Newcomb Institute hosts digital research workshop
The Newcomb Institute recently hosted a free online workshop titled “Communicating Your Research in a Digital World” for participants of the Newcomb Scholars Program. Led by Aidan Smith, director of the Newcomb Scholars Program, and Jacquelyne Thoni Howard, administrative assistant professor of technology and women’s history, the workshop focused on the tools and techniques researchers use to promote their work in a digital world.
The three-day session, which ran from June 28-30, included panels as well as activities geared toward developing an online portfolio and web presence. Topics covered included overcoming imposter syndrome, networking with Twitter and LinkedIn, developing elevator pitches, navigating graduate admissions, presenting at conferences, cultivating research opportunities beyond the program, and creating digital portfolios.
“The Digital Research Workshop provided me with a crash course in necessary professional tools such as digital portfolios, elevator pitches, and personal statements in an encouraging environment,” Newcomb Scholar and third-year student Emma Allen said.
Participants also learned how to craft a strong graduate school application, build a resume, and cultivate a digital presence for their research. A panel on graduate school admissions included guest speakers Sally J. Kenney, executive director of Newcomb Institute and former chair of graduate admissions for the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs; Mike Woodson, director of admissions at the Tulane University School of Medicine; Caroline Sampson, senior admissions officer and director of campus programs at Georgetown University and Newcomb Scholar alumna; and Ross J. Fenimore, fellowship analyst at the University of California, Los Angeles.
“As a rising senior, I have been considering and preparing for graduate school on my own, but I was glad to be able to connect with my peers and Newcomb professors about how best to develop my goals... I feel excited and well prepared for life after Tulane with these resources in mind,” history major Maya Lavinier said.
A panel of Newcomb Scholars alumni provided current students with valuable advice for navigating post-grad life. Alumni participants included Gisele Calderon (School of Science and Engineering, ’13), who received her Ph.D. in Bioengineering from Rice University; Sophie Leonard (School of Liberal Arts, ’15, ’16), who is pursuing a Ph.D. in English from Emory University; Renee Trepagnier (School of Liberal Arts, ’21), who will study archeology at the University of Oxford in the fall; and Emily Galik (School of Liberal Arts, ’18), a student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Law.
“Although each session was extremely useful, I found the alumni panel, where past scholars shared how they successfully navigated graduate programs, especially helpful. I feel well supported and better prepared to begin my senior year and, eventually, post-graduate life, thanks to Newcomb and this workshop,” said political science major Hadley Sayers.
