TPSC Kōrero

The TPSC Kōrero is a monthly event for all members of the TPSC Community to come together, engage, and discuss. Kōrero means engagement/discussion/meeting in Māori, the language of the indigenous people of mainland New Zealand. TPSC Director Dr. David Schmale spent a year and a half in New Zealand as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar, and had the great fortune of participating in many different kōrero across the country. These were often exciting and engaging events that celebrated partnerships, honored cultural differences, and engendered new ideas and directions.

2025 Kōreros

1/24- The theme of this Kōrero was AI. TPSC faculty affiliate Dr. Song Li shared some exciting bits from a recent AI workshop at Google, and Matthew Vollmer (Professor of English, Virginia Tech) discussed AI and the 'Art of Asking'. 

2/28- The theme of this Kōrero was teaching excellence. Tiffany Shoop shared resources from Virginia Tech's Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) and the Center for Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL). Molly Ryan spoke about the Academy for Outstanding Graduate Pedagogy (AOGP) at Virgina Tech, and Dr. Schmale spoke about the Academy of Teaching Excellence (ATE) at Virginia Tech. 

3/28- This Kōrero featured introductions and discussions with the new TPSC Sounding Board. The Sounding Board was formed to amplify the voice of the TPSC Community. They will assist in providing feedback and diverse perspectives on TPSC ideas and processes. The Board will help facilitate collaborative discussions and encourage dialogue about practices that are innovative and inclusive. 

4/24- The theme of this Kōrero was philanthropy and industry collaborations, which are increasingly important pathways for advancing research, building partnerships, and sustaining innovation in the current funding landscape. 

2024 Kōreros

10/25- The theme of this Kōrero was partnerships. Drs. McDowell, Sherif, Bargmann, and Westwood discussed faculty partnerships, Dr. Zhang discussed industry partnerships, and Dr. Reed discussed mentoring partnerships.

11/22- The theme of this Kōrero was global engagement. Faculty affiliates spoke about their recent sabbaticals in Argentina (Dr. Whitehead) and Israel (Dr. Collakova). International partners across campus (Dr. Archibald, Executive Director, Center for International Research, Education, and Development & Dr. Agnew, Associate Director, CALS Global) spoke about current and future activities, and potential avenues of collaboration. 

12/19- The theme of this Kōrero was celebrating TPSC graduate students. New students in our Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program (IGEP) spoke about their lab rotations from the past semester.