, who offered insights and strategies for navigating the National Science Foundation granting process.  Her comments were enhanced by presentations from the Office for Research and Innovation consultants who offered additional writing tips for NSF and NIH grant proposals. The DRN also provided a Book Prospectus session (Harvard Ed Press and University of Chicago Press), and finally, combining self-care with navigating the challenges of a large institution, DRN offered a session on Managing Racialized Harassment in and out of the classroom with national speakers Howard Stevenson Constance Clayton Professor from the University of Pennsylvania, Assistant Professor Mona Abo-Zena from the University of Massachusetts, and MSU’s own Peter De Costa.

“The workshop was received well, with 81% of responding participants giving an overall rating of 5 (range 1-5),” said DRN Director Deborah Johnson. “100% of participants indicated a very good to excellent rating, meeting or exceeding their expectations.”

One participant had this to say:

“Prior to attending, I knew I would gain a lot of new knowledge based on the topics and presenters. However, after attending, I gained so many skills, insights, and connections that I didn’t know would be possible. I’m still new to my role at MSU, so the timeliness and thoughtfulness of this workshop gave me a new community of support with colleagues I had not met before and insight on the grant seeking process I was not exposed to before.”