Writing for the Vanier Dr. Danine Farquharson daninef@mun.ca

Communicate brilliantly Research Experience and Potential The Vanier wants Leaders of Tomorrow Leaders of Tomorrow can: Communicate brilliantly Showcase their skills Leaders of Tomorrow have: Academic Excellence Research Experience and Potential Leadership Skills

An Outstanding Research program must articulate Your research history and the impact of your past research activities Your potential to be a leader of tomorrow Your passion The sphere of influence of your research In your content area In the Canadian research community In the international research community In society at large

Research Contributions (one page only) List Top 5 – no more, no less Describe your role Offer reasons for your choice of medium Detail collaborations, if any Outline the significance and impact Detail the significance for your own research leadership Detail the impact on your own career goals

Leadership Statement (2 pages) What you must discuss: Personal achievements Roles in professional associations, sports, the arts, business Foreign travel or study Mentoring/teaching/supervisory work Civic engagement: student politics, social activisim Project management: committee work, organizational work Volunteer/community work: charities, not-for-profits

Leadership Statement   Must be more than a simple list of accomplishments Speak about evidence of your success/impact/effectiveness Focus on actions you took rather than positions held How have your leadership skills helped you achieve your goals? Use words/comments from other sources as evidence how you created opportunities for yourself how you motivated others how you took responsibility how you overcame obstacles how you effected change

Some questions you could answer in Leadership statement:   What led you to doctoral research? How have your life experiences and personal circumstances (which may include administrative responsibilities, maternity/parental leave, childrearing, illness, cultural or community responsibilities, socio-economic context, trauma and loss, or health-related family responsibilities) shaped your academic, research, and leadership choices, challenges, and successes? How has your life driven you to share and disseminate your research? How does your nominating institution provide an environment that nurtures your leadership skills?

Leadership Statement (one page only) Discuss how you have: Show that you have: Motivated and supported others Self-management (set goals) Created opportunities for yourself Integrity (core ethics, personal accountability Taken responsibility Empathy (concern for others) Effected change Overcome barriers

Key Words/Phrases Creative Curious Embrace complexity Realistic Courageous Strategic Solution focussed Extraordinary results Real problems Engaged in society Supportive Meaningful change