The Academic Expedition
By Charlotte Ambrozek & Olivia Winokur
The Academic ExpeditionJun 02, 2021
Episode 4: Discussing the feedback and communication toolkit
In the final episode of the podcast, Charlotte and Olivia discuss the feedback and communication toolkit that we've been chatting about all along! We also talk about the infographic we made, and you can find the infographic here!
0:00 introductions and review of last episode
1:14 begin wider discussion of expedition behavior and group formation (ideas from first episode) and how they relate to feedback and academia
4:52 example of group development stages and expedition behavior
8:27 when to “break the rules” (they’re more like guidelines) on the principles of feedback we’ve discussed
10:41 4 Cs of conflict resolution
11:26 connect and expand on ideas from second and third episodes
23:26 host reflection on podcast process and lessons
24:57 infographic overview
Boxes: 1) Tone 2) Space 3) timeliness 4) peer feedback 5) power dynamics 6) take the nuggets
Acronyms: VOEmP (Vent Own Empathize Plan); SMART (Specific Measurable Ambitious Realistic Timing)
32:43 wrap up and special thanks
Questions or comments? Email us at academicexpeditionpodcast@gmail.com
Episode 3: Communication, feedback, and power dynamics: an interview with Sidney Woodruff (UC Davis Ecology)
In the third episode of the podcast we interview Sidney Woodruff, a UC Davis Ecology graduate student and mentor for MUSE (Mentorship for Underrepresented STEM Enthusiasts). Main takeaways from this episode include how feedback is essential for field safety; the importance of soliciting feedback from junior people; how power dynamics and academic culture can facilitate feedback that is destructive rather than constructive; and how creating structures for timely feedback can facilitate growth.
0:00 introductions and recap
5:10 what roles does feedback play in the outdoors and in academia?
7:58 barriers to giving feedback in academia
11:58 experiences and advice for folks with marginalized and intersectional identities navigating power dynamics
21:25 experience as a mentor: advice for establishing strong patterns of communication and feedback in mentor/mentee relationships
27:38 closing comments and wrap up, with some discussion on the role of humility in the role of receiving feedback
Questions or feedback? Email us at academicexpeditionpodcast@gmail.com
Episode 2: Feedback, academia, and conflict: an interview with Mark Holton (Cornell Outdoor Education)
In the second episode of the podcast we interview Mark Holton, the co-director of Cornell Outdoor Education. With Mark, we discuss how feedback is a mechanism for growth. We also discuss how to handle giving feedback around conflict - giving feedback early and often to avoid conflict - and managing conflict resolution. Mark emphasizes the value of obtaining feedback from peers, and lays out some systems to make feedback work better in academia.
- 0:00 introduce hosts and review episode 1
- 0:42 introduce Mark Holton
- 3:14 question 1: role of feedback in outdoor Ed and academia
- 10:59 how do you teach feedback?
- 14:36 how do you time feedback?
- 18:27 feedback to avoid and resolve conflict
- 21:22 what would you have done differently in grad school with communication skills from outdoor Ed?
- 25:53 one lesson from outdoor Ed for all academics
Next episode we’ll talk with Sidney Woodruff from UC Davis Ecology!
Questions or feedback? Email us at academicexpeditionpodcast@gmail.com
Episode 1: Introduction to feedback and the academic expedition
This introduction episode introduces listeners to principles of communication and feedback to establish a common language and toolkit moving into the remainder of the episodes. We cover the SMART acronym as a template for giving feedback (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timing), as well as using I statements and praise sandwiches. We emphasize the importance of tone and being solution oriented when giving and receiving feedback. We also discuss some principles for resolving conflict, particularly the VOEmP acronym (Vent, Own, Empathize, Plan).
- 0:00 Hosts intro
- 6:46 starts our topics introduction - relevance
- 12:04 for basics of feedback
Here's a link to the NOLS slides we reference
Questions or feedback? Email us at academicexpeditionpodcast@gmail.com