F7 - Basic Science Seminars: Moving From Adversarial To Educational

Dr. Carol-Ann Courneya, University of British Columbia

Basic Science departmental seminars generally consist of data-rich, multi slide, Powerpoint talks.   Attendance is often mandatory for graduate students however, students have revealed in focus groups that little actual learning goes on.  In part this is because seminar speakers do not see seminars as a venue for teaching, rather as an opportunity to “showcase their research”.  Another finding from the focus groups was that graduate students, post docs and some junior faculty refer to an “adversarial” culture in seminars where they are reluctant to ask questions for fear of exposing their ignorance.  This establishes an environment which stifles rather than encourages learning. 

This highly interactive session will explore the educational (or adversarial) atmosphere within our own Universities with the aim to establish guidelines for:

a. delivery of Effective, Educational basic science seminars

b. creating a safe environment where graduate students will ask questions

c. establishing a departmental culture of education around basic science seminars