Interdisciplinary Training For Future Leaders Through The Create-Redevelop Graduate Student Program

Abstract

REDEVELOP is a graduate student training program funded by the NSERC-CREATE grant, starting in 2017. Its goal is to support the training of new professionals and researchers (> 100) who will be the next generation of science and engineering leaders and policymakers in Canada. The program has successfully developed a framework for operating almost completely virtually, well ahead of the world's transition to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our psychology lab, The Individual and Team Performance (ITP) lab, has dedicated over a decade to researching and designing tools that enhance specific training and skill growth necessary for effective remote teamwork. In partnership with the REDEVELOP program, we support students in navigating the unique interpersonal and collaboration challenges posed by virtual team environments. We will discuss how a complex and multidisciplinary program succeeds in training graduate students to become stronger academics, practitioners, and communicators of knowledge.