Affinity Research Groups (ARG) aka How to Be a Better Team

1. Affinity Research Groups (ARG)aka How to Be a Better Team Stephen Gilbert SPIRE-EIT 2019

2. Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset SPIRE-EIT 2019

3. Brain Plasticity SPIRE-EIT 2019

4. The Brain Changes with Learning It’s like a muscle. SPIRE-EIT 2019

5. Working in a team • Growth mindset important. • Always assume good intent. • There are complications… SPIRE-EIT 2019

6. Three Challenges of Working in Groups SPIRE-EIT 2019

7. Professor Problem #1 Does it have to feel hierarchical? Grad Grad Grad U-grad U-grad U-grad U-grad Power Distance SPIRE-EIT 2019

8. Problem #2 What if life experience has taught you that your voice isn’t important? SPIRE-EIT 2019

9. Diversity “Problem” #3 SPIRE-EIT 2019

10. What might you see in a group when these problems are present? High power distance / dominant leader Voice not valued Diversity of backgrounds and personalities Some people get overpowered. Challenges to confidence Diffusion of responsibility Stereotype Threat SPIRE-EIT 2019

11. Stereotype Threat • What you feel when you’re about to do something where your performance might demonstrate a negative stereotype. • Just the worry makes you choke. SPIRE-EIT 2019

12. Stereotype Threat Choose either: women or under-represented minorities who have high math SAT scores. Give them a math exam. Remind half of race or gender before taking the exam. Tell half the exam has no gender or racial bias. Perform significantly worse than white males. Perform the same as white males. SPIRE-EIT 2019

13. Identity Tags No one will see your tags unless you share. • Write down attributes of your identity. • Group them based on what you can change vs. not. SPIRE-EIT 2019

14. Identity Tags • Write down attributes of your identity. • Group them based on what you can change vs. not. How do these identity attributes affect you? How do your identity attributes affect others? Can be hard to talk about. SPIRE-EIT 2019

15. Why "I don't see color" is not helpful. • You adjust conversations based on who's around you all the time. Jokes about other teams with their fans A part of being aware of your impact on people, so why not consider gender and race? That opinionated uncle at family gatherings SPIRE-EIT 2019

16. You may be a jerk and not know it. "manspreading" SPIRE-EIT 2019

17. What is Privilege? SPIRE-EIT 2019

18. White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack • I can if I wish arrange to be in the company of people of my race most of the time. • I can go shopping alone most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followed or harassed. • I can go into a hairdresser’s shop and find someone who can cut my hair. • I can swear or dress in second-hand clothes without having people attribute these choices to the bad morals, the poverty, or the illiteracy of my race. SPIRE-EIT 2019

19. How does all this affect group dynamics? SPIRE-EIT 2019

20. A lot of joy at work comes from relationships. SPIRE-EIT 2019

21. Role Assignments • Scribe • Time keeper • Facilitator • Reporter? SPIRE-EIT 2019

22. How to Brainstorm • Go around. Each member contributes or passes. • The scribe writes it down. • Brainstorming ends when everyone passes or time is up. • Generate as many ideas as possible. • No discussion. No criticism. • Being inspired by others’ ideas is good. SPIRE-EIT 2019

23. Question • What are your concerns / fears about doing research? Assign roles. Brainstorm for 4 minutes Report out. Thank your teammates. SPIRE-EIT 2019

24. Role Assignments • Scribe • Time keeper • Facilitator • Reporter? How did you do? SPIRE-EIT 2019

25. Group Processing • Make time for it. • “Let's list three things our group is doing well today and one thing we could improve.” • Be specific not general • Get everyone involved in processing SPIRE-EIT 2019

26. Teams have: Task work & Team work A good team thinks about both. SPIRE-EIT 2019

27. Promotive Interactions • Help each other be right, not wrong. • Look for ways to make new ideas work, not for reasons they won’t. • If in doubt, check it out. Don’t make assumptions. • Help each other win and take pride in each other’s victories. • Speak positively about each other and your organization at every opportunity. • Maintain a positive mental attitude. • Act with initiative and courage as if it all depends on you. • Do everything with enthusiasm. • Don’t lose faith in team members. • Have fun! This work based on Affinity Research Groups by Ann Gates & Steve Roach SPIRE-EIT 2019

28. Values Important to You • Write down 2-3 values that are most important to you (e.g., family, friendships, music ability, faith, etc.). • Then write down a brief paragraph about why those values are important to you; could include a story or example. • No one will read this but you, later in the summer. • Give me your envelopes on Monday. SPIRE-EIT 2019

29. Project Planning SPIRE-EIT 2019

30. How to Plan Define mission & overall goal Map tasks to goals WHAT: For tasks, what are the deliverables? HOW: For tasks, what are the activities? WHEN: Create timeline WHO: Roles How will you know if you reached your goal? • SMART goals • Specific • Measureable • Achievable • Realistic • Time-bound SPIRE-EIT 2019

31. Draft Milestones – What are yours? • Week 3: Problem Area Paragraph • Week 4: IRB Application Drafted • Week 5: Research QuestionWeek 5: Literature Review ParagraphWeek 5: Methods Paragraph • Week 6: Mid-Project Oral Presentations • Week 7: Poster Draft • Week 8: Research Paper Draft • Week 9: Final Poster Due • Week 10: Final Research Paper Due SPIRE-EIT 2019