Work

Graduate student views of leadership and team structure in a self-guided instructional laboratory setting

Year: 2025

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: Effective collaboration is an essential skill for scientists, particularly in rapidly evolving, interdisciplinary fields such as quantum engineering.The Quantum Engineering Centre for Doctoral Training at the University of Bristol prepares PhD students to join this dynamic workforce through a combination of theoretical courses and team-based laboratory courses in their first year.In this study, we examine student views on teamwork within one of these lab courses, using a framework based on the Adaptive Instrument for Regulation of Emotions survey.We found that a lack of designated leadership roles and clear team structure led to specific challenges that students had to overcome.Furthermore, developing leadership skills was a primary teamwork goal for students, but they were often concerned that there would not be enough opportunities to attain this goal.This work can provide guidance to programs and instructors in developing more effective teamwork structures in laboratory courses.

Source: Physics Education Research Conference (PERC)

DOI: 10.1119/perc.2025.pr.price

Authors: Aaron Price, Kristin A. Oliver, Victoria Borish, Carrie A. Weidner, Bethany R. Wilcox, H. J. Lewandowski

Institutions: University of Colorado Boulder, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics, University of Bristol

Language: English

Topic: Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods

Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Science Foundation, University of Colorado Boulder