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NII Working Groups

The Network of Interdisciplinary Initiatives coordinates a series of working groups comprised of faculty, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students and staff to address specific challenges and opportunities for interdisciplinary research, teaching, training, and creative endeavors.  Working groups meet several times per semester to assist in identifying best practices in interdisciplinary inquiry, focus areas for policy and institutional change, and strategies for implementating recommended changes.

Based on NII member feedback, the following areas were identified for initial Working Groups in 2007-2008. In addition to the issues identified below, each Working Group will also explore best (and worst) practices, policies and case studies. Working Groups met several times during 2007-2008 in order to develop recommendations for change in each specific area.  These recommendations were presented and discussed at the NII Spring Assembly on May 6, 2008. These same working groups will continue to meet during 2008-2009 with the goal of developing a plan for implementing the recommendations identified last year.

Collaborative Leadership
Potential issues for discussion include faculty and student mentoring, assessing leadership needs, and engaging those with interdisciplinary interests in the process of institutional transformation.

Community Engagement
Potential issues for discussion include the role of advocacy and community engagement in higher education in the 21st Century, community outreach through interdisciplinary initiatives, and involvement of non-academic experts in interdisciplinary campus activities.

Education and Training
Potential issues for discussion include tuition allocation and graduate student funding, collaborative authorship of theses and dissertations, and sustainability of interdisciplinary graduate programs. Training issues include mechanisms for sustaining the institutional policies, programs and practices promoted by outside funders like the NSF’s IGERT program, and best practices generated by the NII.

Incentives and Rewards
Potential issues for discussion include the incentive and reward system for NII members as employees, professional development of NII members (issues of faculty promotion and tenure, incentives and rewards for P&A staff, staff and graduate student professional development, and post-doc training), and the intellectual and career mobility of NII members.

Interdisciplinary Research Centers and Institutes
Potential issues for discussion include sustainability of funding and implementation of ICR, center administration, space, and issues related to faculty affiliated with interdisciplinary centers.