Research Curriculum Development Institute

At-A-Glance

What:  Research Curriculum Development Institute  / Evaluating your Program/Course (optional stand alone full day workshop)

Where:  The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Pyle Center.

When:  June 12th and 13, 2025

Times:  Start at 8:00 AM Thursday, end 4:00 PM Fridaday.

See agenda page for  tentative session schedule 

Cost:  Registration fee is *$2500 per participant and includes all workshop materials, light breakfast, break refreshments and lunch.

Questions:  Contact Julia Vander Meer, CIMER Program Manager, at julia.vandermeer@wisc.edu 

Visit our Registration Page to reserve your spot today! Sign up here to be added to our mailing list to receive notifications about upcoming workshops.  

*pricing is guaranteed through the current fiscal year

Institute Overview

Research Curriculum Development Institute is a two-day (in person) or 5 day online  workshop for undergraduate and graduate research training program directors in STEMM. This workshop is offered by the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) and the Wisconsin Institute for Science Education and Community Engagement (WISCIENCE). Workshop participants develop a custom curriculum for their research trainees, a plan to assess research trainee learning, and skills to facilitate Entering Research activities. 

During the Institute, participants are introduced to the Entering Research curriculum, build a custom curriculum using a backward design approach, learn how to effectively facilitate Entering Research  curricular activities, and learn to use the Entering Research Learning Assessment (ERLA) to assess research trainee learning and development.

The Entering Research curriculum and learning assessment (ERLA) are based on the Entering Research Conceptual Framework, which defines seven areas of trainee development that are grounded in the research literature on factors that impact research trainee success and retention:

• 1. Research Comprehension and Communication Skills

  2. Practical Research Skills

  3. Research Ethics

  4. Researcher Identity

  5. Researcher Confidence and Independence

  6. Equity and Inclusion Awareness and Skills

  7. Professional and Career Development Skills

* Optional evaluation sessions (offered separately periodically): Evaluating your Research Training Course or Program Workshop (additional fee)

When offered, participants can register  for a separate add on workshop on developing research training course or program evaluation plans.  In this workshop, participants will develop an evaluation plan and learn how to work with a professional evaluator. Participants who want to expand or improve an existing evaluation plan are also invited to attend.

What participants say about the Research Curriculum Development Institute:

“Having the opportunity to network with individuals from other universities who are working on similar things was invaluable. The facilitation was great and really helped me think through what I want students in my program to take away from the experience.”

“Super competent and informed facilitators…. The curriculum is so realistic and easy to use. I appreciate all the thought and hard work that has gone into it." 

“The access to the activities is so valuable.  I had been inventing my own "wheel" and to have honed and tested activities to use for these topics is a wonderful resource.”

“The group assembled---both facilitators and participants---was welcoming and eager to work together.  We openly shared ideas and tried to help one another answer questions.”

“At the [Entering Research] workshop,  I was able to connect with people in similar roles as mine and develop a community or network for myself.  Now I know who to contact when I have questions.  Thank you!” 

“This workshop was wonderful, enjoyable, and  has changed the way [I] view curriculum development and assessment. I will be able to use these tools for discipline specific courses well outside the scope of Entering Research. Thank you!”