Weaving the Future of Animal Behavior (WFAB)
The founding of Weaving the Future of Animal Behavior (WFAB) in 2019 followed on the heels of similar initiatives, including Women Evolving the Biological Sciences, WEBS (Horner-Devine et al. 2016) and the BRAINS program (Yen et al. 2017). Together with WFAB, these initiatives focus on the critical transition from postdoctoral positions to permanent research and teaching positions. WFAB is a professional development initiative focused on scientific advancement. We believe strongly in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the animal behavior sciences.
Elements central and crucial to our professional development workshops include, (1) strictly confidential discussions; (2) common social identity among participants (i.e., career stage and field of research); (3) sharing perspectives and strategies across career stages; and (4) establishing a national (and international) network and peer cohort through the formation of POP circles. We run various workshops and symposia, and in 2023 we offer a 3-part workshop series that includes two online meetings with participants and an in-person meeting the day before the ABS meeting in Portland, Oregon. Discussions and panels for postdocs and early career faculty address:
One of the most important functions of WFAB is to organize peer-mentoring circles (POP circles) that frequently last far beyond the workshops. Early career researchers are organized into groups of 4 to 10. We guide them through a structured process of discussing their professional and personal challenges together. These POP circles run bi-weekly over Zoom, often for multiple years. Such peer-mentoring circles are commonly empowering and transformative to participants.
For more information, check out:
Yen, J.W., Horner-Devine, M.C., Margherio, C. and Mizumori, S.J., 2017. The BRAINS program: transforming career development to advance diversity and equity in neuroscience. Neuron, 94(3), pp.426-430.
Horner-Devine, M.C., Carrigan, C., Grant, C., Margherio, C., Mizumori, S.J., Riskin, E., Ivy, J.S. and Yen, J., 2022. Peer coaching circles for ongoing faculty development. Handbook of STEM Faculty Development, p.375.
Shelton, D.S., Delgado, M.M., Greenway, E.V., Hobson, E.A., Lackey, A.C., Medina-García, A., Reinke, B.A., Trillo, P.A., Wells, C.P. and Horner-Devine, M.C., 2021. Expanding the landscape of opportunity: Professional societies support early-career researchers through community programming and peer coaching. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 135(4), p.439.
Elements central and crucial to our professional development workshops include, (1) strictly confidential discussions; (2) common social identity among participants (i.e., career stage and field of research); (3) sharing perspectives and strategies across career stages; and (4) establishing a national (and international) network and peer cohort through the formation of POP circles. We run various workshops and symposia, and in 2023 we offer a 3-part workshop series that includes two online meetings with participants and an in-person meeting the day before the ABS meeting in Portland, Oregon. Discussions and panels for postdocs and early career faculty address:
- How to find multiple mentors in the areas you need
- Setting up new collaborations
- Getting an academic job and the first two years
- The formation of peer-mentoring circles (more on this below)
One of the most important functions of WFAB is to organize peer-mentoring circles (POP circles) that frequently last far beyond the workshops. Early career researchers are organized into groups of 4 to 10. We guide them through a structured process of discussing their professional and personal challenges together. These POP circles run bi-weekly over Zoom, often for multiple years. Such peer-mentoring circles are commonly empowering and transformative to participants.
For more information, check out:
Yen, J.W., Horner-Devine, M.C., Margherio, C. and Mizumori, S.J., 2017. The BRAINS program: transforming career development to advance diversity and equity in neuroscience. Neuron, 94(3), pp.426-430.
Horner-Devine, M.C., Carrigan, C., Grant, C., Margherio, C., Mizumori, S.J., Riskin, E., Ivy, J.S. and Yen, J., 2022. Peer coaching circles for ongoing faculty development. Handbook of STEM Faculty Development, p.375.
Shelton, D.S., Delgado, M.M., Greenway, E.V., Hobson, E.A., Lackey, A.C., Medina-García, A., Reinke, B.A., Trillo, P.A., Wells, C.P. and Horner-Devine, M.C., 2021. Expanding the landscape of opportunity: Professional societies support early-career researchers through community programming and peer coaching. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 135(4), p.439.
