When you're in grad school and doing awesome work, it's not uncommon to experience imposter syndrome: doubting your abilities and feeling like a fraud in your work. In this GradLIFE podcast, join Lisa Abston (Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion here in the Graduate College) and Darrien Watson (fourth-year PhD student in the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism) for a discussion ranging from the emotions of graduate study and experiences with feeling like an imposter in academia to practical tips and strategies for keeping your way when imposter syndrome rears its head.

Watch your email for a message from the survey vendor, Joshua Patterson at SoundRocket, with your unique link to participate. As announced by Chancellor Jones, survey responses will help our academic leaders and campus community take concrete steps to create an inclusive and equitable campus climate. Every voice matters. The survey takes about 15 mins. All survey participants have a chance to receive an Amazon gift card worth up to $50, University of Illinois apparel, and other items for taking the time to complete the survey. More information is available at go.illinois.edu/AllCampusSurvey.

Attend this info session to learn more about an exciting new opportunity that brings together experts and peers from 3 universities (University of Pretoria, South Africa; Federal University Pelotas, Brazil; and UIUC) for a 14-week seminar. Participants will interact with other countries to explore interdisciplinary knowledge and cross-cutting themes. Focus areas include: public health, economic impact, policy/politics, media/communications. Grad students from all disciplines are welcome to apply. There are no pre-requisites but students must be enrolled in an on-campus graduate degree program.

The university community may post written or printed materials regarding any non-commercial topic on general campus bulletin boards and general campus kiosks. Attaching written or printed materials to university property other than a designated area, including but not limited to statues, doors, light posts, utility poles, walls, trees and trash cans, is prohibited and will be removed by university staff. View the policy.

Demonstrations are an important means of expression and are protected by the First Amendment. The Demonstration Response Plan provides general guidance to our campus community concerning our response to demonstrations consistent with our shared priorities and institutional values. We encourage individuals and groups who plan to use the university as a site for expressive activity to contact the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and/or the University of Illinois Police Department in advance so we can assist in making your event or peaceful demonstration successful and safe.

The Food Assistance and Wellbeing Program (on-campus food pantry) will be providing Grocery Bag Pick Up on Tuesday 11/21 from 12-2pm at CRCE front desk. Each bag will include a selection of non-perishable food items, grains, and snacks. Please present your I-card upon pickup. Limit one bag per person. First comes first served. 

Budgeting, in general, can be hard, but throw in the holidays, and it can be even more stressful! We invite you to join us on Zoom for a free talk on "Budgeting for the Holidays," featuring U of I Extension Finances Educator Emily Harmon. In this free workshop, you will better understand basic budgeting concepts, tools, and tips to reach your financial goals and get through the season with your wallet intact. This event is open to all NCSA and campus affiliates, colleagues, and friends.

Do you study a less commonly taught language (any language except French, German, and Spanish)? Are you a U.S. citizen or permanent resident? If so, come to a virtual information session on the Foreign Language & Area Studies (FLAS) fellowship! Academic Year FLAS fellows receive up to $18,000 for tuition and a $20,000 stipend, and Summer FLAS fellows receive up to $5,000 for tuition and a $3,500 stipend. We will discuss eligibility and requirements, walk you through the application, and answer questions about the application process and the fellowship. Register here.

If you are a doctoral student planning to deposit your dissertation for August graduation, get a head start by taking your exit surveys now! These surveys will only take a few minutes for you to complete, and (if you take them before you submit your document to the Thesis Office) it will make the deposit process move much more quickly. You can learn more about these surveys on the Thesis Office website. Remember – you cannot deposit your dissertation until the Thesis Office receives notification that you have completed these surveys.

Do you have questions about formatting your thesis? Do you want to know more about the deposit process? Do you have questions about preliminary and final exam committees? The Thesis Office is here to help! Sign up here for an online, 15-minute appointment with Emily on Tuesday, November 14.

During Fall Break, the Career Center will be offering limited services, with one-on-one appointments on November 20 and 21 only. All drop-in services are canceled. The office will be closed on November 22, 23, and 24 and will reopen on Monday, November 27 at 8:30 a.m. 

The Center for Writing Studies will be offering an online, two-day introductory Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) seminar on January 9th & 10th, 2024 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm CT. This professional development seminar is a great way for TAs from all departments to learn more about teaching writing, responding to writing, and using writing to support learning. Participants will receive a $135 stipend for participating. Space is limited. Teaching assistants may register at https://go.illinois.edu/WACRegistrationSP24 through December 15, 2023.

Finish the semester the "write" way! Our hybrid writing group provides graduate students with dedicated time to make progress on thesis or dissertation writing in a supportive atmosphere. Each meeting consists of a short goal-setting conversation, quiet writing time, and a concluding reflection and wrap-up. Use this time to create or return to a writing routine, make progress and meet deadlines on long-term projects, or jump-start a new writing project. You only need to register once with your U of I email to receive weekly email reminders all semester!

