Middle of Semester Research Adviser Responsibilities
Below in each heading are specific tasks with a description of what each task entails.
Keep Track of Progress
Each research team has specific goals and deadlines during the semester. Some of these goals are pressing and have to be completed by the end of the semester. Other goals are less concrete, but still require that each team makes progress in their given research area. Ensure that each team is kept aware of expectations of them and new expectations that arise.
Other housekeeping items in this category include: checking the calendar and the meeting minutes week to week, and holding weekly meetings with each research team to be apprised of ongoing progress.
Big Picture
It is also your role as Research Adviser to ensure that student groups are thinking about the big picture in conducting research. Problems may arise on teams and teams may not think that they have the adequate resources to deal with these issues. It is your role to be a motivating force and provide the resources to each team to get over these hurdles.
Communication
Try to keep adequate communication between the Design Leader, Monroe and the Team Leader so that the research stays on task and relevant.
Encourage Collaboration
Some of the research teams may overlap semester to semester. It is important to encourage collaboration between the different teams especially when research one team is conducting may be beneficial to another.
Midterm Wiki
Browse through midterm wiki pages before they are due and try to give helpful comments to teams about how to improve these pages. On these pages be especially aware of technical content and how closely the team connects to the overall larger picture.
Teach-In
Provide help for teach-in presentations if and when a team asks for help. Closely review the teach-in presentations in class to assure that each research team understands the content and technical nature of their research. Provide feedback on how each research team did after the presentation.