Report on the session "Collaborations: How Can We Communicate about Assessment across Disciplinary Cultures?"
 
(Saturday Assessment Breakout Session B 2).
Attendance = 50+

Moderator: Mitch Malachowski 
Reporter: David Lopatto

In a well-attended session (more than 50 participants) Mitch Malachowski led a discussion of the topic. The discussion was enhanced by the attendance of members who represented humanities, social science, education and library science. Mitch began the discussion by observing that CUR has a real interest in undergraduate research across the disciplines, and suggested we look for commonalities in goals and in practices. 

The discussion was wide ranging. Nevertheless, many of the comments clustered around four topics, including goals, resources, communication and education. On each topic the discussion moved between the two poles of recommendations for CUR and recommendations for individuals returning to their home institutions. 

Goals. The participants were reminded of CUR's goal to enhance the environment for undergraduate research. It was observed that CUR's structure is disciplinary; CUR's organization might be changed in a manner more consistent with the overarching goal. Participants discussed their personal goals, most often to improve the climate for undergraduate research at their institutions by convincing colleagues and administrators of its worth and by securing funding for undergraduate research. 

Resources. Participants had suggestions for how CUR might provide resources to members including an annotated bibliography of the most relevant assessment publications in each field and resources from other professional groups such as those representing engineering and sociology, where assessment work has been published. Participants suggested that they need help on their home campuses in "framing the questions" for undergraduate research and in educating faculty colleagues across disciplines. 

Communication. Participants look to CUR to increase lines of communication with other professional associations. It was suggested that CUR increase its attention to nonscience disciplines and act as a model for communication across disciplines. Participants discussed how individuals might overcome resistance to change in the departments and divisions of their home institutions. Assessment may be misunderstood; faculty members may think it is to be used for personnel evaluation. It was suggested that individuals attempt to understand the diverse cultures of different disciplines. One observer noted that on her campus when a meeting is called on an interdisciplinary topic the science faculty are unlikely to attend. 

Education. Participants suggested that CUR educate by becoming a model of a cross-disciplinary organization. Advice for individuals attempting to instigate organizational change on their home campus ranged from working with a single individual (e.g., "take a humanist to lunch") to educating the faculty (e.g., give assessment workshops across disciplines).