Building the 'How' of Science: A MonksHillLab Skill Development Session Series for Early-Career Researchers

This living document provides a framework for skill development sessions for early-career researchers (ECR). The sessions focus on competencies in communication, problem-solving, and project ownership within academic research. Each session is based on "Engagement Starter Tasks"—practical scenarios that simulate research challenges. Each starter task is followed by a debrief that introduces a conceptual framework for direct application. The sessions are organized into the following structure:

Part I: General Research Competencies (The Foundation)

  -  Session 1: Expectations – Defines collaborative partnerships between researchers and mentors.

  -  Session 2: Work Organization – Equips ECRs with a strategic framework to transform overwhelming workloads into proactive control.

  -  Session 3: Supervisory Meetings – Outlines a structured approach for effective research discussions.

  -  Session 4: Experiment Planning – Outlines importance of propper planning of experiments.

Part II: Scientific Dissemination (The Output)

 -   Session 1: Scientific Writing – Outlines the core need for unambiguous, clear scientific communication.

 -   Session 2 Scientific Figures – Focuses on creating clear, self-explanatory, and visually coherent figures.

 -   Session 3: Scientific Poster Presentation – Redefines the poster as a strategic "hook" rather than a data dump.

 -   Session 4: Scientific Presentations – Provides skills to move from rushed slide-making to intentional design and audience impact.

 -   Session 5: Thesis Brackets Writing – Uses "Paper Roulette" to demonstrate how to synthesize a cumulative thesis into an integrated narrative.

 -   Session 6: Research Proposal Writing – Uses a "coffee machine" simulation to align research ideas with funder motivations.

Part III: WG Specifics & Technical Deep-Dives (The Environment)

 -   Session 1: GHG Flux Calculation – Uses a hands-on "trap-and-reveal" exercise to show why flux calculation requires standardized, long-time tested algorithms. 

 -   Session 2: GHG Flux Gap Filling– Uses a hands-on "trap-and-reveal" exercise to show why flux gap-filling requires standardized, long-time tested algorithms. 

The living document is updated periodically. Future versions will include sessions on a team retreat and answer reviewer comments.