During this interactive workshop, we will uncover our cognitive, mental, and emotional barriers to writing; discover writing tips and techniques; and freewrite through the discomfort. This event will be held through Zoom. It is open to current University of Illinois affiliates (students, faculty, and staff). Please register with your University of Illinois email account by 11:59pm CT on November 14, and we will send an email with the Zoom meeting invitation on the morning of the event. 

This is an online series that seeks to illuminate the diversity of sources and their use in different disciplines and fields. Through informal conversations, this series will discuss the availability, searchability, accessibility, and dissemination of sources, as well as challenges faced by scholars in search of these invaluable materials. From footnotes and references in articles to perennial handbooks and guides, the awareness of sources affect the research and writing experiences of scholars. Participants will hear perspectives from students, established scholars, and librarians. 

Open peer review is one of the initiatives of the open access movement. There is no universal definition for open peer review and its characteristics may be implemented in several scholarly journals to compose an open peer review model. This workshop will introduce you to the terminology, definitions, and characteristics of open peer review, including the pros and cons, and challenges to acceptance and implementation by the scientific community.

Navigating the intricacies of law is essential for researchers across various academic disciplines. Whether you're a student, a scholar, or simply someone interested in a policy issue, understanding how to locate federal and state court decisions, statutes, regulations, and interpretive legal sources is crucial. Join this Savvy Researcher workshop to learn how to locate federal and state bills, statutes, regulations, and court decisions, along with invaluable insights into the formation of laws.

Learn more about the literature review's purpose and gain tips for writing an effective one, either as a stand-alone piece or part of a larger project. Graduate writers from any discipline are welcome. This is an online event and will be held through Zoom. It is open to current University of Illinois affiliates (students, faculty, and staff). Please register with your University of Illinois email account by 11:59pm CT on November 13, and we will send an email with a Zoom meeting invitation on the morning of the event.

Are you preparing for an upcoming conference? Need to design a poster for your class? This workshop will give you tools for communicating your research for academic conferences and professional meetings in a concise and visually effective poster presentation. This event is co-sponsored by the University Library, the Writers Workshop, and the Office of Undergraduate Research.  

In a world driven by data, the ability to navigate government statistics and data is a valuable skill. Whether you're a researcher, student, or simply curious, this workshop is your gateway to understanding the fundamental tools, resources, and strategies for locating and utilizing government statistics and data effectively. Attendees will learn about the major federal government and intergovernmental organizations' statistics and data as well as strategies to search for these statistical sources.

NCSA is conducting a survey on training needs among University researchers for research computing technology training needs. Your feedback will help us understand their challenges using research computing and develop training programs tailored to meet those needs. The survey is entirely anonymous and it takes 2-5 minutes to complete: https://go.ncsa.illinois.edu/TrainingNeedsSurvey

This is a session in which podcasters learn tips and tricks for more advanced audio editing, including incorporating sounds effects, adding music, and more.

At any given time, more than 100,000 of our neighbors in eastern Illinois are facing food insecurity. Help us "stuff the squad" and put meals on the tables of local families this holiday season. University of Illinois Police are holding a friendly competition with other local police to see who can bring the most food donations. Visit the Public Safety website to find donation times and locations.

Volunteers needed for the Champaign-Urbana FIRST Lego League Robotics Tournament on December 2 at the Electrical & Computer Engineering Building. Support young STEM-enthusiasts by volunteering as a judge, monitor, field-resetter, etc.. No experience necessary. Training provided. Sign up here or contact Lara Hebert at the link below for more information.

Facilities & Services have teamed up with the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center Technical Assistance Program for an examination of waste streams on campus. You can assist by joining a virtual focus group or filling out an online survey. Respond to questions on current waste management practices and suggest ideas for waste reduction and improved recycling. Virtual sessions begin Nov. 14; survey open until Dec. 4. For more information on the study and how to participate, visit https://uofi.box.com/s/8d411fctvf3xgrrtdak8tbf661wal8bd.

The Institute of Communications Research is hosting a Virtual Information Session on the PhD in Communications & Media. As the world’s oldest program for research and doctoral education in communication and media studies, the ICR has been a pioneer in interdisciplinary research methods and training. Housed in the College of Media, students draw on the resources of the ICR and units across the University of Illinois campus to develop flexible and dynamic programs of study at the cutting edge of media and communications studies. Register to join via Zoom: https://ow.ly/hKUE50Q2PGT

The Office of Technology Management is accepting applications for a new round of funding through the Illinois Proof-of-Concept program (IPOC). IPOC funds projects that help move UIUC research innovations closer to public use and positive societal impact. Proposals welcome from all disciplines. Awards up to $50,000. Apply by January 16, 2024.  More information: https://otm.illinois.edu/IPOC

Did you know there's quite a bit of fiber art at KAM? That's why we're excited to invite knitters, crocheters, and weavers to KAM for Knit & Sit! Bring your craft and join us for a weaver's circle in the galleries. All ages and experience levels are welcome! A limited amount of yarn and needles will be available for first-time knitters to use for learning. Anyone can receive a simple lesson in knitting, and all participants will get a chance to explore the art on display.

