Faculty Link Forums

Faculty Link forums are designed to bring together faculty from across campus to discuss various elements of the faculty experience in an open discussion. Our faculty co-leads will host the forum and prompt faculty Core Advisor panelists to share their experiences, insights, and tips relating to the forum topic. We encourage attendees to join the discussion and share their own questions, ideas, and expertise. Please register in advance to attend. 

Please note: The forums are currently limited to senate faculty members, adjunct faculty, clinical faculty, and cooperative extension specialists.

Participant feedback:

"Even though I didn't know many of the faculty, I immediately felt like I was part of a community. The expertise of the panelists and their diverse perspectives was also quite helpful."

"Just having a space to share and see other faculty who are looking for a sense of connection and meaning was wonderful."

“Wonderful tone, very full participation among presenters and attendees, substantive advice received”

Spring 2024 Forums

All forums will be held on campus on Thursdays from 11:45am - 1:30pm, with the forum discussion beginning at noon. Lunch will be provided. 

If you require an accommodation for effective communication (ASL interpreting/CART captioning, alternative media formats, etc.) or information about campus mobility access features in order to fully participate in this event, please contact Emily Bryant at ebryant@berkeley.edu with as much advance notice as possible and at least 7-10 days in advance of the event.

March 7th

Maximizing research excellence through inclusive lab environments 

Research indicates that inclusivity – that is, practices that help ensure the success of every member on the research team – is an important factor in innovation, research, and positive trainee outcomes. Given the evolving landscape of graduate training, the time is ripe to have (or, for many of us, to re-visit) a conversation about this topic. In this Forum, we’ll discuss concrete, evidence-based strategies (e.g., providing explicit structure in training helps reveal the hidden curriculum) in designing laboratory and other research spaces for maximal inclusion, belonging, and excellence. Other topics will include promoting and being accountable for successful laboratory practices and collaboration; mentoring and supporting the advancement and professional development of all students and postdocs; ensuring that all research group members have awareness of and access to resources and opportunities; and more. 

This forum is for those who are just starting out or looking for new ideas – bring your questions! – as well as for those who may have examples of strategies that have worked well (or not so well) to share with others! 


Faculty Panelists:

  • Karen Nakamura, Anthropology
  • Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton, Psychology
  • Matthew Welch, Molecular & Cell Biology

February 15th

Revealing and discussing the “hidden curriculum” for recently tenured associate professors

Earning tenure and promotion is an exciting and gratifying culmination of many years of effort. The initial post-tenure period can sometimes be a time of uncertainty about what goals to aim for next, and what to prioritize. Faculty at this stage may feel like there is a hidden curriculum, or that they are in a small minority with their questions, concerns, and/or struggles. We invite you to join us for a discussion about career success and satisfaction for recently tenured associate professors. We will consider what strategies have served you well up until now and what new tools might best support you in this next phase of your career. For example, we’ll talk about why intentionally creating and cultivating institutional literacy is beneficial; seeing tenure and promotion as a tool that enables you to do other, new things; developing your acumen for managing increasing service expectations; considering any internal narratives that might be getting in your way; and using merit reviews productively.

Faculty Panelists:

  • Kris Gutierrez, Education
  • Chung-Pei Ma, Astronomy/Physics
  • Benjamin Recht, Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Past Forums

Fall 2023

  • I Need Money: Uncovering Strategies for Getting Funding

  • Finding your people: Strategies for building valuable new connections across the faculty career

Spring 2023

  • Capstones and Consolidation: Thriving Creatively in Later Career

  • Empirical Work for the Public Good: Strategies for community-engaged research

  • Publishing for Broad, Non-Academic Audiences

Fall 2022

  • Telling your Story: Making your best case for merits and promotion

  • From Service to Opportunity: Using department, campus, and professional service to support your career goals

Spring 2022

  • What is the "new normal"?
  • Writing the second book: Getting started, getting finished, and everything that happens in between
  • Cultivating corporate or philanthropic funding for your research

Fall 2021

  • What’s my identity?: What do you want to be known for and how do you shape your professional identity
  • Mentorship as a community of practice
  • #$^%*! Now what?? Dealing with rejection in the academy

Spring 2021

  • Finding balance? The gift and the curse of a flexible faculty life
  • Pivoting or pirouetting: Starting a new research project or changing your research course at any point in your career
  • How Does This Campus Actually Work? Demystifying how and where things get done so you can be most successful

Fall 2020

  • Taking Care of the Flock (and Yourself): Mentoring in the time of Covid
  • Navigating Choppy Waters: Promoting healthy relationships with department colleagues

Spring 2020

  • I Need Money: Overcoming Hurdles to Getting Grants
  • Is my summer a total wash?!?! Strategies for maintaining productivity, catching up, or just staying afloat over the summer