STEMskiller (03)

Skill Set Map for Mentors of Early Career Researchers

Definitions, annotations, and links to high-quality open educational resources in English useful in guiding students towards excellence. 

Competencies are grouped into four areas, with subsections: 

1. Research and Scholarship
2. Teaching and Learning
3. Career Management
4. Engagement, Involvement, Collaboration, Transdisciplinarity, and Inquisitiveness

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1. RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP

1.0. In general (essentials)

*Academic presentations and posters 
**Selecting places to present
Before a conference: selecting conferences and preparing, submitting proposals [new]
Preparing and submitting proposals [new[
Predatory journals and conferences (who can be trusted) [1.3.6.]  [edit out journal part here]
**Preparing
Preparing presentation content [1.2.9.] 
Online presentations [new]
Rhetoric [1.3.2.] 
Designing research posters [1.2.11.] 
Online poster sessions [new]
Practice and feedback [1.2.10.] 
**Presenting
Oral presentation [1.6.3.] 
Presenting at online conferences [new]
Advanced communication: popular presentations [1.2.17.]
*Academic reading and writing
**Preparing to write 
Searching the literature [1.1.7][1.2.2][1.7.1]
Analysis and synthesis [1.5.2]
Critical reading [1.2.1]
Critical thinking [1.5.4]
Evaluating use and misuse of scientific information [1.11]
Making graphics/plots [1.13.1]
Reading and interpreting graphs, plots, statistical data [1.13.2]
**Writing specifics for different academic formats
***Books [new]
Citing correctly and reference/citation management tools [1.4.3]
Organizing a writing project [1.5.5.]
***Dissertations
English for doctoral researchers [1.2.3]
Organizing a writing project [1.5.5.]
***Research articles
Introduction to writing for publication [1.2.4.][1.6.1][1.2.5]
Organizing a writing project [1.5.5.]
Valid scientific argumentation [1.10]
****Quantitative statistics [1.10.1]
****Justifying inferences, predictions, conclusions [1.10.2.]
Abstraction and creativity [1.5.1]
Critical thinking and logic [1.3.1][1.5.4]
Rhetoric [1.3.2]
Co-authorship [1.4.10]
Copyright: definition, why considered important/or not important, things to consider [1.4.11.]
Citing correctly and reference/citation management tools [1.4.3]
***Review articles
Types of reviews [1.4.2]
Citing correctly and reference/citation management tools [1.4.3]
**Grant/proposal writing
Grant application writing: why important/purpose, types (cross-border, national, regional), examples [1.1.5.]
Citizen science: definition, examples, why important and emphasized in grant funding activities [1.1.1.]
"Intellectual property" rights (IP) (includes: knowledge transfer, patenting, legal and business standardization) [3.6.3.]
Research utilization [1.2.22.]
Copyright: definition, why considered important/or not important, things to consider [1.4.11.]
**Cooresponding with others 
Formal correspondence [1.6.2]
*Academic/scholarly publishing
History and overview of scientific publishing [new]
Publishing academic papers [1.2.6.]
Open access publishing: what is scholarly publishing, history of open access movement, importance [1.1.8][1.8.1.]
Predatory journals (who can be trusted) [1.3.6.] 
Peer reviewing [1.4.1.]
Visibility and research Impact [1.3.5.]
Copyright: definition, why considered important/or not important, things to consider [1.4.11.]
 "Intellectual property" rights (IP) (includes: knowledge transfer, patenting, legal and business standardization) [3.6.3.]
*Completing a doctorate (PhD)
Understanding research design [1.12]
English for doctoral researchers [1.2.3]
How to work with your supervisor [1.2.7.]
Time management and your PhD completion path [1.2.8][3.7.2]
Planning the final year of your PhD studies [1.2.12.]
Writing up your doctoral dissertation (thesis) [1.2.13.]
Managing eThesis/doctoral dissertation submissions [1.2.14.]
Preparing for the doctoral defense [new]
*Designing research projects (research methods)
Understanding research design  [1.12.]
*Data: gathering, working with (modeling, simulation, analysis), presenting, and storing 
**Gathering and organizing
Research data [1.8.3]
Data management [1.1.9.][1.8.4.] 
Open data management: history of open data initiatives, why important, current trends & guidelines [1.1.10.]
**Working with (modeling, simulation, analysis)
Data analysis: concepts and definitions, resources for learning more [1.1.2]
Advanced techniques in modelling complex systems [1.3.3.]
Information processing and exchange [1.7.3.]
Using R for statistical data analysis [1.3.4]
Programming/coding basics [1.7.4.][1.14.]
Software usage and development [1.7.5]
Sensitive data [1.8.5]
**Presenting
Information presentation and visualization [1.7.2.]
Making graphics/plots [1.13.1.]
**Storing
Open Archives [1.8.2]
*Discipline-specific competencies and skills [1.1.3.]
**Mathematics
Mathematical literacy [1.5.3]
**Statistics
Quantitative statistics [1.10.1]
*Ethics
Ethics and integrity: concepts and definitions [1.1.4.]
*Perspectives on "open" movements (beyond open publishing and open data)
Open education: history, definition, current trends, examples [1.1.11.]
Open evaluation: definition, why important, current trends, examples [1.1.12.]
Open licensing: definition, why important, current trends, examples [1.1.13.]
Open methodology: history, definition, importance [1.1.14.]
Open source: history, definition, current trends, examples [1.1.15.]

2. TEACHING AND LEARNING (also: Pedagogy, Education)

2.0. In general

*Early career researchers in the classroom [2.1]

Graduate assistant (GA), graduate teaching assistant (GTA), or graduate research assistant (GRA) training: definition, examples, why important [2.1.1.]

Learning outcomes and lesson plans: concepts and definitions, resources for learning more [2.1.2.]

