phd - Any suggestions to create and maintain a good research atmosphere

I am starting my PhD in Computer Science next semester in a relatively small department (around 20 faculty members). I have been to the university a few times and I noted the collaboration among students is minimal. My prospective supervisor, most likely, is willing to help me in any research activity I propose that will increase the number of projects and publications with collaboration among students.

Thus, I am asking for different suggestions/tips of activities one can do or propose to increase the collaboration and the knowledge exchange among students/faculty members.

My question is on two levels:
1. What activities/set ups can a PhD student do/propose at the group level? (i.e. between you and other students with the same supervisor). FYI, the group is around 10 students. My supervisor is going to set up a group presentation every two weeks.

2. What activities/proposals/set ups can one suggest at the departmental level? (I was thinking of a weekly talk over coffee for graduate students in the department.)

Answer

There are so many group-binding activities that you can imagine… I’ll try to list just a few ideas specific to an academic setting:

• Journal club, the obvious choice


• Friday’s coffee and pastries, or Tuesday’s four o’ clock tea sessions, followed by flash updates (news from the group, recent awards, publications, maybe one existential technical question that someone raises, etc.)



• Graduate students seminars: organizing seminars specifically tailored for graduate students (but inviting all those who may want to come, of course). Possible topics include early career path presentation and advice, motivational speakers (e.g. Jorge Cham from PhD comics fame), teaching skills (for TA’s), etc.


• Encourage participation in group life: elect students’ representative to lab council or other local boards, hold regular meetings to talk about the practical aspects of your life, organize activities centered around your office space (cleaning day, fire safety day, first responder training).


• Participate in competitions in (or near) your field, if there are any (competitions, olympiads, etc.)

All events, even if some seem only remotely relevant to the pursuit of your academic happiness, will increase group cohesion and maintain a good research atmosphere.

For all such events, favour informal settings and try to take as little time as possible. People already have heavy schedules, and they can make room for small activities but probably not a weekly two-hours setting. Brown bag seminar is one way of achieving this.