This Week’s Events:
0. Ongoing Services – updated 12/6/21
1. CONFLICT COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP (Encore Presentation): GET UNSTUCK – HOW TO STOP TALKING PAST EACH OTHER AND START TALKING WITH ONE ANOTHER
2. SOE DOCTORAL STUDENTS’ HOLIDAY PARTY
3. MAINTAINING WELLNESS IN THE GRADUATE SCHOOL RACE CONNECT EVENT
4. GLC CAFÉ: BOOK SWAP
Administrative Announcements:
5. RESEARCH TOOLS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS SERIES – 1st posting
6. DR. RICH CAP & GOWN RENTAL PROGRAM (UNTIL DEC 13) – 2nd posting
7. GRAD 5124 – LIBRARY RESEARCH SKILLS (CRN 16007) – REGISTER NOW! – 2nd posting
8. ART FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (AEJ) – SEEKING MEMBERS – 2nd posting
Jobs:
9. GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP OPPORTUNITY IN CONTROLLER’S OFFICE FOR SPRING 2022- 1st posting
Volunteers and research participants sought:
10. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR INTERVIEW STUDY: TECHNOLOGY-MEDIATED RECREATION – HABITS AND PERSPECTIVES BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER COVID-19 – 1st posting
11. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR BEHAVIORAL STUDIES ON COLLABORATIVE ONLINE CONTENT AUTHORING – 1st posting
12. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A PROSOCIAL/HELPING BEHAVIOR STUDY – 2nd posting
13. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR USER STUDY ON SHAPES AND SOUNDS – 2nd posting
14. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR VIRTUAL REALITY RESEARCH USER STUDY – 2nd posting
15. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR SHOE PANEL MATERIALIZATION STUDY – 2nd posting
Upcoming Events:
16. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND MET-ANALYSIS DEEP DIVE WORKSHOP – January 10-13
17. SAVE THE DATE: TIMBERBEAST SPORTS COMPETITION – February 26
0. Ongoing Services – updated 12/6/21
- GRADUATE SCHOOL: In person drop-off or pick-up of documents and materials M-F 9:00-4:00pm, 120 GLC. Request one-on-one assistantship or academic advising by using our online request form to set-up a Zoom session or come by during our office hours.
- CAREER ADVISING: schedule career advising appointment via https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html ; In-person drop-in advising every Wednesday, 2-4pm in the Graduate School (120 GLC). NOTE: Career Advising has ended for the semester and will resume in the spring semester.
- COOK COUNSELING: Drop-in Zoom hours, Tuesdays 10am-12pm and Thursdays and Fridays 3pm-5pm, Zoom links found here. To make an appointment, visit: https://vt-ucc.titaniumhwc.com/ScheduleGraduateFirstCookConnect (Students must pay the summer health fee or daily use fee which can be reimbursed through Aetna. Students must be in Virginia)
- WRITING CENTER SERVICES: Schedule an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com/
- GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON: contact for appointment at gradstudentombud@vt.edu, 540-231-9573
1. CONFLICT COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP (Encore Presentation): GET UNSTUCK – HOW TO STOP TALKING PAST EACH OTHER AND START TALKING WITH ONE ANOTHER
Tuesday, December 14, 3:30pm, Zoom, Register here: https://bit.ly/Conflictseminar
The end of the semester is here and it is the perfect time to reflect on how well we are communicating in our working relationships. The Graduate School’s Ombuds Office is bringing back Robert Polanco for an encore presentation of this seminar aimed at providing concrete skills to overcome the hesitancy to engage in those important conversations that you may have put off. Communication leads to understanding, understanding leads to collaboration, and collaboration leads to respect. The major challenge to respect is obstructed communication. To meet this challenge, the following questions need to be answered: What are the underlying reasons for obstructed communication, what are some examples of obstructed communication, and what can be done to either preempt or remove obstructions. Join us to explore these questions and set you up for success as you continue your graduate education. Register here: https://bit.ly/Conflictseminar
2. SOE DOCTORAL STUDENTS’ HOLIDAY PARTY
Tuesday, December 14, 7pm, Blacksburg Wine Lab, 223 Gilbert St. Blacksburg
We have a large table reserved so come and join us as we bring the Fall semester to a celebratory conclusion! This form is not a requirement to attend, but it will help us get a more accurate headcount: https://forms.gle/t4DGsEM4LiAsA16H7 For some added fun, we will be doing a white elephant gift exchange. If you wish to participate in the game, please bring a gift valued at around $10. The gift could be anything serious or silly! If you bring a gift, you will leave with one as well. Please let Rene Hernandez (rhernandez@vt.edu) or Lauren May (laurenmay@vt.edu) know if you have any questions. We hope to see you all there!
