June 25, 2019

All people hold intersecting identities that combine aspects of their culture and experience across gender, race, ethnicity, job title, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, and more. This diversity of cultures and identities means that intercultural communication skills are critical to one’s ability to form positive and inclusive collaborations. Here are some important factors to consider when engaging in intercultural communication:

Your words: Think about the impact of your words on others, and remember that impact is more important than intention. Ask respectful questions and clarify how to pronounce names that you are not familiar with.

Geography: Knowledge of your location and the history of the spaces you occupy can improve your communication with others. When interacting with people from another country, educate yourself and don’t expect or ask them to represent their entire culture.

Culture: Be respectful of all cultures. Learn more about implicit bias and take some time to complete self-work. The Harvard Implicit Bias Test, while imperfect, can be a good starting place for examining your own unconscious biases.

Adapted from Dr. Roopa Rawjee’s workshop, Intercultural Communication for Inclusive and Positive Collaborations.

Preparing for success on the job market and beyond.
Find a full list of events on the For Future Faculty website.

On the Academic Job Market: Composing the All-Important Cover Letter
Monday, July 8 | 3 - 4:30pm
6176 Helen C. White Hall

Communication | Inquiry, Discovery, and Creation | Disciplinary Expertise and Interdisciplinary Connections 

Wednesday Afternoon Drop-In Graduate Writing Group
Wednesdays, June 26 - August 7 | 1 - 4 pm
6172 Helen C. White Hall

Thursday Morning Drop-In Graduate Writing Group
Thursdays, June 27 - August 8 | 10 am - 1 pm
6172 Helen C. White Hall

For dates and times of each class, and for more software classes, visit the SSCC website.

Lunchtime Wellness in the Garden
Wednesday, June 26 | 11:30 am - 1 pm
Allen Centennial Garden

MGN APIDA Graduate Student & Faculty Mixer
Wednesday, June 26 | 5 - 8 pm
Union South (Check TITU)

If you have completed a Teaching-as-Research (TAR) project, you are invited to present a poster on your project at the 6th National CIRTL Forum, which will take place at Drexel University, Oct. 13-15. This NSF-supported gathering is designed to foster discussion and networking among future faculty, current faculty, and university leaders focused on improving undergraduate STEM education. See the Call for Posters page for abstract guidelines and a link to the abstract submission form. The deadline to submit poster abstracts is July 1. There are also a limited number of awards available for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who are presenting TAR project posters to support their travel to the Forum. See the Travel award information page for details. Travel Award applications are due Aug. 9.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a Postdoctoral Researchers’ Networking Tour for postdocs working in fields related to AI, the internet of things, cyber-physical systems, and the future of manufacturing who are interested in job opportunities in Germany (academic and non-academic). The funding includes a practice-oriented and diverse program to suit the requirements of the participants, coverage of program-related costs in Germany (accommodation, domestic travel, most meals), a lump sum travel allowance if such costs are not borne by a third party. The tour dates are Sept. 22-28, and the deadline for applying is July 29. See the tour page for detailed information on eligibility and how to apply. 

Let’s Talk. If you’re on-campus, Let’s Talk provides free, informal, and confidential consultations at locations across campus. Drop in to talk to a counselor about any topic – stress, sadness, relationships, academic performance, financial struggles, and family problems are common topics. Counselors can help you explore solutions from their perspective, or, if you’re interested, introduce you to what it’s like to talk to a counselor more regularly.

Group Counseling for Graduate Students. UHS offers support/theme groups for graduate students, including groups for all graduate students, groups for dissertators, groups for graduate women, and groups for graduate students of color. This supportive environment is a great way to share experiences around the challenges of grad school with other grad students.

For more mental health resources, visit the UHS website on mental health.

The Dean of Students Office provides resources to students struggling with a variety of issues, and can be your go-to spot for assistance as a graduate student. To contact the Dean of Students Office's Graduate Student Assistance Specialist Elaine Goetz-Berman directly, email egoetz2@wisc.edu.

Faculty Engagement Project Assistant, Active Teaching Labs (DoIT)
Qualifications: Experience with data management, curation, visualization, and/or reporting

Research Assistant, Center for Demography of Health and Aging
Qualifications: Advanced PhD student in the social, computational, or health sciences

Energy Analysis and Policy International Student Scholarships
Application due Sept. 4

The Energy Analysis and Policy (EAP) graduate certificate program is seeking international students to join its interdisciplinary community of students and faculty who are advancing the energy field. Up to five scholarships of $5,000 each will be awarded to international graduate students who choose to enroll in the EAP program in Summer 2019. Students in almost any graduate degree program at UW–Madison who are eligible to enroll in EAP are thus also eligible for this award. Applicants must hold a passport from a country outside the United States (dual citizens are also eligible). For more details, visit the program webpage or contact EAP Coordinator Scott Williams at spwilliams@wisc.edu.