Christine Geith, Ph.D. Assistant Provost & Executive Director of MSUglobal

Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan USANUTN Network 31st Annual Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico, September 17, 2013

Student Translational Scholars

About MSU

• U.S. Land-Grant University• Research 1• Top 100 World Ranking• Research - $477 million in 2012–13• 49,000 students (10,000 graduate)• 5,000 faculty/academic staff• 17 colleges

• Launched in 2000• MSUglobal is an academic unit in the Office of the Provost

reporting to the Graduate School

We co-create with academic units to: • increase off-campus revenue through business models and

products that use technology and innovative learning concepts

• enhance their research agenda through use of knowledge networks and other tools

• establish their reputation as the “go-to” place in their field

About MSUglobal.msu.edu

Michigan State

University of Nebraska

Iowa State

University of Minnesota

Knowledge Collaboration

http://myhorseuniversity.com/

My Horse University

Knowledge Sharing Platform

http://knowledgenetwork.alumni.msu

.edu/

Alumni Association Knowledge Network

Industry-AlignedCapacity-Building PlatformOpen Content

Food Safety Knowledge Network

Knowledge Creation Platformhttp://metroagcourse.com

Detroit Food Plus & Innoversity

Open Resources

Programs

Research

Product Suite Model

Knowledge Collections

Scholarship

Learning & Teaching

Impact on Challenges

Translational Scholar Model

Student Action

Research and Knowledge

Outputs

Open Resources

Programs

Research

Integrating the two models

Knowledge Collections

Scholarship

Learning & Teaching

Impact on Challenges

Student Action Research and

Knowledge Outputs

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Translational Scholars

10 September 2013

• change agents• conduct research• create open knowledge

A New Role for Students in Research at MSU

12

Open Knowledge

10 September 2013

• facilitate OER adoption• create open data and open research• create OER

Integrating Open Educational Resources (OER) into Research

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Knowledge Products

10 September 2013

• publishable research (thesis or contribution to a paper)

• teaching case or example, including open data, in print or video designed for use in a specific curriculum

• training or information materials for the community or setting in which they are doing their research

Outputs of Research Project/Internship

• Offer support to students throughout process– Training for creation and dissemination of OER– Curation tools and processes– Speakers series– Technology support at MSU

• Competency development• Knowledge platform

MSUglobal Support

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• The AgShare project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is working to scale up the AgShare Method of Translational Scholars by embedding the model in their participatory action research teams.

OERafrica.org/AgShare

The AgShare Method

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• AgShare Phase I was piloted during 2010-2012 at four African universities in three countries: • Makerere University, Uganda• Haramaya University, Ethiopia• Moi University, Kenya • United States International University, Kenya

• AgShare Phase II is embedding the AgShare Translational Scholar method into RUFORUM shared degree programs and research teams.

The AgShare Method

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• Students’ capacity to conduct meaningful, high quality independent research in the research component of the master’s degree

• More relevant and effective student learning in the coursework component of the master’s degree

The AgShare Method Impact

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• The way in which academic university staff now conceptualize their role as teachers and researchers

• Farmers’ practices that lead to improved quality and productivity, and that position them to begin moving away from subsistence farming

The AgShare Method Impact

Global Center for Food Systems Innovation

Translational Scholar Competencies

• Knowledge• Communication• Entrepreneurial Skills• Communication & Relationship Management• Leadership• Career & Professional Development• Open Educational Resources• Research Development & Integrity

• Background in domains• Knowledge of the local contexts and conditions• Ability to identify best practices and unmet needs• Basic research skills i.e. to define an issue, build hypothesis, state

questions, implement a study, analyze data, and interpret findings• Ability and skills to work in cross-disciplinary, multicultural and

multigenerational teams. • Access to Internet and technology literacy including capability to use

cell phones to collect data• Comfortable working in rural communities abroad• Well versed in participatory research methods to ensure ownership of

solutions by local communities and sustainability of solutions • To find mentors and others who may help connect with partners• Interpersonal skills to communicate with other researchers, faculty

members, students, farmers, communities and policymakers.

Knowledge

• Basic audio/video/ graphic visualization/ writing, and editing skills• Utilize technology and media to network, connect, and spread the work

of the GCFSI • Identify and create materials for a specific target audience• Awareness of cultural differences impacting effective communication• Use Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Publisher or similar software products• Good verbal and written communication skills across all levels• Journalistic skills such as the ability to tell a good story• Ability to curate content• Good interview skills• Ability to use social media, such as Facebook, twitter, and other forums

to connect with the larger community • Ability to simplify the faculty language and develop straightforward

message

Communication

• Identifies and takes action to address problems and opportunities

• Demonstrates resilience when faced with challenges and obstacles

• Generates commitment and enthusiasm from others to set and achieve challenging objectives

• Demonstrates the ability to complete even unfamiliar tasks by adapting and utilizing previously gained knowledge

Entrepreneurial Skills

• Provides necessary information and resources for TSC to accomplish their goals • Actively listens and asks questions to confirm understanding and avoid

miscommunication• Provides psychological support as needed• Notices and shows appreciation when expected results and behaviors are

realized• Shows enthusiasm for mission, goals, and objectives• Effective verbal and written communication skills • Adapts message, style, tone to accommodate a variety of audiences• Encourages an open exchange of ideas and different points of view• Openly addresses conflicts as they arise to ensure other team members are

able to meet commitments successfully and maintain strong relationships• Takes a problem-solving approach to conflict and generates multiple practical

solutions to problems, focuses on the needs of all parties and generally reaches agreements with win-win outcomes

Communication & Relationship Management

• Directing group activities towards accomplishment of stated mission/goals• Mentoring others by providing guidance on a variety of issues, • situations, and work processes• Empowering others by being open to ideas and suggestions from all team members and

supportive of their efforts • Effective project management by focusing attention on the critical few priorities; executing

against project timelines based on priorities, resource availability, and other project requirements

• Leading by example by walking the talk and exemplifying the TSC core values• Embraces ambiguity by modeling flexibility, adaptability, and patience because not everything

goes as planned and the course of action is not always clear• Develops effective and viable solutions to problems• Generates support for change initiatives and consistently gains active involvement of relevant

stakeholders• Fosters an environment of continuous improvement by exploring opportunities for enhancing,

revising or modifying existing standards and processes• Establishes metrics for measuring and tracking outcomes• Humility – when something goes wrong and there is blame to be placed, the leader must be

the first to accept it; when accolades are appropriate, they should be spread among the team

Leadership Skills

• Routinely provides meaningful performance feedback to TSCs

• Actively coaches individuals and teams to strengthen performance

• Openly shares knowledge with peers • Engages in learning opportunities to further

develop skills and abilities and encourages others to do the same

Career & Professional Development

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Examples

• AgShare• Global Center for

Food Systems Innovation

• Human Resources• One-Health

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Thank You!

Christine Geith, Ph.D.Assistant Provost & Executive Director, MSUglobal

Email: geith@msu.eduMSUglobal.msu.edu

@christinegeith