Developing Research Program

[kerprof]

From a Science / Engineering disciplines perspective, please provide your insights on how did you develop your research program?

Please share any words of wisdom to develop a successful research program.

[mleok]

My advice is that a poorly performing graduate student can be a substantial negative drain on your research productivity, and it is sometimes better to have one less graduate student, than have a weak graduate student.

[theteacher]

• Write many funding grants (and do it early).
• Never work with lazy or self-entitled students.
• Never tie yourself to only one senior colleague (otherwise, your contribution will be eaten, and you may not be acknowledged).
• Start to build early connections with the industry. More and more funding is targeted at linking academia and industry.
• Keep boundaries with your students (otherwise, many students will exploit you).
• Diversity is very healthy in research groups, so never recruit students from one background.
• Take care of your health and sanity.
• Also, "hire fast, fire faster" doesn't work in academia, as you will be seen as a poor supervisor. So take your time before saying "yes" to any new student.

[Kate]

• Write many funding grants (and do it early).
• Never work with lazy or self-entitled students.
• Never tie yourself to only one senior colleague (otherwise, your contribution will be eaten, and you may not be acknowledged).
• Start to build early connections with the industry. More and more funding is targeted at linking academia and industry.
• Keep boundaries with your students (otherwise, many students will exploit you).
• Diversity is very healthy in research groups, so never recruit students from one background.
• Take care of your health and sanity.
• Also, "hire fast, fire faster" doesn't work in academia, as you will be seen as a poor supervisor. So take your time before saying "yes" to any new student.

Oh, thank you very much! This is a very good advice.