Roles and expectations: concepts and definitions; resources for learning more [2.1.3.]

Teaching skills: concepts, examples, definitions [2.1.4.]

Assessment/evaluation (including grading/marking, rubrics, course evaluation, other forms of assessment): definitions, concepts, examples [2.1.5.]

***Feedback [2.1.5.1.] [subcategories of 2.1.5.=o.k.]

***Formative assessment [2.1.5.2.]

***Summative assessment (grading/marking, including rubrics) [2.1.5.3.]

****Self and peer assessment [2.1.5.4.]

****Course evaluations [2.1.5.5.]

****Assessment-outcome alignment [2.1.5.6.]

****Academic misconduct (plagiarism, cheating) [2.1.5.7.]

eLearning & learning management systems (teaching with technology): definition, why important, examples [2.1.6.] 

2.2. Teaching and supervision basics (postdocs+)

*Course development and assessment [2.2.1.]

**Course development [2.2.1.1.]

**Course assessment [2.2.1.2.]

***Feedback [2.2.1.2.1.]

***Formative assessment [2.2.1.2.2.]

***Summative assessment (grading/marking, including rubrics) [2.2.1.2.3.]

****Self and peer assessment [2.2.1.2.4.]

****Course evaluations [2.2.1.2.5.]

****Assessment-outcome alignment [2.2.1.2.6.]

****Academic misconduct (plagiarism, cheating) [2.2.1.2.6.]

*Exam preparation and assessment [2.2.2.]

*Mentoring and supervising students [2.2.3.]

**Working with your international students [new/VSCHT content]

*Teaching and learning theories, styles, and methods (builds on Section 2.1) [2.2.4.]

*Teaching for researchers/mentoring for scientists [2.2.5.]

*eLearning, learning management systems, teaching technologies [2.2.6.]

*Curriculum design/development [2.2.7.]

*Continuing education, ongoing self-education, and curiosity [2.2.8.}

*Social media and online learning [new]

3. CAREER MANAGEMENT 

3.0. In general
3.1. Language training
3.2. Leadership and teamwork

*Project management for researchers [3.2.1.][1.1.16.][1.9.], [1.1.17.]

*Managing for researchers [3.2.2.]

*Decision making: crucial factors, processes and approaches [3.2.3.]

*Conflict management [3.2.4.]

*Self-efficacy ("independence") and academic perseverance [3.2.5.]

*Social responsibility/taking on responsibility [3.2.6.]

*Sustainable mobility strategies based on international cooperation [3.2.8.]

*Inclusive mentoring [3.2.9.]

*Improving your intercultural collaboration skills: acting successfully in an International academic environment (includes international awareness, international communication) [3.2.10]

*Time management for research success: definition, why important, tools, examples [1.1.18]

3.3. Tenure process
3.4. Placement and job searching/seeking

*Searching for jobs
**Non-academic positions [3.4.1.]
Academic positions [3.4.2.]
*Applying for jobs
**Non-academic positions [3.4.3.]
**Academic positions [3.4.4.]
***CVs and cover vetters [3.4.4.1.] [1.2.16. ]
***Essays and other statements [3.4.4.2.]
***Salary negotiation [3.2.7.]
***Qualifications/skills documentation and verification [3.4.6.]
***Skills gap identification and development [3.4.7.]
*Getting promoted
**Managing your “habilitation”/ academic advancement and promotion [1.2.15.]
*Changing jobs
*Leaving academia: career planning for doctoral candidates [3.4.5.]
3.5. Interviewing & self-promotion

*Interviewing

**Interview techniques: non-academic positions [3.5.1.]

**Interview techniques: academic positions [3.5.2.]

**Pitch training in preparation for interviews [3.5.3.]

*Self-promotion

**Self-promotion [3.5.4.]

**Networking for researchers [3.5.5.]

**Steps to raising your research profile [4.2.4.]

3.6. Where academia & the private sector intersect

Basics in business administration, accounting, budgets [3.6.1.]

Entrepreneurship & startups (includes: innovation, commercialization) [3.6.2.]

"Intellectual property" rights (IP) (includes: knowledge transfer, patenting, legal and business standardization) [3.6.3.]

Intersectoral awareness and experience (internships/"real world” work experiences, experiential learning [3.6.4.]

3.7. Wellness/wellbeing & personal effectiveness

Personality & self-management [3.7.1.]

Time management: plan your time efficiently during your doctorate [3.7.2.]

Controlled by stress or stress under control? [3.7.3.]

Emotional intelligence: personal and social competence [3.7.4.]

Fostering creativity [3.7.5.]

Strategies for problem solving when things go wrongn[3.7.6.]

4. ENGAGEMENT, INVOLVEMENT, COLLABORATION, TRANSDISCIPLINARITY, AND INQUISITIVNESS

4.1. Academic endeavor
4.2. Impact and public engagement

Getting started with public engagement [4.2.1.]

Impact for researchers [4.2.3.]

Science for non-technical audiences [1.6.4.]

Science busking training/popular science presentation [4.2.2.]

Lay abstracts with impact [4.2.5.]

Engaging with schools [4.2.6.]

Developing effective communication skills for public engagement [4.2.7.]

Evaluating public engagement [4.2.8.]

Effective online engagement (including research blogging, social media posting, podcasting, & hosting virtual events) [4.2.9]

4.3. Transdisciplinarity

Transdiciplinarity: definitions [new]
Interdisciplinarity: definition, why important, examples [1.1.6.]

4.4. Responsibility and integrity
4.5. Social, cultural, and environmental awareness/sustainable development: values, technology in society, and the researcher

From research to policy for sustainable development [1.2.20.]

Science for policy making [1.6.5.]

4.6. Global engagement
4.7. Inquisitiveness/curiosity
4.8. Understanding risk