Program Timeline
In addition to the activities listed below, all MERIT Scholars are required to attend and participate in the ‘MERIT Program Workshop Series', the ‘MERIT Program Annual Retreat', and the ‘Annual IRACDA Conference'; these events are explained in more detail below.
Year 1:
- Research
- Formulate ‘Personal Research Skills Development Plan'
- Begin research training with selected research mentor
- Complete research ethics training
- Participate in Professional Skills Workshops
- Teaching
- Formulate ‘Personal Teaching Skills Development Plan'
- Complete teaching-related coursework at UAB
- Observe on-going classes at Miles, Stillman
- Select teaching mentor from Miles or Stillman
- Mentor undergraduate summer research intern
Year 2:
- Research
- Participate in Professional Skills Workshops
- Attend and present research findings at a national scientific meeting
- Publish research findings
- Teaching
- Participate in on-going classes at Miles, Stillman
- Prepare course for Year 3 with teaching mentor
- Mentor undergraduate summer intern
Year 3:
- Research
- Participate in Professional Skills Workshops
- Attend and present research findings at a national scientific meeting
- Publish research findings
- Teaching
- Teach prepared course with teaching mentor
- Implement job search and job placement
MERIT Program Workshop Series:
The purpose of the MERIT Program Workshop Series is to provide additional teaching experiences for MERIT Scholars and to promote interactions between members of the MERIT Community. MERIT Scholars are involved directly in the planning of these workshops. The MERIT Workshop Series is held monthly throughout the academic year; the location of each workshop rotates between institutions.
MERIT Program Annual Retreat:
Each year, the MERIT Program holds a retreat for the entire MERIT Community. Like the MERIT Program Workshop Series described above, this retreat will provide additional teaching experiences for MERIT Scholars and will further promote interactions between members of the MERIT Community. The MERIT Program Annual Retreat is a day-long event at a venue that is central to the participating institutions. All members of the MERIT Program Community are expected to attend; attendance will be required for all MERIT Scholars.
Annual IRACDA Conference:
MERIT Scholars together with members of the MERIT Program Executive Committee attend the Annual IRACDA Conference each year. Because this conference brings together the greater IRACDA community, it provides MERIT Scholars and program administrators an opportunity to share experiences and challenges with those that share similar career goals in research and science education. Previous conferences have included discussions on topics related to postdoctoral career development, such as grant writing, pedagogy, and job seeking, and more global issues, including diversity initiatives and NIH funding levels.