Who are the participants?

This event is probably unlike most you have attended. The participants all have a common goal: to return to their institution and implement or improve instruction on professional development and ethics.  However, beyond that they represent quite a diverse group. They typically come from a broad range of schools, from large, research intensive universities, to small colleges, as well as professional societies, and government agencies.  In general, most of the participants are faculty, administrators, and staff.  And around half of the individuals come from the biomedical sciences, though participants from other disciplines, including engineering, business, the social sciences, and humanities, have also found the experience to be an outstanding one. Most individuals are from institutions in the United States though we have also accepted participants from other countries including Australia, Brazil, Kenya, and South Africa.

How are the participants selected?
Individuals must agree to attend the entire conference, Sunday afternoon through Friday evening (June 8-13, 2008), establish or improve an existing course in survival skills and/or ethics at their institution by Fall 2009 for at least 25 individuals per year, and participate in evaluating the course they establish. This evaluation will include surveying the participants of that course and providing the conference organizers with additional information such as a description of the program and permission to conduct an on-site, follow-up evaluation.

Among those who meet the above requirements, preference is given to individuals who will train the largest numbers of students, have a detailed plan for implementation of instruction, will provide training to a significant number of individuals from underserved populations, and show evidence of institutional support for this project (e.g., funding, release time, etc.)

What is the deadline for applying to participate in the conference?
Applications are considered on a rolling basis, and individuals will be notified of the outcome within a month of the receipt of their application.

What is the cost of the conference?
The conference package costs $1,450, which includes (1) an extensive set of materials for use in teaching survival skills and ethics (e.g., sample syllabi, slides, handouts, exercises, and an extensive bibliography) as well as the materials to be used on-site at the conference, (2) meals and coffee breaks, (3) lodging (double occupancy), (4) the conference registration fee, and (5) taxes and service fees. Meals and lodging are covered for the period of Sunday afternoon (June 8) through and including Friday night (June 13). Should you prefer your own room, add $365.

Travel fellowships are available to cover all but $395 of the cost of the conference package.  Fellowships range in size according to need, and a full fellowship would cover travel to and from the conference site, lodging (double occupancy), meals, registration fee, and taxes and service fees.

How do I apply?
Please submit an online application. Only two members from the same Institution will be permitted to attend the conference. We encourage two members of the same institution to apply together to assist with the implementation of the program once you get back. However, you should review the list of institutions to verify the past representation of your institution.

This page was updated 2/20/08