Biostatistics Department Awards

To boost morale, recognize outstanding work, and encourage innovation, I believe we should create a few annual rewards recognizing outstanding reports, collaborative and methods publications, and teaching. We could stagger the rewards throughout the year, or they could all be presented together in an All-Department meeting. One suggestion is to give them out at the end of each academic calendar year (around May). Prizes can be small: Frank suggested a $200 gift card. In these hard times (i.e., given that we’re broke), I think even a $50 gift card is acceptable – the important part to me is the recognition. Each of the rewards are described below:

Linda Stewart Applied Analysis Report Contest

This was awarded to Meridith Blevins in December 2012. I think we should keep this reward on an annual basis. I’m not sure who organized this and who were the judges – it seems like it was well-done, and I’d recommend we keep it as it currently is, but make sure we do it each year. I believe only staff statisticians are eligible – which is fine. I favor continuing to call it the Linda Stewart award, as it recognizes one of our former great employees. However, it’d probably be best to make sure she’s OK with us still using her name.

Judging: A small committee would judge applications. A judge is not eligible for submission. The committee could consist of at least 1 faculty and the previous year’s winner.

Collaborative Publication Award

This award is given out annually to recognize an exceptional collaborative publication with significant biostatistics involvement. All faculty, staff, and students in the department are eligible. Co-authorship in the publication is an obvious requirement. Judging will be based on the following broad criteria:
  1. Scientific influence: The paper’s impact on the relevant medical field or on health broadly.
  2. Biostatistical contribution: The rigor and innovation of the statistical methods. The import of the statistical analysis to the manuscript and conclusions.
To be eligible for the reward, the paper must have been published in the preceding calendar year (in press does not count). Interested candidates must send a copy of their paper plus a not-more-than 1-page description of the paper and why it satisfies the criteria given above. Joint applications are encouraged (i.e., 2 or more biostatisticians who worked together on the paper applying for the award together). Only one application is allowed per person.

Judging: A small committee would judge applications. A judge is not eligible for submission. The committee could consist of 2 faculty, 1 staff, and the previous year’s winner.

Methods Publication Award

This award is given out annually to recognize an exceptional methodological publication. All faculty, staff, and students in the department are eligible. Judging will be based on the following broad criteria:
  1. Impact to the statistical community
  2. Impact to health sciences
To be eligible for the reward, the paper must have been published in the preceding calendar year (in press does not count). Interested candidates must send a copy of their paper plus a not-more-than 1-page description of the paper and why it satisfies the criteria given above. Joint applications are encouraged (i.e., 2 or more biostatisticians who worked together on the paper applying for the award together).

Judging: A small committee would judge applications. A judge is not eligible for submission. The committee could consist of 2 faculty, 1 staff, and the previous year’s winner.

Teaching Award - Within the Department

This award is given out annually to recognize exceptional teaching in the Biostatistics graduate program. It is based on student evaluations and feedback from students.

Judging: The graduate program director, another faculty member, and an advanced student (third year or beyond) will form the committee. Members of the committee are not eligible for the award.

DWB: I think that all of the students in the Graduate Program should decide who the best teacher is. This is how it is done in the MSCI program.

MAD: Agree with DWB. May also consider teacher evaluations and letters of support

Teaching Award - Outside the Department

This award is given out annually to recognize exceptional teaching in the MSCI and MPH programs by faculty from the Department of Biostatistics. The MSCI and MPH students vote on this based on a REDCap survey.

MAD: Good idea, I'm just wondering if there are enough teachers teaching in those programs? If we consider teacher evaluations and/or (a) letters of support, you may be able to combine the teaching award.

Comments

BES: I think the first 3 awards should be self-nominating, the teaching award just chosen by the committee.

Meridith: I think the publication awards could be seperated across faculty, staff and student to increase the potential for recognition (we have a large deparatment). Also, I agree that a large dollar amount is not necessary as the recognition is very nice for esteem and CV.

To do list:

Decide on the award timing.

Decide on the budget.

Also consider best teaching in the CRC Research Skills Workshop series.

Decide on the awards (gift cards, trophies, an office with a window, etc.)

The apple trophies are very nice:

http://www.masterteacher.com/Online-Store/Apples-Bells/Apple-Crimson-Gold

This is a local trophy store that will customize the trophies:

http://www.trophyhouse.com/Trophy_House/Home.html

Student awards would also be good.

Jeffrey:

I think this is a good idea. Here are some suggestions:

1) Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching (one per year; students to decide)

For recognizing excellence in teaching and commitment to student learning.

2) Exceptional TA Award (no limit, must be nominated by students and faculty)

For recognizing outstanding teaching, dedication, and effort in TA duties.

3) Distinguished Advising and Mentoring Award (no limit, must be nominated by at least 2 students)

For recognizing dedicated and distinguished advising, mentoring of students.

4) Exemplar Dissertation or Thesis Award (no limit, but be nominated by faculty)

For recognizing exemplary dissertations or theses.

5) Commodore Student Award

For recognizing a student’s exceptional contribution to the graduate program and the department

Some links that may be of interest:

http://statistics.berkeley.edu/awards/student-departmental

http://sph.unc.edu/bios/awards-and-funding/

http://www.jhsph.edu/departments/biostatistics/about-us/honors-and-awards/

Frank: Those are great ideas Jeffrey. I do think that we may want to limit the total number of awards, counting faculty and staff awards -- perhaps to 6 (?).

Bryan: UW had a top score on qualifying exams award and a "Senior Student Award," which was kind of a combination of Jeffrey's #4 and #5. Of Jeffrey's suggestions, my personal preference would be to have #1 (outstanding teacher), #2 (outstanding TA), and a "Senior Student Award".

-- BryanShepherd - 14 Mar 2014
Topic revision: r10 - 10 Sep 2014, MarioDavidson
 

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