The Early Career Success Program is designed to empower new assistant professors by accelerating their transition to faculty life. The program will impart crucial knowledge about the University, enhance research skills, and set up new faculty to be thriving members of the University of Chicago academic community. This is a cohort-based initiative, in which new faculty engage in hands-on learning through a series of workshops and participate in mentor-facilitated group meetings to reflect upon their goals and discuss new challenges.  

The program is geared toward new tenure-track assistant professors. It will include five workshops over the course of the academic year. Faculty will also participate in small-group peer mentoring that will allow for engagement with colleagues across the University. 

Register here to join the program. Registrations will be accepted as space allows until October 3rd.

Click here for a detailed list of speakers and topics.

The Academic Ecosystem: How the University Works    

As faculty, it can be helpful to gain a broader view of how the University operates. This session will provide exclusive insight from multiple University leaders, with tips on how to find and navigate your own place in the institution, with the goal of professional empowerment and success. Friday, October 17, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Time Management and Peer Mentorship for Maximizing Productivity and Minimizing Stress 

In addition to launching a research program, new faculty will be expected to take on a number of other responsibilities including teaching, service, and generally adapting to their new life at the University of Chicago. This session will be led by behavioral science experts, who offer research-informed frameworks for optimizing your time for maximum research impact and personal fulfillment. It will also introduce participants to senior faculty mentors for additional perspectives and advice. Monday, December 8, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Generating Impactful Research and Scholarship Before (and Beyond) Tenure 

This engaging workshop, led by external faculty experts and authors, will equip early-career faculty members with effective, immediately applicable techniques for creating field-changing research. Through hands-on exercises, participants will enhance their repertoire of skills for designing research projects that change the trajectory of their field. This training will introduce concepts from the facilitators’ book Where Research Begins. Friday, February 13, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Zoom session)

Effective Academic Writing: From Grants and Book Proposals to Finished Manuscripts  

Making the transition to a first faculty job often raises the importance of effective and persuasive academic writing. This session, led by writing and publishing professionals, will include training on advanced strategies of persuasive academic writing, plus breakout groups for book and grant fields in which participants will hear from experts who train and advise faculty on a range of writing applications. Friday, April 24, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.                                         

Building Academic Networks for Mentorship and Collaboration 

This interactive workshop, led by an external academic coaching professional, will prepare participants to cultivate relationships with senior scholars and peers, communicate effectively with editors and other academic gatekeepers, and develop a strategy to build diverse networks. It will also impart practical tips for reducing the awkwardness of networking and developing productive collaborations. Wednesday, May 27, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Register here to join the program.

Questions? Contact Mike Tessel, Assistant Provost (tessel@uchicago.edu)