Enjoy some international snacks and drinks with cross-cultural learning activities. Sponsored by International Education and the Graduate College.

This lecture discusses the forthcoming exhibition (winter 2024) at the Saint Louis Museum of Art of the same title. The exhibition is the first ever to examine the influence of the sea across modernist artist Henri Matisse’s career, which included painting in coastal locations on the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and the Pacific. It will offer a particular focus on the iconic coastal picture, Bathers with a Turtle (1908, Saint Louis Art Museum), exploring the genesis and afterlife of this painting.

Celebrate the release of the CD The Altgeld Chimes: Songs for Our Dear Old Illinois with the Altgeld Ringers and the Music & Performing Arts Library! There will be brief remarks about the recording process, refreshments, and free copies of the CD available (while supplies last). 

ASCE TDI is hosting the upcoming Transportation Talk Series with Ehsan Rahimi, Senior Analyst at United Airlines’ Technical Operations Data Analytics (TODA). In this talk, Ehsan will share his experiences on Predictive Maintenance projects and continue with discussion highlighting career pathways and opportunities at United Airlines. Join us and get networking together!

The Education Justice Project is hosting a 4-part panel series bringing together international and national organizations to discuss how legislative, legal, and community action can spur and be used toward social justice. Our second panel on Wednesday, November 29 @ 12:00p CT focuses on prison monitoring and oversight. Join us on Zoom to learn from active practitioners and independent consultants working in Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, and countries around the world to increase transparency and accountability around detention centers and correctional facilities.

Please join us for the University Archives' monthly Women in Science Lecture Series on November 16 from 12 -1 pm. Dr. Sayeepriyadarshini “Sayee” Anakk, Associate Professor of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, will discuss her research on how bile acids and nuclear receptors affect liver metabolism and liver disease. This is a hybrid event and will take place in the University Archives, Main Library 146 or you can register for the zoom link.

Presented via webinar and in-person by J. Gary Eden - Intel Alumni Endowed Chair Emeritus in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This presentation will review rapidly-growing commercial applications of microcavity plasma devices.

Sandia National Laboratories is one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) 17 national labs at which amazing science is performed and difficult problems are tackled. In this talk, Shannon Murray and Laura Biedermann will give an overview of the breadth of research performed and career pathways at Sandia. They'll share their experiences joining Sandia as postdocs and our paths to research staff and highlight graduate internship, postdoctoral, and postdoctoral fellowship positions. Join us and get networking together!

The WRC's newest program,Girl Krush, will be cheering on Illinois Volleyball this Wednesday, November 15 @ 8pm at Huff Hall. Join the Women's Resources Center cheering section to help close the gender gap in sports AND experience these dynamic and captivating teams as they compete to be the best in the BIG 10. The first 20 students to present a valid i-card will receive a Girl Krush t-shirt. Learn more and sign up >

Join the AIFARMS team in NCSA's Auditorium or via Zoom for a free fall seminar on "IoT4Ag Technologies and Systems for Precision Agriculture," featuring Dr. Cherie Kagan from UPenn and NSF. In this talk, she will highlight examples of IoT4Ag technologies and their work to integrate them into systems to address significant challenges to agricultural crop yield, resiliency, and farm management.

Ever wonder why arranged marriage is prevalent even in contemporary India? What are some of its myths and parallels with love marriage? Join the discussion led by Meysiva, a graduate student from South India, who shares his experience of a traditional Hindu wedding and explores how marriage and the associated norms in India are influenced by the principles of Hinduism.  Dinner is provided. 

We all have good ideas from time to time, but how can we intentionally ideate to develop innovative solutions to complex problems? Learn about and practice collaborative, intentional ideation to generate ideas, communicate them to others, receive feedback, and keep iterating to generate groundbreaking solutions to real-world problems.

The International & Area Studies Library will be hosting the second International Cooking Show of the semester on Zoom & will send out the invitation link to all who sign up prior to the event starting. For this episode Dymtro Olyva, a student at UIUC, will be making a recipe for Ukrainian Pierogi for us. The recipe will also be shared with all attendees after the event, so you can take it home with you and try making it yourself over the fall break! Make sure you fill out the registration form in advance: https://forms.gle/M31fe5hUJdUbQ9te9 

McKinley Health Center serves on-campus students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

The University of Illinois Counseling Center provides mental health counseling and well-being education for students. 

If you or a student you know may need support with their basic needs or financial stressors, please reach out.