Challenges for faculty from schools with Smaller Eda programs

1. Challenges for faculty from schools with Smaller Eda programs Yiorgos Makris Associate Professor, Departments of EE & CS Yale University DAC Young Faculty Workshop --- July 27, 2009

2. Universities with small EDA programs • Eclectic, mostly private, schools with focus on liberal arts and low emphasis on engineering • Traditional EE/CS departments heavy in applied science rather than engineering • Newer schools trying to build up in the area • Does size matter? • It sure does!!! Especially if your area requires heavy development to facilitate research • But “small” does not mean “inadequate”

3. Challenge (1): Limited Infrastructure • Lab space • Equipment • Software tools • Possible Remedies: • Prepare concise proposal - educate the department • Invest the time/money to build up & learn • Leverage “teaching needs” to fund infrastructure • Make use of educational discounts • Seek donations from industry

4. Challenge (2): Limited Manpower • Ability to attract high-quality students • Collaboration opportunities • Technical support • Possible Remedies: • Active pre-emptive recruiting, use your contacts • Keep an open mind: true interdisciplinary research may hold far more potential • Cast your net wide: collaborate across schools • Play along: IT usually curious to learn new things

5. Challenge (3): Limited Knowledge • Pertinent graduate courses • In-house collective expertise • CAD research culture • Possible Remedies: • Hold weekly meetings, mix it up, make it fun • Start a seminar, invite high-profile colleagues • Expose your group to technical meetings • Educational opportunities (DASS, CADathlon, etc.) • Leverage collaborations to challenge your students

6. Challenge (4): Limited Visibility • Industrial contacts • Federal government agencies • “Research center” accessibility • Possible Remedies: • Student & visiting faculty summer positions • Introduce research portfolio to program directors • Short visits with “research center” schools • Contacts may help but technical content is the key • Remember: it takes time… be persistent but patient

7. Challenge (5): Limited Mentorship • Feedback on research topics • Guidance in seeking funds, grant writing, etc. • Championing (committees, awards, etc.) • Possible Remedies: • Talk to people… Informal feedback is very effective • Find external mentor, make it official if possible • Get yourself invited to proposal review panels • Volunteer your time, community will bring you up • Ask… but don’t be a pest

8. Challenge (6): Limited Understanding • Definition of impact • Appreciation of contributions • Calibration of departmental expectations • Possible Remedies: • Semi-annual discussion with Chair • Educate your mentor, use success story examples • Have your visitors meet the senior faculty • Publicize achievements in your field • Make yourself visible and sought after

9. Summary • Longer lead time and additional effort needed: view as opportunity rather than impediment • Don’t complain – explain:be prepared to educate your department • Choose your battles wisely:remember that change happens slowly • Understand the constraints & be flexible:adversity is not always your enemy

10. Summary (cont’d) • Position yourself at the driver’s seat: leverage connections, emit positive outlook • Make yourself known in your community: compete on quality, not quantity • Take advantage of personal feel of small places: make yourself an integral part of department • Have fun!!! It’s your choice to be there after all:if truly unhappy, be prepared to make a change