3. MAINTAINING WELLNESS IN THE GRADUATE SCHOOL RACE CONNECT EVENT
Wednesday, December 15, 3pm-4:30pm, GLC Room F
Join us to learn wellness tips as well as ways to stay connected and healthy over the winter break. Special appearance by Cook Counseling Center and the VT Therapy Dogs. Refreshments will be served. RSVP at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b8xkDic3E4uJvlc. Questions, email ordi@vt.edu
4. GLC CAFÉ: BOOK SWAP
Thursday, December 16, 3:30-5pm, GLC Reading RoomEnjoy coffee, tea, cookies and conversations with other graduate students and Graduate School staff. Bring your own mug if you can! This week we will have a books swap – bring a book, take a book. There are plenty of books to choose from in the Reading Room as well. The GLC Café occurs every Thursday and the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, from 3:30-5pm.
5. RESEARCH TOOLS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS SERIES – 1st posting
There’s a lot to learn in graduate school, and the library can help! This spring, the library will offer a series of free instruction sessions (offered live via Zoom) to help you develop the research skills you need to succeed in graduate school. Learn about literature reviews and database searching, citation management, data management, and more. For registration links and detailed information about each session, visit guides.lib.vt.edu/gradworkshops.
6. DR. RICH CAP & GOWN RENTAL PROGRAM (UNTIL DEC 13) – 2nd posting
Graduating soon? Daunted by having to purchase a cap and gown to participate in commencement? Never fear: the Graduate Student Assembly’s “Dr. Rich” Cap and Gown Program (named for GPSS’s previous director of finance, Richard Rodrigues, who began the program) will loan a limited number of graduation gowns and caps to graduate students participating in the Fall 2021 graduation ceremonies. Program details are available on the GPSS website and you can apply to the lotto via this survey. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqKKX2B4bzXGRQkyMI610aJ9nDnVb0q2uzE24YacUOSwARXw/viewform?usp=sf_link Posted on behalf of the GPSS.
7. GRAD 5124 – LIBRARY RESEARCH SKILLS (CRN 16007) – REGISTER NOW! – 2nd posting
GRAD 5124 is an online, Health Sciences / Biomedical section of this elective 1-credit course on offer this Spring 2022. You are welcome to join regardless of your disciplinary or degree focus; however, you will get the most out of it if you have a research interest related to health or biomedical sciences. This course is designed to increase successful completion of comprehensive literature reviews and project proposals. Identify key information sources, use advanced searching skills and citation management tools, and explore important research planning topics such as building professional identity, evidence-based practice, data management, sharing research results, and authorship. Feel free to reach out to Ginny Pannabecker, vpannabe@vt.edu with any questions you have about the course.
8. ART FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (AEJ) – SEEKING MEMBERS – 2nd posting
We are a group of scientists, artists, and beyond, using art to amplify the voices of those disproportionately impacted by climate change. For more information about AEJ, you can check out our GoblerConnect page (https://gobblerconnect.vt.edu/organization/na). Also, if you are interested in participating in this organization or just getting updates about our events, please fill out this google form. (https://forms.gle/zt4xuCNcmfJpU2kr9) For questions, please contact Ali Namayandeh (anamayandeh@vt.edu).
9. GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP OPPORTUNITY IN CONTROLLER’S OFFICE FOR SPRING 2022- 1st posting
The Controller’s Office is seeking a full-time (20-hour week) Graduate Assistant (GA) for the 2022 spring semester. The GA will work on-site in the North End Center office complex located in Blacksburg, VA. The successful applicant will collect data about current accounting operation procedures, outputs, and metrics to develop a baseline on our processes; analyze the process and propose suggestions to eliminate barriers, unnecessary workflows, and duplicative and/or redundant efforts; and assist in implementing improvements. Applicants must be graduate students in business or computer engineering. More information can be found here.
10. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR INTERVIEW STUDY: TECHNOLOGY-MEDIATED RECREATION – HABITS AND PERSPECTIVES BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER COVID-19 – 1st posting
This study aims to learn about individual strategies, habits, and perspectives, with respect to using technology, to maintain connections with nature and loved ones, before, during, and after COVID-19. Individuals who are interested in participating in this study will be asked to complete a screener to determine their eligibility. If eligible you will be asked to provide consent and indicate your preferred day(s) and time(s) for participating in the interview. The interview study takes between 45 minutes to 60 minutes to be completed and will be conducted via Zoom. Only people 18-years and older and capable of providing consent are eligible to participate in the study. No risks are associated with participating in this study. If you agree to take part in this research study, we will reimburse you $10 in total for your time and effort. This study was reviewed by the VT IRB under protocol IRB-20-318. For more information, please email Derek Haqq at dhaqq@vt.edu
11. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR BEHAVIORAL STUDIES ON COLLABORATIVE ONLINE CONTENT AUTHORING – 1st posting
The Echo Lab at Virginia Tech is seeking individuals to participate in a collaborative writing (e.g., academic papers, project reports) study through which we aim to investigate the communication occurring between collaborators. Participants must be 18 years and older, can fill out a survey in English, uses online services, has written collaboratively with others, and can participate in the study across multiple sessions. Depending on the role assigned to you by the researchers, your duration of participation and compensation will change. For one role, duration be up to 240 minutes total: this includes a pre-survey, writing up two essay drafts, finalizing two essays, and filling out surveys after finalizing each essay. Participants in this role will be compensated with an electronic gift card of $50 after participating in the full study, and will have an opportunity to be paid a bonus of $100 if their essay is chosen as the winning essay. For another role, duration will be up to 140 minutes total: this includes a pre-survey, collaborating on two essays, and filling out surveys after collaborating on each essay. Participants in this role will be compensated with an electronic gift card of $20 after participating in the full study, and will have an opportunity to be paid a bonus of $50 if their essay is chosen as the winning essay. To participate in the study, please fill out this form.
12. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A PROSOCIAL/HELPING BEHAVIOR STUDY – 2nd posting
Participants are needed for a study (IRB #21-328) on colleague/peer interactions. Because peer mentoring and helping others is so valuable in graduate programs, graduate students are a great context to study these phenomena. Some of you might have helped me with a mentoring study last year; this is similar to that. I am looking to learn about generativity and prosocial behavior in the workplace. I would like to ask you to complete a survey that should take about 20 minutes. The Qualtrics link to the only survey in this Virginia Tech research study is included below. You are eligible if you are a student working/studying with peers in your program. Please note that your participation is voluntary and confidential. I understand the end of the semester can be busy; your experience is really valuable and your insight is really important! For more information about the study, please contact Ryan Musselman at musselman@vt.edu. Here is the survey: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9ueUyw41QsQUVb8.
13. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR USER STUDY ON SHAPES AND SOUNDS – 2nd posting
Participants are needed to test an audiovisual system that converts elementary visual shapes into sounds, in a user study (Virginia Tech IRB #21-097) to collect data that will help examine what the ideal sound for each shape and movement will be and whether the system can provide multi-modal user experience. Participants will listen to the sounds and provide answers to multiple-choice questions and subjective questions regarding whether or not sonification reasonably depicts the shapes, and the user’s overall experience. This study is designed to provide a fun multi-sensory experience. Participants must beabove 18 years old and have normal hearing and vision, and headphones is welcome to participate. You can sign up for this user test here: Appointment Calendar. The test will be held over Zoom and questions will be given via Qualtrics XM, an online survey platform. Both links will be provided after the test session is scheduled. The approximate time required to complete this assessment will be 50-60 minutes. A $10 Amazon gift card will be given at the end of successful completion of the assessment. If you have any questions about this research, contact Woohun Joo at joowh@vt.edu.
14. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR VIRTUAL REALITY RESEARCH USER STUDY – 2nd posting
The 3D Interaction (3DI) group at Virginia Tech is inviting you to participate in a research study with virtual reality (VR) technologies (IRB#21-836). Our team is investigating the best ways to interact with clusters in VR, and this study compares various methods of cluster interaction with virtual data and information. The study will make use of state-of-the-art VR technologies such as the Varjo XR-3. The entire experimental session will take 60 minutes. Participants need to be at least 18 years old, and have normal vision (or corrected vision with contact lens). Upon completion, participants will be awarded with a $15 Amazon e-gift card. Participation will be on a first come first serve basis. For more information, please contact Ibrahim Tahmid at iatahmid@vt.edu.
15. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR SHOE PANEL MATERIALIZATION STUDY – 2nd posting
The Granata Biomechanics Lab at Virginia Tech is recruiting participants between the ages of 18 and 35 for a biomechanics research study (protocol number 21-678). Study participation will only involve a single visit lasting approximately 1 hour. The study aims to biomechanical differences between shoes with differing panel materialization. Participants will complete questionnaires and three rounds of four agility tasks. Eligible participants will wear either a men’s shoe size 10 or a female size 8, exercise at least three times a week for 30 minutes a day, participate in sports involving running and change of direction, will have had no lower extremity injuries in the last two months that has limited physical activity for more than two days. If you would like more information about the study, please contact Adam Luftglass at adluft@vt.edu or (571) 765-0109
16. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND MET-ANALYSIS DEEP DIVE WORKSHOP
Monday, January 10-Thursday, January 13, 10am-3pm, Zoom or Newman Library 101S
This workshop will walk participants through the major steps required for a systematic review (and meta-analysis) underscored by hands-on activities that allow participants to practice relevant skills and consider the many decisions that must be made for their own reviews. For more information and to register, visit: calendar.lib.vt.edu/calendar/events/SRMAdeepdiveWinter2022
17. SAVE THE DATE: TIMBERBEAST SPORTS COMPETITION
Saturday, February 26, 2022 8am-5:30pm
Timberbeast is a sports competition that showcases Virginia Tech and surrounding colleges/universities in both technical and physical outdoor events! Admission is free and open to the public! Come for events such as archery, axe throwing, crosscut, and more! A raffle giveaway for STIHL Equipment, will be offered with proceeds benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network through Log-A-Load. Sponsored by The Forestry Club at Virginia Tech. Questions? Contact Ryane Cronk, Graduate Ambassador at rlcronk06@vt.edu.